Court Opinion

ID: 9936386
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-02-09 18:57:55.905958+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:31:09.223688
License: Public Domain

Although I agree that the defendant Walker must be afforded the opportunity to present evidence in support of his contention that his counsel provided ineffective legal assistance at the appellate level, I recognize the burdens that Rule 32, Ala.R.Crim.P., places on trial judges. It may be that, as a general matter, trial judges are not ideally suited to determine whether a defendant's appellate counsel provided effective legal assistance. However, we presently have no rules or standards that allow a defendant seeking postconviction relief to bring information before an appellate court on an issue such as this that has not been admitted into evidence in the trial court. If the trial court rules against Walker, he may seek review in an appellate court based on the record built in the trial court.