Maples v. Thomas

Holding: Death row inmate Cory Maples has shown the requisite “cause” to excuse his procedur­al default, which occurred when his lawyer missed a filing deadline in state court.

Judgment: Eleventh Circuit reversed, 7-2, in an opinion by Justice Ginsburg on January 18, 2012. Justice Alito filed a concurring opinion. Justice Scalia filed a dissenting opinion, which was joined by Justice Thomas.

Briefs and Documents

Merits Briefs for the Petitioner

• Brief for petitioner Cory R. Maples
• Reply brief for petitioner Cory R. Maples
  

Amicus Briefs in Support of the Petitioner

• Brief for Deborah A. DeMott
• Brief for the Constitution Project and Cato Institute
• Brief for Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
• Brief for NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc.
• Brief for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers et al.
• Brief for Alabama Appellate Court Justices and Bar Presidents 
• Brief for Legal Ethics Professors and Practicioners and the Ethics Bureau at Yale

Merits Briefs for the Respondent

• Brief for respondent Kim T. Thomas

Amicus Briefs in Support of the Respondent

• Brief for Texas et al.
• Brief for the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation

Certiorari-stage documents

• Opinion below (11th Circuit)
• Petition for Certiorari
• Amicus brief of Alabama Appellate Court Justices et al.
• Amicus brief of the Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
• Amicus brief of the Constitution Project
• Amicus brief of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

• Brief in opposition (unavailable)
• Second supplemental brief for petitioner (unavailable)
• First supplemental brief for petitioner (unavailable)
• Supplemental brief for respondent (unavailable)
• Petitioner’s reply (unavailable)