SAN DIEGO CRIMINAL DEFENSE: YOUR RIGHT TO GET EXPERTS
YOUR RIGHT TO GET EXPERTS
This is a case which should assure our right to government-funded experts in cases where our clients do not have the funds to pay.
The Ninth Circuit here reverses for ineffective assistance of counsel. The key evidence was blood. Defense counsel never tested the blood and never even consulted any expert to see what tests might be done on the blood or how to counter the DA's blood expert.
The court's discussion of the importance of experts to examine key evidence should greatly help us in getting courts to appoint experts we need. I have encountered denials by courts here in the past. Bring a copy of this opinion with you if you think you are going to be denied.
Richter v. Hickman; 2009 DJ DAR 11849; DJ, 8/12/09; 9th Cir. Fed C/A
