Court Opinion

ID: 9761821
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 01:55:55.435407+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:01:54.253688
License: Public Domain

NIX, Chief Justice, dissenting.
While the prophylactic rule suggested by the majority, limiting a petitioner to the filing of only one petition under the Post Conviction Hearing Act, 42 Pa. C.S. §§ 9541 et seq., is an inviting one, in view of the numerous repetitious petitions that are filed, I cannot agree because this bar is in conflict with the clear legislative mandate of the Act. Section 9544, 42 Pa. C.S. § 9544, permits dismissal of claims without further consideration where they have been finally litigated or they have been waived. Absent such a finding we are required to consider each petition or its merits.