United States Supreme Court Slams Door Today on Post-Conviction Relief Under Padilla

SCOTUS issued a 7-2 decision today in Chaidez v. United States, Slip Opinion No.: 11-820, from the 7th Circuit holding that their prior decision in Padilla v. Commonwealth of Kentucky 559 U.S. _____, does not apply retroactively under the Teague Rule 489 U.S. 288 (1989).

As the decision states, "We conclude that, under the principles set out in Teague v. Lane, Padilladoes not have retroactive effect." Unfortunately, this means that any decision that was final before Padilla will not have the benefit of that decision. Here is the decision: Chaidez v. United States