Martinez v. Ryan

Holding: Where, under state law, ineffective-assistance-of-trial-counsel claims must be raised in an initial-review collateral proceeding, a procedural default will not bar a federal habeas court from hearing those claims if, in the initial-review collateral proceeding, there was no counsel or counsel in that proceeding was ineffective.

Judgment: Reversed and remanded, 7-2, in an opinion by Justice Kennedy on March 20, 2012. Justice Scalia filed a dissenting opinion, which was joined by Justice Thomas.

Briefs and Documents

Merits Briefs for the Petitioner

• Brief for Luis Mariano Martinez
• Reply brief for Luis Mariano Martinez
  

Amicus Briefs in Support of the Petitioner

• Brief for the American Bar Association
• Brief for Former Supreme Court Justices
• Brief for the Innocence Network

Merits Briefs for the Respondent

• Brief for Charles L. Ryan

Amicus Briefs in Support of the Respondent

• Brief for the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation
• Brief for the States of Wisconsin et al.
• Brief for the United States

Certiorari-stage documents

• Opinion Below (9th Circuit)
• Petition for certiorari
• Brief in opposition
• Petitioner's reply