Opinion ID: 901120
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Whether counsel was ineffective rising to the point of plain error.

Text: [¶ 46.] Talarico claims he was denied a fair trial due to ineffective assistance of counsel. Talarico asserts that his attorney failed: 1) to secure a ruling on his objection to Lakin's testimony on the grounds of spousal communications, 2) to object to Lakin's testimony based on spousal privilege, 3) to investigate Talarico's defense strategy, 4) to determine whether the potential jurors were influenced by the remarks made by other jurors, and 5) to object to Jury Instruction No. 10 on specific intent. [¶ 47.] A claim for ineffective assistance of counsel is normally not addressed on direct appeal. State v. Picotte, 416 N.W.2d 881, 881 (S.D.1987). Claims of ineffective assistance of counsel are best addressed on habeas corpus proceedings. The purpose behind this rule is that a habeas proceeding allows the attorney to explain his actions and his tactics revealing a more complete picture of what occurred so that a meaningful review may be had. State v. Dillon, 2001 SD 97, ¶ 28, 632 N.W.2d 37, 48. We decline to address defendant's claim for ineffective assistance of counsel at this time.