Indiana v. Edwards

Holding: The Constitution does not prohibit states from insisting upon representation by counsel for those competent enough to stand trial but who suffer from severe mental illness to the point where they are not competent to conduct trial proceedings by themselves.

Judgment: Vacated and remanded, 7-2, in an opinion by Justice Stephen Breyer on June 19, 2008. Justice Scalia filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justice Thomas joined.

Briefs and Documents

• Opinion below (Supreme Court of Indiana)
• Petition for certiorari
• Brief in opposition
• Petitioner’s reply
• Amicus brief of Ohio, et al. (in support of the petitioner)

Merits briefs (via ABA)

• Brief for Petitioner State of Indiana
• Brief for Respondent Ahmad Edwards
• Reply Brief for Petitioner State of Indiana
• Joint Appendix

Amicus briefs

• Brief for the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation in Support of Petitioner
• Brief for Ohio and 18 Other States in Support of Petitioner
• Brief for the United States of America in Support of Petitioner
• Brief for the American Bar Association in Support of Petitioner
• Brief for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Support of Neither Party
• Brief for the American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law in Support of Neither Party
• Brief for the Supreme Court of Indiana in Support of Respondent