California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from People v. Doud, H034920 (Cal. App. 2011):
"A defendant seeking relief on the basis of ineffective assistance of counsel must show both that trial counsel failed to act in a manner to be expected of reasonably competent attorneys acting as diligent advocates, and that it is reasonably probable a more favorable determination would have resulted in the absence of counsel's failings. [Citations.]" (People v. Price (1991) 1 Cal.4th 324, 440; see also Strickland v. Washington (1984) 466 U.S. 668, 687-688.) "If it is easier to dispose of an ineffectiveness claim on the ground of lack of sufficient prejudice, . . . that course should be followed." (Strickland v. Washington, supra, at p. 697.)
"Reviewing courts defer to counsel's reasonable tactical decisions in examining a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel [citation], and there is a 'strong presumption that counsel's conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance.' [Citation.]" (People v. Lucas (1995) 12 Cal.4th 415, 436-437.) " 'Whether to object to inadmissible evidence is a tactical decision; because trial counsel's tactical decisions are accorded substantial deference [citations], failure to object seldom establishes counsel's incompetence.' [Citation.]" (People v. Riel (2000) 22 Cal.4th 1153, 1185.) "An attorney
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