ABA Applauds U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Martinez v. Ryan
Today the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Martinez v. Ryan affirmed the importance of the Sixth Amendment by expanding the ability of federal habeas courts to evaluate the effectiveness of trial counsel.
The Court’s decision today is a change from its prior rule that prevented federal court review when appellate counsel was negligent. This welcome decision is in accord with longstanding policy of the American Bar Association and an amicus brief that the association submitted in the case.
“This significant ruling will help ensure fairness and justice for many criminal defendants throughout the country, including those on death row,” says ABA President Wm. T. (Bill) Robinson III. “Many defendants who received ineffective representation or no representation at all during their post-conviction proceedings have been unable to present claims concerning violations of their constitutional rights at trial in federal court. The Court’s decision today recognizes the injustice of that circumstance.”
Please click here for a link to the Supreme Court’s decision.
Please click here for a biography and photo of Wm. T. (Bill) Robinson III, president of the American Bar Association.
Media contact: Meredith Josef (202-662-1092) or meredith.josef@americanbar.org
5:18 PM March 20, 2012
Statements like these are exactly why the ABA will never get another dime from this attorney.
6:57 PM March 20, 2012
I want to say thank you to the 7 supreme court justices that ruled in favor of the Martinez case. It should have been a unanimous decision, but I am thankful for the outcome. Mr Martinez if you are innocent I hope the courts will rule in your favor, and for all the other innocent men & women in prison, I hope this helps you find freedom. God Bless
2:10 PM March 22, 2012
Just got a call to join the ABA – - and told them no. This “statement” by the ABA president is a perfect examply why I will NEVER join the ABA. Why, as a gov’t atty. representing the state in federal habeas cases, would I ever join an organization that endorses a policy, such as the new rule announced in Martinez, that is contrary to my professional interests in ensuring finality in state criminal cases and limiting the seemingly infinte reach federal habeas review? ABA, please just leave me alone.
9:44 AM March 28, 2012
Sounds like Bill Robinson needs to go back to being ABA treasurer instead of President. Who does he think he is submitting briefs to the Courts when that is not what the ABA is all about. Hopefully in August we will get an ABA President who understands (and stays within) the role of the ABA.
4:50 PM April 8, 2012
Wow such venum from opposing views.. Shame on you.