Strickland v. Washington
A plain-English summary from Criminal Defense Resources™, a free resource for pro per/pro se defendants and their families.
General educational information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. This page describes what a court decided in general terms. It does not tell you what to do in any case.
- Court
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Decided
- Citation
- 466 U.S. 668 (1984)
What did the court decide?
The Court set a two-part test for claims that a defense lawyer was ineffective. First, the lawyer's performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness. Second, there is a reasonable probability the result would have been different without the lawyer's errors.
Why does it matter?
This is the standard test courts use for "ineffective assistance of counsel" claims across the country.
Where can I read the full opinion?
Read the full opinion on Cornell Law School LII →
Always read the full opinion and check whether later cases have limited or changed it. A summary can leave out important details.
Related rulings
General educational information, not legal advice. Not a law firm.