Opinion ID: 2621193
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 16

Heading: Failure to object to exclusion of spectators

Text: Defendant contends that trial counsel's failure to object to the exclusion of the public at various points during the trial constituted ineffective assistance of counsel. Defendant's pro forma contention fails to address possible tactical considerations or the potentially legitimate contention that the brief closures were too trivial to constitute a violation of defendant's basic public trial right. (See People v. Woodward, supra, 4 Cal.4th at pp. 383-385, 14 Cal.Rptr.2d 434, 841 P.2d 954, and cases cited; see also Bowden v. Keane (2d Cir.2001) 237 F.3d 125, 128-129; Gonzalez v. Quinones (2d Cir.2000) 211 F.3d 735, 737-738; Peterson v. Williams (2d Cir. 1996) 85 F.3d 39, 40-41; Girtman v. Lockhart (8th Cir.1991) 942 F.2d 468, 471-472.) In addition, because the contention is that defendant's right to the effective assistance of counsel was violated, defendant is obliged to demonstrate prejudice, an obligation he fails to address. We reject defendant's claim.