Not Unconstitutional to be Late
An attorney who comes back to a trial 20 minutes late from a recess does not generate not effective counsel.
The criminal, a smuggler of cigarettes, argued his attorney was not present during a important stage of the trial, which added up to ineffective assistance in breach of the Sixth Amendment. He claims the lawyer was missing for 20 minutes, although it was not written in the trial record.
The attorney said in an affidavit he did confuse the judges saying that he should return by a quarter of 2. And returned at 2:15 instead.
The Federal court ruled that it is unprofessional and rude to not be on time, but definitely not against the constitution.
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