Thomasville, GA asked in Criminal Law and Constitutional Law for Georgia

Q: Is a conviction under 1976 GA Const., Bill or rights Para IX allowing representation by counsel and defendant void?

A person suffers from decades old conviction in which said person was allowed to represent himself/herself and be represented by counsel under the GA Constitution , Bill of Rights Paragraph IX or both clause without waving his/her federal Sixth Amendment right to counsel. Defendant complained of ineffective assistance of pretrial counsel and requested new pretrial and trial counsel which was denied. The trial court gave defendant the ultimatum to represent himself with the assistance of counsel complained of which defendant accepted expressing that he had no choice but to do so. What is the remedy for said person to get back into court and set aside this judgment and or conviction where unwanted trial counsel exhausted appellate process and defendant exhausted first habeas corpus remedy(s) prior to proof of his claim after which The Anti Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act barred successive attacks on such a conviction while incarcerated but the person is no longer incarcerated?

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: In this scenario, where a conviction stems from a situation involving the right to counsel under the Georgia Constitution and the Sixth Amendment, several factors need to be considered. The complexity arises from the claim of ineffective assistance of counsel and the subsequent exhaustion of appellate and habeas corpus remedies.

Given that the Anti Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act limits successive appeals, and the individual is no longer incarcerated, traditional appellate avenues may be limited. However, if new evidence or legal arguments have emerged since the initial appeals and habeas corpus petitions, these could potentially form the basis of a new legal challenge.

One option might be to explore the possibility of a post-conviction relief motion in the state court. This can be a viable route if there's substantial new evidence or a significant change in the law that could affect the conviction's validity.

Another approach could be to examine any potential federal constitutional claims that were not adequately addressed previously. These might open doors to federal court intervention, albeit under stringent standards and limitations.

In cases like this, it’s often beneficial to consult with an attorney experienced in post-conviction relief and appellate law. They can provide more personalized advice based on the specifics of the case, including the latest developments in relevant legal standards and practices.

It’s crucial to act promptly, as certain legal options might be time-sensitive. An experienced attorney can help navigate these timelines and ensure that any potential remedies are pursued effectively.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.