Document: 454 U.S. 1 102 S.Ct. 18 70 L.Ed.2d Jack DUCKWORTH, Wardenv.Isadore SERRANO. No. 80-2041. Oct. 19, 1981. Page 2 PER CURIAM. The motion of respondent to proceed in forma pauperis and the petition for writ certiorari are granted. This habeas corpus case involves presentation a federal appellate court an ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claim that had never been raised state court. Respondent, Isadore Serrano, was convicted murder Debra Gomez Sunnyside Park, East Chicago, Ind. At trial, Norma Hernandez testified Serrano told her he killed Gomez. represented by William Walker. Upon cross-examination, Mrs. stated firm Walker & on traffic ticket past she asked represent pending robbery charge, unrelated slaying. did not challenge effectiveness counsel his appeal Indiana Supreme Court, which affirmed conviction, v. State, 266 126, 360 N.E.2d 1257 (1977), or before Federal District dismissed corpus. 3 issue first Court Appeals Seventh Circuit, reversed Court's dismissal grounds Serrano's attorney's representation prosecution witness constituted per se violation Sixth Amendment guarantee effective representation. 654 F.2d 725 (1981). While acknowledging ineffective-assistance argument presented courts, nevertheless decided "in view clear violation" respondent's rights interest judicial economy," there no reason await court's consideration issue. App. Pet. Cert. A-3. 4 No cases were cited support its decision. Nor could such reasonably be found.1 It has settled nearly century prisoner must normally exhaust available remedies can granted courts. Ex parte Royall, 117 241, 6 734, 29 L.Ed. 868 (1886); Hawk, 321 114, 64 448, 88 572 (1944); Irvin Dowd, 359 394, 404-405, 79 825, 831, 900 (1959); Nelson George, 399 224, 229, 90 1963, 1966, 26 578 (1970); Picard Connor, 404 270, 92 509, 30 438 (1971); Pitchess Davis, 421 482, 95 1748, 44 317 (1975). exhaustion requirement, now codified statute, 28 U.S.C. §§ 2254(b) (c),2 serves minimize friction between our systems justice allowing State initial opportunity pass upon correct alleged violations prisoners' rights. supra, U.S., at 275, S.Ct., 512; Wilwording Swenson, 249, 250, 407, 408, 418 (1971). An exception is made only if obtain redress corrective process so clearly deficient as render futile any effort relief. See, e.g., 512. courts "equally bound guard protect secured Constitution," 251, 740, here neither nor contends Indiana's postconviction procedures inadequate adjudicate claim.3 Because obvious constitutional errors, less than obscure transgressions, subject requirements § 2254(b), obligated dismiss petition. 5 Sound policy points same direction. Creating new "clear violations" would promote economy, but rather invite petitioners make practice seeking relief these Significantly more time resources consumed district examined merits determine whether met requisite level validity justify dispensing with requirement. likely most "clear" prisoners directed seek system. Moreover, even when found, considerations federal-state comity still inhere, it unseemly dual system government upset state-court conviction without affording violation. engrafted onto statute envisioned Congress, inconsistent mandate Act, irreconcilable decisions requiring remedies. Therefore, judgment reversed, remanded further proceedings consistent this opinion. 7 So ordered. 8 Justice MARSHALL dissents. Roberts LaVallee, 389 40, 194, 19 41 (1967), referred example where possibility success require denying relief, contrary. petitioner thoroughly exhausted remedies, we held, relying Brown Allen, 344 443, 449, n.3, 73 397, 403, 97 469 (1953), "Congress intended "to repetitious applications courts.' " 42, 195. Title 2254 provides pertinent part: "(b) application behalf person custody pursuant should unless appears applicant either absence existence circumstances rendering ineffective prisoner. "(c) shall deemed have within meaning section, right under law raise, procedure, question presented." Rules Procedure Post-Conviction Remedies, Rule 1, "(a) Any who of, sentenced for, crime state, claims "(1) sentence Constitution United States constitution laws * ". . may institute proceeding rule secure relief." Circuit previously recognized resort procedure necessary fully Evans Lane, 419 1337, cert. denied, 398 939, 1839, 273 944, 1858, 281 (1970).

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