Filed: Jun. 17, 2014
Latest Update: Jun. 17, 2014
Summary: Memorandum Of Decision TIMOTHY S. HILLMAN, District Judge. Background Keith R. Doucette ("Doucette" or "Petitioner") has filed a petition under 28 U.S.C. 2254 for Writ of Habeas Corpus by a Person in State Custody (Docket No. 1)("Petition") alleging three grounds for relief. Specifically, Petitioner asserts the following claims in his Petition 1 : Ground One: At the sentencing for violation of his probation, the judge considered matters relating to the original conviction for OUI mansla
Summary: Memorandum Of Decision TIMOTHY S. HILLMAN, District Judge. Background Keith R. Doucette ("Doucette" or "Petitioner") has filed a petition under 28 U.S.C. 2254 for Writ of Habeas Corpus by a Person in State Custody (Docket No. 1)("Petition") alleging three grounds for relief. Specifically, Petitioner asserts the following claims in his Petition 1 : Ground One: At the sentencing for violation of his probation, the judge considered matters relating to the original conviction for OUI manslau..
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Memorandum Of Decision
TIMOTHY S. HILLMAN, District Judge.
Background
Keith R. Doucette ("Doucette" or "Petitioner") has filed a petition under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 for Writ of Habeas Corpus by a Person in State Custody (Docket No. 1)("Petition") alleging three grounds for relief. Specifically, Petitioner asserts the following claims in his Petition1:
Ground One: At the sentencing for violation of his probation, the judge considered matters relating to the original conviction for OUI manslaughter/serious bodily injury which resulted in multiple punishments for the same offense in violation of the Fifth Amendment's Double Jeopardy Clause; and
Ground Two: The judge imposed an unlawful sentence for violation of probation in that he gave undue weight to the violation of probation.
This Memorandum of Decision addresses Respondent's Motion To Dismiss Petition For Writ Of Habeas Corpus as Time-Barred (Docket No. 27).
Discussion
Respondent has filed a motion to dismiss the Petition as time barred pursuant to the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 ("AEDPA"), 28 U.S.C. § 2244(d)(1), et seq., which requires a state prisoner to file his federal habeas petition within one year of the date on which his state conviction becomes final. Doucette has not filed an opposition to the motion.
Effective April 24, 1996, the statutes governing habeas corpus petitions for prisoners in state and federal custody were amended by the AEDPA to impose a one year statute of limitations period on the filing of all non-capital habeas petitions in federal courts. See 28 U.S.C. § 2244(d)(1); see also Zuluaga v. United States, 971 F.Supp. 616 (D.Mass. 1997). In general, for prisoners in state custody, the limitations period begins to run on "the date which the judgment becomes final by conclusion of direct review or the expiration of the time for such review." 28 U.S.C. § 2244(d)(1)(a). On January 13, 2006, Doucette's probation was revoked and a sentence of nine to twelve years in prison was imposed. Doucette filed multiple collateral motions, but acknowledges in his Petition, that he did not file a direct appeal of his sentence.
The Respondent's supporting memorandum sets out the factual and procedural background of this case in detail and includes a comprehensive discussion of the applicable legal standards. Based on the legal arguments set forth in the Respondent's memorandum, which I adopt, I find that Doucette's Petition is barred by the AEDPA's one year statute of limitations and therefore, must be dismissed.2
Conclusion
It is Ordered that:
Respondent's Motion to Dismiss Petition For Writ Of Habeas Corpus As Time-Barred (Docket No. 27) is allowed.
