A party to an appeal in a criminal case may move the court to remand the case to the trial court for entry of findings of fact, necessary for the appellate court's determination of a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel.
Ineffective assistance of counsel refers to a situation in which a criminal defendant's legal representation fails to meet the minimum standards of competence and diligence expected from attorneys.
Datavs, 71 M.J. 420 (to establish ineffective assistance of counsel, an accused must demonstrate both (1) that his counsel's performance was deficient, and (2) that this deficiency resulted in prejudice).
Failing to meet a court-imposed deadline is most likely not to qualify as ineffective assistance of counsel because it is a procedural issue that may not directly impact the defense's effectiveness as per Strickland v. Washington and Padilla v. Kentucky.
When arguing ineffective assistance, a defendant may allege their counsel failed to: Investigate a case, including any potential defenses. File necessary motions such as a motion to suppress evidence or a motion in limine. Obtain expert witness assistance relevant to a defendant's defense.
File a motion for a new trial: Your attorney will file a motion for a new trial, which will argue that your trial lawyer provided ineffective assistance of counsel. The motion will include evidence to support this claim. Attend a hearing: The court will hold a hearing to consider your motion for a new trial.
One of the most common forms of ineffective assistance of counsel is a failure to adequately investigate the case. This can include failing to interview potential witnesses, failing to review or gather evidence, or failing to consult with experts.
The defense attorney failed to object to evidence that should not have been admissible. The defense attorney failed to make reasonable investigations into the facts of the case. The defense attorney failed to take effective steps to rebut evidence offered by the prosecution, e.g. by failing to request DNA testing.