Opinion ID: 1366656
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Inadequate Trial Preparation

Text: Parsons contends that counsel spent inadequate time with him in preparing for the sentencing hearing. At the habeas proceeding, he testified that counsel spent only between four and five hours with him. Former defense counsel, on the other hand, testified that he spent about twenty hours with Parsons. Parsons argues that it is ineffective per se for counsel in a homicide case to meet with the defendant for between four and twenty hours. We decline to determine what amount of time counsel must spend with a defendant to ensure that the representation does not fall below an objective standard of reasonableness. Clearly, the time period will vary with every case. Rather, we dismiss Parsons' argument because he has not shown prejudice. He has not proffered any evidence that counsel overlooked information critical to the defense as a result of spending too little time with him in preparation. In the absence of this evidence, we cannot find that the outcome of the sentencing hearing would have been different if defense counsel had spent more time with Parsons.