Opinion ID: 1884007
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Failure to make any Batson Challenges or Challenges for Cause

Text: ¶ 39. Golden's next assignment of error regarding ineffective assistance of counsel is that his [t]rial counsel made no objection or record on any possible Batson issue [and][h]ad no challenges for cause to the jury panel. Again, appellate counsel fails to cite any specific portion of the record or present any argument whatsoever that a Batson issue or challenge for cause could have, or should have, been made. As such, this Court is not required to address this argument. See Edwards, 800 So.2d at 468. Appellate counsel does not specify whether he claims a Batson challenge should have been made on the basis of race, gender or religion. Essentially, this Court is left to read the jury voir dire and determine whether or not any juror was struck on the basis of race, gender or religion in violation of Batson, despite the fact that no Batson challenges were made, and also whether any juror should have been struck for cause. With no guidance or citation to the record from appellate counsel to any possible Batson issues or reasons to strike a juror for cause, we find this argument has no merit.