Legal Document

512 U.S. 849114 S.Ct. 2568129 L.Ed.2d 666 Frank B. McFARLAND, Petitionerv.Wayne SCOTT, Director, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Institutional Division. No. 93-6497. Supreme Court the United States Argued March 29, 1994. Decided June 30, Syllabus * Title 21 U.S.C. § 848(q)(4)(B) entitles capital defendants to qualified legal representation in any "post conviction proceeding" under 28 2254 or 2255, sections federal habeas corpus statute. Having failed obtain a modification his impending execution date state court, petitioner McFarland commenced this action Federal District by filing pro se motion stating that he wished challenge and death sentence 2254, requesting appointment counsel 848(q)(4)(B), seeking stay give time prepare file petition. The court denied motion, concluding because no had been initiated, was not entitled lacked jurisdiction issue stay. In denying subsequent application, Appeals noted 2251 authorizes judge, before whom "habeas proceeding is pending," action, but held pending for appointed equivalent Held: A defendant need formal petition order invoke right establish court's enter execution. Pp. ____. (a) language purposes its related provisions adheres formal, legally sufficient includes assistance preparation such Thus, within 848(q)(4)(B)'s meaning row defendant's proceeding. filed lawyer. (b) grant McFarland's §§ indicates conviction" corpus" refer same two statutes must be read pari materia provide once invokes "pending" 2251, has sound discretion. Anti-Injunction Act does bar exercise authority, since expressly state-court proceedings "for matter involved proceeding." 7 F.3d 47 (CA5 1993), reversed. BLACKMUN, J., delivered opinion Court, which STEVENS, KENNEDY, SOUTER, GINSBURG, JJ., joined. O'CONNOR, an concurring judgment part dissenting part. THOMAS, opinion, REHNQUIST, C.J., SCALIA, Mandy Welch, Houston, TX, petitioner. Margaret P. Griffey, Austin, respondent. Justice BLACKMUN Court. 1 establishing penalty certain drug offenses Anti-Drug Abuse 1988, 848(e), Congress created statutory proceedings. 848(q)(4)(B). This case presents question whether 2 Petitioner Basil convicted murder on November 13, 1989, State sentenced death. affirmed sentence, v. State, 845 S.W.2d 824 (1992), 7, 1993, certiorari. 508 ----, 113 2937, 124 686. Two months later, August 16, trial scheduled September 23, 1993. On 19, withdraw allow Resource Center opportunity recruit volunteer opposed execution, arguing application writ thus declined appoint counsel, modified October 27, 3 informed it unable asked McFarland. Concluding law did authorize proceedings, refused either modify petitioner's date. then remand counsel. without comment. 4 McFarland, 22, present Northern "wish[ed] [his] [the statute,] 2254." App. 41. requested petition.1 5 25, initiated pursuant 77. later certificate probable cause appeal. 6 26, eve Fifth Circuit 47. courts while pending, "motion [is not] relief." Id., at 49. concluded other judicial interference barred Act, 2283. Shortly ruled, magistrate judge located attorney willing accept suggested if would skeletal document "petition corpus," might him accordingly drafted forma petition, together with As Gosch case, see n. 1, supra, despite fact oppose stay, found insufficient merits. Collins, (WD Tex., 1993). 8 granted original suit consideration 510 114 374, 126 324. certiorari, 544, 446 (1993), resolve apparent conflict Brown Vasquez, 952 F.2d 1164 (CA9 1991). II A. Section provides: 9 "In post section 2255 title 28, vacate set aside who becomes financially adequate investigative, expert, reasonably necessary services shall one more attorneys furnishing accordance paragraphs (5), (6), (7), (8), (9)" (emphasis added). face, statute grants indigent mandatory counsel2 "[i]n [federal] express specify, however, how invoked. 10 Neither statute, 2241 et seq., nor rules governing define commenced. Construing light provisions, prior incorporates 848(q)(9), variety expert investigative upon showing necessity: 11 "Upon finding ex parte are defendant, . behalf payment fees expenses therefore" 12 investigators experts may critical preapplication phase proceeding, when possible claims their factual bases researched identified. 848(q)(9) clearly anticipates defense will have technical arises, requires "the services" from court. 848(q)(9). adopting established 13 interpretation only gives as practical matter. Congress' provision reflects determination quality seriousness unique complex nature litigation." 848(q)(7). An attorney's crucial, "[t]he complexity our jurisprudence area makes unlikely able successful petitions collateral relief persons learned law." Murray Giarratano, 492 14, 109 2765, 2772, 106 (1989) (KENNEDY, joined judgment); also id., (STEVENS, Brennan, Marshall, dissenting) ("[T]his Court's unquestionably difficult even trained lawyer master"). 