Opinion ID: 2084428
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Trial Attorney Effective

Text: In an effort to overcome the procedural defaults that barred his first two arguments, Bialach also claims that his counsel provided ineffective assistance at trial and on appeal. In order to prevail on his claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, Bialach must show that his counsel's representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness and that, but for his counsel's unprofessional errors, there is a reasonable probability that the outcome of the proceedings would have been different. [14] Although not insurmountable, the Strickland standard is exacting and requires the application of a strong presumption that the representation was professionally reasonable. [15] Bialach's argument on appeal, alleging an ineffective assistance of counsel, is based principally on the contention that his attorney should have objected to the sleeping juror at trial and should have raised that claim on appeal. As noted earlier in this opinion, the affidavit filed by Bialach's trial counsel states that no juror slept through any portion of either the closing arguments or the trial judge's instructions to the jury. In addition, Bialach's attorney asserts that, if a juror had been asleep, he would have brought that situation to the trial judge's attention immediately. The record also indicates that the trial judge had no knowledge of a sleeping juror and concluded that the prosecutor's remark was intended to be humorous. Bialach has presented no evidence in support of his claim to contradict the affidavit filed by his trial attorney or the recollection of the trial judge. In the absence of a sleeping juror, there was no action to be taken by Bialach's attorney. Consequently, Bialach has failed to demonstrate that his defense counsel's conduct fell below reasonable standards.