Court Opinion

ID: 9789024
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 01:24:44.247154+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:37:18.750690
License: Public Domain

hMINZNER, Justice (specially concurring). {24} I concur in the majority opinion. I write separately in order to express my concern that the concept and term “fundamental error” may not be exactly the same when reviewing for fundamental error in the context of a habeas proceeding as when reviewing for fundamental error in the context of a direct appeal. Our cases do not make this point directly or clearly, but Duncan v. Kerby, 115 N.M. 344, 346, 851 P.2d 466, 468 (1993), suggests a difference. {25} In Duncan, Justice Frost indicated that “[a] habeas corpus petitioner will hot be precluded, however, from raising issues in habeas corpus proceedings that could have been raised on direct appeal either when fundamental error has occurred, [State v.] Gillihan, 86 N.M. [439], 440, 524 P.2d [1335], 1336 [ (1974) ], or when an adequate record to address the claim properly was not available on direct appeal.” 115 N.M. at 346, 851 P.2d at 468. Yet he went on to quote an Idaho case, in which a special concurrence made the point that “ ‘[w]hen a post-conviction application makes a substantial showing that due process or another fundamental right has been abridged-and the application is supported by facts ill-suited for development in the original trial-it should be addressed on its merits.’ ” Id. (quoting State v. Darbin, 109 Idaho 516, 708 P.2d 921, 931 (Ct.App.1985)) (Burnett, J., specially concurring). This Court then said: “We adopt this rationale.” Duncan, 115 N.M. at 346, 851 P.2d at 468. {26} In Gillihan, this Court said that post-conviction proceedings were not available as a substitute for an appeal or to correct trial error. 86 N.M. at 440, 524 P.2d at 1336. Yet, we said “this holding will not apply to grounds constituting fundamental error or to situations in which the prisoner’s mental capacities preclude an intelligent waiver.” Id. {27} Finally, in State v. Garcia, we said post-conviction proceedings ordinarily are not to be used to correct trial error “even though the errors relate to constitutional rights. It is only where there has been a denial of the substance of fair trial that the validity of the proceeding may be attacked collaterally.” 80 N.M. 21, 23, 450 P.2d 621, 623 (1969). {28} These various pronouncements by this Court leave me in doubt concerning the scope of the principle and concept of fundamental error as it applies in habeas proceedings. Nevertheless, as the majority opinion makes clear, Petitioner is being held in prison on a conviction that is legally void. See Maj. Op., ¶ 12. As a consequence, whatever the scope of review under the principle and concept of fundamental error, he is entitled to the relief he sought. See NMSA 1978, § 44-1-1 (1884) (describing those who are entitled to the writ of habeas corpus as including every person imprisoned or restrained unlawfully). I CONCUR: PETRA JIMENEZ MAES, Justice.