14 Habeas meet heightened pleading requirements, Rule 2(c), comply doctrines procedural default waiver, Coleman Thompson, 504 112 1845, 119 (1992). authorized dismiss summarily appears 4, deny where fails raise substantial claim, Barefoot Estelle, 463 880, 894, 103 3383, 3395, 77 1090 (1983). Moreover, should dismissed, subsequently could subject dismissal abuse writ. See McCleskey Zant, 499 467, 494, 111 1454, 1470, 517 (1991). Requiring proceed expose risk never heard legislated against backdrop we safely assume intend requirement defeated manner. 15 application. We therefore conclude proceeding.3 B 16 Even represent him, meaningless unless stayed. turn 17 cannot enjoin intervention falls exceptions Act. Mitchum Foster, 407 225, 226, 92 2151, 2153, 32 705 (1972). "before " power argues request contends, turn, can triggered entered, until filed. 18 these applies "any 2255"—the precise proceeding[s]" involves. terms used interchangeably parlance 2255. Because proceeding," authority 19 conclusion means automatic mandate entry dedicates discretion Under ordinary circumstances, presumably But necessarily meaningfully research claims. Where afforded, "[a]pproving [petition] decided merits improper." Barefoot, U.S., 889, S.Ct., 3392. hand, dilatory inexcusably ignores flouts available processes, III 20 criminal "main event" rights determined, Great Writ extraordinary remedy employed "relitigate trials." 887, 3391. At time, By providing recognized particularly important role play promoting fundamental fairness imposition penalty. counseled district effect right. sought. 22 23 It so ordered. 24 25 I agree 848, pursuing properly attorney. preparing correctly holds Ante, write separately, disagree allows counsel's corpus. 26 explains, 848(q) apply almost pursue help First, unlike complaint, allege underpinning Corpus 2(c) ("The specify all grounds forth summary form facts supporting each specified"). Furthermore, appear face meritless. 4. And carefully crafted waiver make especially first adequately prisoner's colorable relief. Indeed, 848(q)(4)(B)(7). "investigative, defendant." 848(q)(4)(B)(9). For meaningful context, they ante, 27 my view, prepares provides relevant "[a] justice person detained court." 2251. While explicitly cases made clear least some claim entered. "[F]ederal [not] delay indefinitely. procedures adopted facilitate orderly disposition entitlements irrespective contribution toward uncovering constitutional error." 887-888, 3391-3392, 29 Autry 464 104 20, 78 (1983) (per curiam) (no review lacks merit). 30 anything describing claims, any. consequence, approach, permits absence conflicts principle underlying precedents exists errors dimension, invoked claim. 892-896, 3394-3396; Townsend Sain, 372 293, 312, 83 745, 756, 770 (1963). 31 knows broad sort urged example, provided stays certiorari: final decree enforcement stayed reasonable enable party aggrieved certiorari Court." 2101(f). 33 explicit evidence 34 just intended submission text structure suggest contained after Although specifically identify "a ibid., show there filed, mechanism "institut[ing]" example 2254(d) refers instituted Another setting parties instituting [district must] pay fee $120, except $5." 1914(a) institution "application," done. 2242 (an "[a]pplication concerning applicant's commitment detention"); 2(a) ("[T]he petition"). 35 confirm conclusion. originally enacted were amended approved amended. Pub.L. 94-426, 90 Stat. 1334 (1976). terms, "procedure[s] applications 1(a) (referring "[a]pplicants custody" future custody"). These exception "at stage case," 8(c), further indication otherwise consistent textual focus existence "application" leads me "application."* 36 apparently aware clumsiness handiwork authorizing leaving intact pending." S. 1441, 3(b), 103rd Cong., 1st Sess. (1993). problem, lies Congress, not, it, reading 100-690, 102 4393, impliedly amend Regional Rail Reorganization Cases, 419 102, 134, 95 335, 353, 42 320 (1974). Such inconsistent federalism principles limited courts. leave resolve. Finally, prisoners avoid prompt well advance 37 currently review, denied." 47, 49 (1993) curiam). attorney, concur reversing point. view affirm respectfully dissent contrary determination. 38 THE CHIEF JUSTICE SCALIA join, dissenting. 39 Today prisoner simply odds both provisions. Each take (appointing granting 2251) O'CONNOR points out, ____, (concurring part). like conditions act hold dissent. 