Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 106 Part 2.djvu/561

 PUBLIC LAW 102-382~OCT. 5, 1992 106 STAT. 1441 " '(q) APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL FOR INDIGENT CAPITAL DEFEND- ANTS.—A defendant against whom a sentence of death is sought, or on whom a sentence of death has been imposed, under this section, shall be entitled to appointment of counsel from the commencement of trial proceedings until one of the conditions specified in subsection (v) has occurred, if the defendant is or becomes financially unable to obtain adequate representation. Counsel shall be appointed for trial representation as provided in chapter 26 of title 11 of the District of Columbia Code (D.C. Code 11-2601 et seq.), and at least one counsel so appointed shall continue to represent the defendant until the conclusion of direct review of the judgment, unless replaced by the coiirt with other qualified counsel. Except as otherwise provided in this section, chapter 26 of title 11 of the District of Columbia Code (D.C. Code 11-2601 et seq.) shall apply to appointments under this section. "*(r) REPRESENTATION AFTER FINALITY OF JUDGMENT. — W hen Courts. a judgment imposing a sentence of death under this section has become final through affirmance by the Supreme Court on direct review, denial of certiorari by the Supreme Court on direct review, or expiration of the time for seeking direct review in the court of appeals or the Supreme Court, the government shall promptly notify the court that imposed the sentence. The court, within 10 days of receipt of such notice, shall proceed to make determination whether the defendant is eligible for appointment of counsel for subsequent proceedings. The court shall issue an order appointing one or more counsel to represent the defendant upon a finding that the defendant is fin£incially unable to obtain adequate representation and wishes to have coimsel appointed or is unable competently to decide whether to accept or reject appointment of counsel. The court shall issue an order denying appointment of coimsel upon a finding that the defendant is financially able to obtain adequate representation or that the defendant rejected appointment of counsel with an understanding of the consequences of that decision. Counsel appointed pursuant to this subsection shall be different from the counsel who represented the defendant at trial and on direct review unless the defendant and counsel request a continuation or renewal of the earlier representation. "'(s) STANDARDS FOR COMPETENCE OF COUNSEL. —In relation to a defendant who is entitled to appointment of counsel under subsection (q) or (r), at least one counsel appointed for trial representation must have been admitted to the bar for at least 5 years and have at least 3 years of experience in the trial of felony cases in the Federal district courts. If new coimsel is appointea after judgment, at least one counsel so appointed must have been admitted to the bar for at least 5 years and have at least 3 years of experience in the litigation of felony cases in the Federal courts of appeals or the Supreme Court. The court, for good cause, may appoint counsel who does not meet these standards, but whose background, knowledge, or experience would otherwise enable him or her to properly represent the defendant, with due consideration of the seriousness of the penalty and the nature of the litigation. "'(t) CLAIMS OF INEFFECTIVENESS OF COUNSEL IN COLLATERAL PROCEEDINGS.— The ineffectiveness or incompetence of counsel during proceedings on a motion under section 23-110 of the District of Cfolumbia Code in a case under this section shall not be a ground for relief from the judgment or sentence in any proceeding.

