Opinion ID: 1640733
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: whether counsel were ineffective in failing to investigate and present relevant facts about the arrest.

Text: ¶ 72. Howell maintains that his attorneys at trial failed to properly investigate and present evidence about the probation-violation warrant. Although Howell's trial attorneys presented arguments that the arrest had been illegal and sought suppression of any evidence resulting therefrom, Howell now claims that the attorneys should have investigated the clerk's notes from the May 15 hearing. He also claims that the attorneys should have questioned witnesses who were in the courtroom during the hearing. Howell asserts that his attorneys should have sought evidence in support of arguments that Howell had received an extension of his obligation to pay his probation officer. In its response, the State claims only that the validity of the warrant was raised on appeal. The State does not address the merits of the ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claim. As we have found that the arrest was legal, we find no deficiency on the part of Howell's attorneys; therefore, this issue is without merit.