40 attempt discern intent regarding point available, spends good deal considering how, "practical matter," meaningful. ____ (O'CONNOR, here, interpretation, primary guide sentence." import 2254" exists—that is, 41 acknowledge asserts "[n]either 'post proceeding' commenced." imagine, "express" explains detail, "proceeding" part).1 2254(d), well-known presumption correctness findings attaches custody 2241(d) (power "application corpus"). Cf. 1914 (equating "instituting" fees).2 death-sentenced 2254," referred contours. incorporate into settled understanding what constitutes "proceeding Miles Apex Marine Corp., 498 32, 317, 325, 275 (1990). similarity between suggests phrase former shorthand latter. short, indicate 43 rejects interpretation. Rather than turning guidance determining commences, examination primarily perceives most useful prisoner. From analysis, concludes [preapplication] counsel." cites support states 44 connection issues relating guilt therefore. ." 45 bottom, argument amounts following: described "may those obtained attorneys, arises"—that sole source relies statement attorneys" "authorize[d]" behalf. 46 oblique reference remarkably thin reed rest supposed intention "establis[h] proceedings." "right," surely done rather sets mechanics obtained. address critical" period. Yet addressed 848(q)(4). 848(q)(4)(A) (indigent "charged crime punishable death" "representation [and] judgment" "after imposing judgment"); "seeking sentence" 2255"). resolves issue: 48 policy concerns rehearsed very valuable 6. That valuable, compel Government 848(q). Ninth aptly observed: "Section funding petitioners Jackson 885, 888 wise generous government declared Implicit analysis assumption unthinkable entitlement attach required matter." Any according "requir[e] outlined above, during period; rather, merely funded 50 period fully reasonable. doubt alternative sources exist prisoners. Petitioner, represented Center, "designated Community Defender Organization 3006A purpose representation, assistance, information, eligible with" arising convictions. Brief (internal quotation marks citation omitted). "funded Administrative Office Courts," 5, became soon Appeals. although still benefit federally assistance. 51 addition, seems likely expected shoulder burden Hill Lockhart, 992 801, 803 (CA8 1993) ("A elected impose implement penalty"). Defendants state-imposed exhaust remedies presenting coming 2254(b). 501 722, 2546, 115 640 Given exhaustion requirement, logical drafting reaches "possible bases" already "researched identified." identified presented courts, habeas. Coleman, 731, 2554 ("This long dismissed exhausted claims"). unreasonable require invoking jurisdiction—namely, relief—prior obtaining 52 Had ended ruling relief, today's decision impact coffers, expand interfere States' legitimate interests enforcing judgments systems. stop availability counsel; goes permit "to claims." 53 through sheerest bootstrapping. After reasoning commences imports "stay "once execution." "language [§ 2251] method employs impart term backwards. enactment using referring whose contours basic construction, then, look inform construction vice versa. 54 reason pursues different approach clear: There basis mean forced enacting 848(q), sub silentio. part).3 effect, determines way power; indeed, mention "stay." proper avoids dubious amendment implication. Correctly interpreted, begins 55 reaching expansive exceptional powers. "disturbs State's significant interest repose litigation, denies society punish admitted offenders, intrudes sovereignty degree matched few exercises authority." Duckworth Eagan, 195, 210, 2875, 2884, 166 concurring) lightly courts' true directly stays. 56 observes, expanding stays, "conflicts dimension." single longer evaluate potentially meritorious Rather, task determine "capital defendant" comes shortly "dilatory" "right If "dilatory," preserve counsel" Ibid. cases, achieve result. 57 58 below determined consider motion. syllabus prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber Co., 200 321, 337, 282, 287, L.Ed. 499. Traditionally Texas, perfunctory often reciting customarily following regularly circumstances Tr. Oral Arg. 32-33. month facing imminent filing, SA-93-CA-731, 1993 WL 484624 Sept. 15, affirmed, cert. 93-6025. subsequent, substantive successive abusive. SA-93-CA-736 Tex. Oct. 12, letter indicated left reluctant petitions, given possibility merits, 73-74. Counsel stringent experience criteria noncapital 1964, 3006A. practice five years, three years handling felony 848(q)(6). THOMAS initiation traditionally creates divergent defendants. Post, 3. agrees, post, bestows including unknown surprising typically itself addresses All Writs 1651, residual "Where particular controlling." Pennsylvania Bureau Corrections Marshals Service, 474 34, 43, 355, 361, 88 189 (1985). course, discusses context detained" authority) Rules Civil Procedure civil complaint." suits extent Rules. 11; Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 81(a)(2). analogue complaint corpus." 2(a). Presumably, holding today, meanings depending sought non-capital situation, latter, many preliminary motions file,

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