Opinion ID: 2221604
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Inadequacy of the Record

Text: Defendant claims trial counsel was ineffective because he did not request opening statements, closing arguments, or voir dire be reported for the record. Oetken does not, however, assert any specific error occurred during the course of those proceedings, or that he was prejudiced as a result of his trial counsel's representation. Nor does he cite authority that requires an attorney solicit the memorialization of those events. Oetken simply alleges the omission resulted in the production of an inadequate record from which an appellate defender might elicit error. In State v. Newman, 326 N.W.2d 796 (Iowa 1982), we expressed an inclination to give a defendant the benefit of the doubt on the question of prejudice when a specific allegation of impropriety is leveled in a trial in which the court refuses to have arguments reported. Newman, 326 N.W.2d at 800. Such is not the case here. The district court did not prohibit the transcription of arguments. Nor does Oetken maintain anything untoward occurred during any stage of these proceedings. Defendant's claim is without merit.