Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court: Defense Counsel Had Actual Conflict of Interest Where Own Performance During Police Interview of Defendant Could Serve as Basis of Motion to Suppress Based on Ineffective Assistance of Counsel, New Trial Required W by Anthony Accurso by Anthony W. Accurso The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts …

Massachusetts Supreme Court: Defense Counsel’s Overt Bias Against Own Client Constitutes Actual Conflict of Interest Requiring New Trial Without Need to Prove Prejudice by Anthony Accurso by Anthony W. Accurso The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts ruled defendant’s (a Black man of the Muslim faith) showing that trial counsel harbored …

Texas Prosecutor Spent 20-Year Career Also Working as Law Clerk to Judges He Appeared Before by Kevin Bliss by Kevin W. Bliss Ralph Petty— retired prosecuting attorney of Midland County, Texas—has been accused of manipulating justice to meet his own ends for the 20 years he served in that role. …

Arizona Supreme Court: Trial Court’s Failure to Protect Defendant’s Right to Conflict-Free Counsel May Be Raised on Direct Appeal 16 Massachusetts Supreme Court: Error to Exclude Expert Testimony on Significance of Tattoo to Support Claim of Self-Defense by Douglas Ankney by Douglas Ankney The Supreme Court of Arizona affirmed a …

D.C. Circuit: Conflicted Counsel During Habeas Proceeding Requires Appointment of Conflict-Free Counsel by David Reutter by David M. Reutter The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit “discovered an undeniable and unwaived conflict of interest between court-appointed counsel” in a § 2255 petition and the appellant. It …

"Kentucky Supreme Court: Hearing on Defense Counsel’s Fitness Is Critical Stage at Which Defendant Has Right to Be Present With Conflict-Free Counsel" by Douglas Ankney by Douglas Ankney The Supreme Court of Kentucky ruled that an in-chambers hearing held to address questions surrounding defense counsel’s fitness to proceed is a …