Opinion ID: 2631798
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Application of procedural bars to Pellegrini's claims

Text: Pellegrini challenges the district court's determination that his claims were barred under the provisions of NRS 34.726 and NRS 34.810. [5] He does not dispute that, absent a demonstration of good cause and actual prejudice, his claims are barred under a plain reading of these statutes. But, relying primarily on legislative history, Pellegrini and amicus together argue that NRS 34.726 cannot be properly applied to successive petitions. Pellegrini also argues that this court is barred from applying NRS 34.810 to his claims due to what he characterizes as our prior inconsistent application of procedural bars. He additionally argues that, even if these statutes may be applied to his successive petition, he was entitled to an evidentiary hearing on his allegations that his noncompliance with the statutory filing requirements should be excused because of his incompetence and insanity. These contentions lack merit. NRS 34.726 provides for dismissal of habeas petitions based on delay in filing. It states, in part: 1. Unless there is good cause shown for delay, a petition that challenges the validity of a judgment or sentence must be filed within 1 year after entry of the judgment of conviction or, if an appeal has been taken from the judgment, within 1 year after the supreme court issues its remittitur. For the purposes of this subsection, good cause for delay exists if the petitioner demonstrates to the satisfaction of the court: (a) That the delay is not the fault of the petitioner; and (b) That dismissal of the petition as untimely will unduly prejudice the petitioner. NRS 34.810 provides for dismissal based on waiver and abusive filing of successive petitions. It states, in relevant part: 1. The court shall dismiss a petition if the court determines that: .... (b) The petitioner's conviction was the result of a trial and the grounds for the petition could have been: (1) Presented to the trial court; (2) Raised in a direct appeal or a prior petition for a writ of habeas corpus or post-conviction relief; or (3) Raised in any other proceeding that the petitioner has taken to secure relief from his conviction and sentence, unless the court finds both cause for the failure to present the grounds and actual prejudice to the petitioner. 2. A second or successive petition must be dismissed if the judge or justice determines that it fails to allege new or different grounds for relief and that the prior determination was on the merits or, if new and different grounds are alleged, the judge or justice finds that the failure of the petitioner to assert those grounds in a prior petition constituted an abuse of the writ. [6] 3. Pursuant to subsections 1 and 2, the petitioner has the burden of pleading and proving specific facts that demonstrate: (a) Good cause for the petitioner's failure to present the claim or for presenting the claim again; and (b) Actual prejudice to the petitioner. Both statutes require a petitioner to demonstrate a valid basis exists to excuse the procedural bars. [7] Otherwise, the district court must dismiss the petition without an evidentiary hearing. [8]