The right to counsel requires a  right to effective assistance of counsel. A common ground for appeal is  when the defendant claims he or she received ineffective assistance of  counsel. What must be proven for a claim of ineffective assistance of  counsel?

Research a case where a defendant appealed a criminal conviction  based on ineffective assistance of counsel. What did the attorney do (or  not do) as defendant’s counsel? Do you agree counsel was ineffective?  Reflect specifically on the case researched as well as generally on this  common ground for appeal. When do you think effective assistance of  counsel is most important?