Drowned Out Without Discovery: Postconviction Procedural Inadequacy in an Era of Habeas Deference
Criminal Law Practitioner, 2014
17 Pages Posted: 19 Sep 2013 Last revised: 5 Feb 2014
Date Written: 2013
Abstract
This paper discusses discovery mechanisms in Kentucky and the existing inadequacies of those mechanisms. It further discusses the need, in light of recent Supreme Court decisions and federal statute, to expand access to discovery in the postconviction context. It considers the “fast-track” provision of the Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act and its failure to address a postconviction litigant’s access to discovery. It also discusses the need for adequate postconviction discovery procedures, as well as an overview of existing state law. This paper analyzes Kentucky’s Open Records Act and associated issues with obtaining records via open records procedures, and finally, it discusses potential options for implementing a mechanism providing postconviction litigants with meaningful access to discovery.
Keywords: AEDPA, habeas, discovery, postconviction, Pinholster, 154, Kentucky
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