Maples v. Thomas

Amicus curiae brief of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the ACLU of Alabama in support of petitioner. Issue: Whether there was no “cause” to excuse a missed filing deadline in a habeas case where the petitioner was blameless for the default, the state’s own conduct contributed to the default, and petitioner’s attorneys of record were no longer functioning as his attorneys at the time of the default.

Maples v. Thomas

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Brief argues, inter alia, that Alabama’s death penalty system is inadequate at every state in the process: Inexperienced, underpaid and ineffectual lawyers are appointed at trial and on direct appeal; racial disparities exist in the application of the death penalty; and politics encourages judges to override a jury’s sentencing recommendation of life imprisonment and impose the death penalty. 

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 Lisa S. Blatt, et al., Arnold & Porter LLP, Washington, DC. NACDL’s brief in support of granting the writ, filed 8/11/10, is here. 

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