cuyler sullivan argued february decided may two privately retained lawyers represented respondent two others charged murders respondent tried first made objection multiple representation defense rested close prosecutor case respondent convicted two codefendants later acquitted separate trials respondent sought collateral relief pennsylvania law alleging received effective assistance counsel lawyers represented conflicting interests hearing defense lawyers testified pennsylvania common pleas denied relief pennsylvania affirmed finding multiple representation concluding decision rest defense reasonable trial tactic respondent next sought habeas corpus relief federal district accepted pennsylvania conclusion respondent lawyer represent defendants concluded respondent adduced evidence conflict interest appeals third circuit reversed held participation two lawyers three trials established matter law lawyers represented three defendants possibility conflict among interests represented lawyers established violation respondent sixth amendment right counsel held appeals exceed proper scope review rejected pennsylvania conclusion two lawyers undertaken multiple representation pennsylvania conclusion mixed determination law fact covered provides state determination hearing merits factual issue shall presumed correct pp state criminal trial proceeding initiated conducted state action state within meaning fourteenth amendment defendant retained counsel provide adequate legal assistance guaranteed sixth amendment serious risk injustice infects trial state obtains conviction trial state unconstitutionally deprives defendant liberty thus merit petitioner claim failings retained counsel provide basis federal habeas corpus relief pp respondent entitled federal habeas corpus relief upon showing state trial failed inquire potential conflicts interest lawyers possible conflict interests pp sixth amendment requires state trial investigate timely objections multiple representation unless state trial knows reasonably know particular conflict exists need initiate inquiry propriety multiple representation circumstances case sixth amendment imposed upon trial affirmative duty inquire pp unless trial fails afford defendant objects multiple representation opportunity show potential conflicts impermissibly imperil right fair trial reviewing presume possibility conflict resulted ineffective assistance counsel case defendant must demonstrate actual conflict interest adversely affected adequacy representation pp possibility conflict interest insufficient impugn criminal conviction order establish violation sixth amendment defendant must show actual conflict interest adversely affected lawyer performance powell delivered opinion burger stewart white blackmun rehnquist stevens joined part iii brennan joined parts ii iii marshall joined brennan filed opinion concurring part concurring result post marshall filed opinion concurring part dissenting part post steven goldblatt argued cause petitioners brief michael henry marianne cox marilyn gelb argued cause filed brief respondent justice powell delivered opinion question presented whether state prisoner may obtain federal writ habeas corpus showing retained defense counsel represented potentially conflicting interests respondent john sullivan indicted gregory carchidi anthony dipasquale murders john gorey rita janda victims labor official companion shot death gorey office philadelphia headquarters teamsters local francis mcgrath janitor saw three defendants building shooting appeared awaiting someone encouraged mcgrath work another day mcgrath ignored suggestions shortly afterward gorey arrived went office mcgrath heard sounded like firecrackers exploding rapid succession carchidi room mcgrath working abruptly directed mcgrath leave building say nothing mcgrath hastily complied returned building minutes later defendants gone victims bodies discovered next morning two privately retained lawyers fred dibona charles peruto represented three defendants throughout state proceedings followed indictment sullivan different counsel medical examiner inquest thereafter accepted representation two lawyers retained codefendants afford pay lawyer time sullivan lawyers object multiple representation sullivan first defendant come trial evidence entirely circumstantial consisting primarily mcgrath testimony close commonwealth case defense rested without presenting evidence jury found sullivan guilty fixed penalty life imprisonment sullivan motions failed pennsylvania affirmed conviction equally divided vote commonwealth sullivan sullivan codefendants carchidi dipasquale acquitted separate trials sullivan petitioned collateral relief pennsylvania post conviction hearing act stat tit et seq purdon supp alleged among claims denied effective assistance counsel defense lawyers represented conflicting interests five days hearings common pleas heard evidence sullivan carchidi sullivan lawyers judge presided sullivan trial dibona peruto different recollections roles trials three