Legal Document

481 U.S. 129 107 S.Ct. 1671 95 L.Ed.2d 119 Waldo E. GRANBERRY, Petitionerv.Jim W. GREER, Warden. No. 85-6790. Argued Feb. 24, 1987. Decided April 21, Syllabus Petitioner, a state prisoner, filed habeas corpus action in Federal District Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. The court dismissed the petition on merits. On petitioner's appeal of Appeals, respondent for first time interposed defense that petitioner had not exhausted his remedies. rejected argument nonexhaustion been waived by failure assert it Court, and remanded cause with instructions dismiss without prejudice. Held: Where State fails raise an arguably meritorious district court, appeals should exercise discretion each case determine whether interests comity federalism, justice, will be better served addressing merits forthwith or requiring series additional proceedings before reviewing claim. exhaust remedies does deprive appellate jurisdiction consider application. is required notwithstanding State's issue below; nor obligated regard omission as absolute waiver history exhaustion doctrine supports middle course announced this case. Appeals' judgment vacated, further proceedings, because simply held could waived, made no attempt justice would doing so. Pp. 1673-1676. 780 F.2d 14 (CA7 1985) vacated remanded. STEVENS, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. Howard B. Eisenberg, Carbondale, Ill., petitioner. Marcia L. Friedl, Chicago, respondent. Justice STEVENS 1 applied Southern Illinois writ Magistrate whom referred ordered file answer; instead motion under Rule 12(b)(6) Rules Civil Procedure, arguing failed claim upon which relief granted. adopted Magistrate's recommendation When appealed Appeals Seventh Circuit, remedies.1 In response, contended failing Granberry v. Mizell, (1985). Because Courts have given different answers question constitutes appeals,2 we granted certiorari. 479 813, 62, 93 21 (1986). 2 How ought handle nonexhausted when has raised objection might answered three ways. We treat silence matter procedural default precluding from raising appeal.3 At other extreme, inflexible bar consideration federal therefore require appears there exhaust.4 Or, third, adopt intermediate approach direct courts decide administration insisting reaching forthwith. 3 already decided See Strickland Washington, 466 668, 684, 104 2052, 2063, 80 674 (1984) (citing Rose Lundy, 455 509, 515-520, 102 1198, 1201-1204, 71 379 (1982)); see also Frisbie Collins, 342 519, 521-522, 72 511, 96 L.Ed. 541 (1952). As demonstrates, are some cases appropriate address lack complete exhaustion. Although strong presumption favor prisoner pursue available remedies, do so claims. 4 expressed our reluctance rules allow party withhold until after "main event"—in case, proceeding Court—is over. Wainwright Sykes, 433 72, 89-90, 97 2497, 2507-2508, 53 594 (1977). record indicates was result inadvertence,5 rather than tactics, seems unwise rule permit, even encourage, seek favorable ruling while holding reserve use if necessary. If meritorious, such prolong prisoner's confinement reason postponement level.6 Moreover, convinced merit, belated application useless litigation courts. 5 persuaded either extreme positions. it, Instead, think doctrine, recently reviewed (1982), points direction course: 6 "The existed long its codification Congress 1948. Ex parte Royall, 117 241, 251 [6 734, 740, 29 868] (1886), wrote comity, opportunity act: 7 " 'The injunction hear summarily, thereupon "to dispose law require" mode exert powers conferred it. That exercised light relations existing, system government, between judicial tribunals Union States, recognition fact public good requires those disturbed unnecessary conflict equally bound guard protect rights secured Constitution.' "Subsequent refined principle must except unusual circumstances. See, e.g., United States ex rel. Kennedy Tyler, 269 13, 17-19 [46 1, 2-3, 70 138] (1925) (holding lower none questions 'In regular ordinary procedure, power highest respect exhausted'). Hawk, 321 114, [64 448, 450, 88 572] (1944), reiterated basis doctrine: 'it controlling all petitions courts, interfere only "in rare where exceptional circumstances peculiar urgency shown exist." ' 8 * 9 "In 1948, codified 2254, citing Hawk correctly stating exhaustion." Id., U.S., at 515-516, S.Ct., 1201-1202 (footnotes omitted). 10 petition, duty advise has, fact, n. 5, supra. however, fails, inadvertently otherwise, defense. makes take fresh look issue. federalism 11 If, example, presents unresolved important bearing, both efficiency may make insist sure ultimately review fully informed basis. hand, perfectly clear applicant colorable claim, petitioner, warden, attorney general, well defense, denies affirms Allum Twomey, 484 743 1973); Note, Waiver Exhaustion Requirement Habeas Corpus Cases, 52 Geo.Wash.L.Rev. 419, (1984).7 12 Conversely, full trial evident miscarriage occurred, hold order avoid delay granting plainly warranted. (1952), brought seeking release Michigan prison. did availability relief, denied writ. reached reversed. While disagreed conclusion merits, approved determination "special circumstances" "prompt intervention." 522, 511. noted general "is rigid inflexible. . Whether exist calls factual appraisal special situation." 521, 511.8 recognized Frisbie, asserted present wide variety appeals, drawing their familiarity criminal practice, able evaluate individually. 13 Accordingly, vacate remand consistent opinion.9 It ordered. Before mandamus Supreme 1981. "without prejudice any circuit presented." App. 10. 1983, commenced second leave mandamus. 9. Compare Batchelor Cupp, 693 859, 862-864 (CA9 1982); Naranjo Ricketts, 696 83, 87 (CA10 1982), Jenkins Fitzberger, 440 1188, 1189 (CA4 1971); McGee Estelle, 722 1206, 1214 (CA5 1984) (en banc); Purnell Missouri Department Corrections, 753 703, 710 (CA8 1985). Cf. (1977); Murray Carrier, 477 478, 106 2639, 91 397 (1986); Smith Murray, 527, 2661, 434 Iowa Mutual Insurance Co. LaPlante, 480 9, 971, 94 (1987) (district diversity parallel tribal exhausted); National Farmers Cos. Crow Tribe, 471 845, 105 2447, 85 818 (1985) (comity considers jurisdiction). governing 2254 answer "shall including post-conviction him statutes state. ." accompanying brief contain statement. 12-17. represents "was mistake part assistants, assistant general. aware requirement." Tr. Oral Arg. 29, 38 (counsel respondent). true, course, Magistrate, receipt motion, then ask statement gave notice "an affidavit documentary evidence," accordingly, 56(c) "rest mere allegations your Petition," but send affidavits establishing genuine trial. Record Doc. 7. Petitioner issued Report Recommendation action, referring 18-21. can successfully defend obtaining dismissal winning obtain he seeks reaches favor. A level never operate benefit. obtains reversal appeal, conversely, denial relief. open possibility. requested authorizes judge summarily "it face exhibits annexed entitled court." dismissed, "the shall pleading. remedies." 5. Thus, Court's nonmeritorious pretermits nonexhaustion. Similarly, Marino Ragen, 332 561, 564, 68 240, 242, 92 170 (1947) (Rutledge, concurring) (exhaustion "whenever become alleged remedy nothing morass offering substantial hope relief"). contested 14, 16 issue, defer more familiar Illinois' practice are.

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