Opinion ID: 853673
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Waiver of Ineffective Assistance of Trial Counsel

Text: Williams claims that the post-conviction court erred in concluding that he waived the issue of ineffective assistance of trial counsel by failing to raise it on direct appeal. We agree. In Woods v. State, 701 N.E.2d 1208 (Ind.1998), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 120 S.Ct. 150, 145 L.Ed.2d 128 (1999), we held that the claim of ineffective assistance of trial counsel is not waived if not raised on direct appeal, but may be presented in post-conviction proceedings. Id. at 1220. Because Williams did not raise the issue of ineffective assistance of trial counsel on direct appeal, we address it. See id. at 1222.