Strickland v. Washington

Holding an "error by counsel" doesn't "warrant setting aside the judgment of a criminal proceeding" where in the context of the whole proceeding the identified error "had no effect on the judgment"

Richardson v. Marsh

Holding codefendant’s confession that "was not incriminating on its face," but "became so only when linked with evidence introduced later at trial," to "fall outside" narrow Bruton exception

Smith v. Phillips

Holding that a juror's pending job application with the prosecutor's office required a post-trial hearing on juror bias

Rushen v. Spain

Holding that defendant's absence during judge's communication with juror was harmless

Romano v. Oklahoma

Holding that a limiting instruction by the trial court precluded a finding that improperly admitted evidence “so infected the sentencing proceeding with unfairness as to render the jury's imposition of the death penalty a denial of due process”

People v. Welch

Holding the trial court "erred in its determination that a higher standard of competence to waive counsel applied"

In re Carpenter

Noting that California Constitution "grants original subject matter jurisdiction over habeas corpus proceedings to the superior court, the Court of Appeal, and [the Supreme Court]"

People v. Hawthorne

Finding that trial court did not have to define “death” as such was not a legal term of art

In re Hitchings

Noting the right to an impartial jury is embedded in the Constitution and in case law

People v. Napolitano