Document: 405 U.S. 1 92 S.Ct. 759 30 L.Ed.2d 755 Jack BOYDv.A. L. DUTTON, Warden. No. 70—5075. Feb. 22, 1972. PER CURIAM. The petitioner, Boyd, pleaded guilty in a Georgia trial court to three counts of forging checks and one count possession forged check. He was not represented by lawyer. sentenced him serve 28 years prison—four consecutive terms seven each. No transcript that plea or sentencing proceeding exists. 2 sought habeas corpus relief the state court, alleging, among other things, he had been denied assistance counsel. An evidentiary hearing held, denied. appeal dismissed Supreme Court. petitioner then filed petition for Federal District Court, which without hearing, basing its decision on record post-conviction proceeding. Court Appeals Fifth Circuit affirmed, Boyd v. Smith, 435 F.2d 153. 3 At where also counsel, only witness State question waiver counsel at arraignment man named Dunnaway, who present arraignment, as Deputy Sheriff Terrell County, Georgia. According prosecutor told entitled legal would appoint lawyer if could afford one. By Dunnaway's account, asked wanted lawyer, replied did not. Yet there were apparently no questions from either judge during inquiring whether understood nature consequences his alleged right plea. 4 expressed desire call witnesses but ask proposed inquire about expected their testimony. simply noted obviously possessed skills, failed subpoena those whom testify. 5 A person charged with felony has an unconditional absolute constitutional Gideon Wainwright, 372 335, 83 792, 9 799. This attaches pleading stage criminal process, Rice Olson, 324 786, 65 989, 89 L.Ed. 1367; may be waived voluntary knowing action, Johnson Zerbst, 304 458, 58 1019, 82 1461; Carnley Cochran, 369 506, 884, 8 70. Waiver will 'lightly presumed,' must 'indulge every reasonable presumption against waiver.' Johnson, supra, 464, 1023. 6 controlling issue this case is knowingly voluntarily before entering court. It evident material facts bearing upon inadequately developed hearing. That being so, under duty hold Townsend Sain, 293, 313, 745, 757, 770; U.S.C. § 2254(d). Accordingly, we grant writ certiorari, vacate judgment us, remand 7 Vacated remanded. Mr. Justice BLACKMUN, concurring. I join Court's per curian opinion judgment. do however, after some initial hesitation, force POWELL's dissent when it stresses unanimous four courts overturned trier fact procedure decided factual issues petitioner. 10 reading transcript, persuades me utterly lost proceeding; assertion favorable existed frustrated because know how compel attendance received respect; development leaves something desired falls somewhat short standards laid down 770 (1963). When 20-year-old claims read write (although able sign name proceeding) receives seven-year sentences, totaling years, within fortnight respective amounts $45, $40, possessing check amount $10, balance, clearly meet standards. Certainly, appointment indicated. 11 WHITE, THE CHIEF JUSTICE joins, dissenting. 12 There suggestion accepting petitioner's denying employed erroneous standard did. On 'properly assume applied correct federal law facts, absence evidence . reason suspect incorrect applied.' 315, 758, And participating our appellate function acting cold cannot presume greater insight into understanding rights, than have considered case, including heard evidence. undisputed circumstances surrounding plea, stated admitted guilty, accordingly entered Like POWELL, think fairly supported certiorari having granted, affirm Appeals. 13 REHNQUIST join, 14 curiam finds 'inadequately developed' respect Relying (1963), majority remands 15 As seems adequately holding. time testified follows: 16 'Q. What prompted you get out jail? Had indicated enter what? 17 'A. go Judge guilty. 18 Saturday regular day takes pleas there? 19 Yes, sir. 'em Colquitt, home town. 20 took yourself Courtroom 21 22 Would tell briefly what happened whenever got Courtroom? 23 carried Courtroom, and, uh, Solicitor drawed up accusations him, accusation signed accusation, called Clinton Henderson, another boy Ray advised each charges they both it, also, jury, attorney represent trial, defendant Henderson Ray, my presence, knew didn't want witnessed signature 'em. 24 believe said known good many years. Did appear understand demeanor going with? 25 26 Is average intelligence least? 27 attorney? 29 him. In your opinion, familiarity acquaintance observation time, intelligently guilty? 31 32 I'm asking about, waive any counsel? 33 sir.' Petitioner Dunnaway contradict foregoing testimony adequate, below found, warrant conclusions further required. 34 true uneducated, sentence imposed disproportionate crime.1 more exhaustive.2 Additional might called, suggested although indication contradicted waiving himself dispute. But ultimate test holding district 'a full fair hearing' proceedings. Townsend, S.Ct., 770. Where relatively narrow are undisputed, except inferentially, show made 'knowingly intelligently,' met.3 35 little likelihood new now, eight 1964 conviction, conducive dependable factfinding4 enlarge already considered. attention courts. Remanding repetitive judicial re-examination become so commonplace. current flood petitions threatens—because sheer volume—to submerge meritorious even produce insensitivity petitioners.5 Petitioner, served well merit consideration parole executive clemency. appointed constitutionally See Avery, 393 483, 488, 747, 750, 718 (1969) (dictum); Developments Law Habeas Corpus, Harv.L.Rev. 1038, 1197 (1970). 319, 760, recognized rely largely judges, 'paramount responsibility area,' implement prescribed demonstrated infirmity memory initially ever prior forgery charge, convicted previously receiving stolen goods crime. Bator, Finality Criminal Corpus Prisoners, 76 441, 451

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