defendants dibona testified peruto associate counsel trial app peruto recalled chief counsel carchidi depasquale merely assisted dibona sullivan trial dibona peruto also gave conflicting accounts decision rest sullivan defense dibona said encouraged sullivan testify even though commonwealth presented weak case peruto remembered want ed defense go thought exposing defense witnesses two trials coming sullivan testified deferred lawyers decision present evidence defense testimony suggested sullivan preferred take stand might disclosed extramarital affair finally carchidi claimed appeared sullivan trial rebut mcgrath testimony carchidi statement time murders common pleas held sullivan take second direct appeal counsel assisted adequately first appeal app pet cert pass directly claim defense counsel conflict interest found counsel fully advised sullivan decision testify claims collateral relief rejected reserved consideration new appeal pennsylvania affirmed sullivan original conviction denial collateral relief commonwealth sullivan saw basis sullivan claim denied effective assistance counsel trial found peruto merely assisted dibona sullivan trial dibona merely assisted peruto trials two defendants thus concluded dual representation true sense term also found resting defense reasonable tactic denied sullivan effective assistance counsel exhausted state remedies sullivan sought habeas corpus relief district eastern district pennsylvania petition referred magistrate found sullivan defense counsel represented conflicting interests district however accepted pennsylvania conclusion multiple representation also found assuming multiple representation evidence adduced state postconviction proceeding revealed conflict interest app pet cert appeals third circuit reversed ex rel sullivan cuyler first held participation dibona peruto trials sullivan codefendants established matter law lawyers represented three defendants recognized multiple representation tantamount denial effective assistance counsel held criminal defendant entitled reversal conviction whenever makes showing possible conflict interest prejudice however remote quoting walker per curiam cert denied see also ex rel hart davenport acknowledged resting close prosecutor case legitimate tactical decision made independent counsel nevertheless thought action alone raised possibility conflict sufficient prove violation sullivan sixth amendment rights found support conclusion peruto admission concern sullivan codefendants affected judgment sullivan present defense give weight dibona contrary testimony held require showing actual prejudice granted certiorari consider recurring issues left unresolved holloway arkansas vacate remand ii outset must consider whether appeals exceeded proper scope review rejected pennsylvania conclusion dibona peruto undertaken multiple representation petitioners claim determination pennsylvania factfinding entitled presumption correctness section provides determination hearing merits factual issue made state competent jurisdiction evidenced written finding written opinion reliable adequate written indicia shall presumed correct unless applicant federal writ habeas corpus establish one enumerated causes exception pennsylvania holding fall within statute conclusion law rather finding fact townsend sain examined distinction law fact applies collateral review state conviction townsend opinion precursor noted phrase issues fact refers termed basic primary historical facts facts sense recital external events credibility narrators quoting brown allen opinion frankfurter findings roles dibona peruto played defenses sullivan codefendants facts sense holding lawyers played roles engage multiple representation mixed determination law fact requires application legal principles historical facts case cf brewer williams neil biggers holding open review collateral attack federal appeals carefully recited facts concluded dibona peruto represented sullivan codefendants noted lawyers prepared defense consultation three defendants advised sullivan whether rest defense played important roles three trials fact transcript sullivan trial shows peruto rather dibona rested defense app agree appeals facts establish existence multiple representation iii turn next claim alleged failings sullivan retained counsel provide basis writ habeas corpus conduct retained counsel involve state action state prisoner win federal writ habeas corpus upon showing state participated denial fundamental right protected fourteenth amendment right counsel guaranteed sixth amendment fundamental right argersinger hamlin case sullivan retained lawyers claims conflict interest hampered advocacy allege state officials knew known lawyers conflict interest thus must decide whether failure retained counsel provide adequate representation render trial fundamentally unfair violate fourteenth amendment decisions establish state criminal trial proceeding initiated conducted state action state within meaning fourteenth amendment see lisenba california moore dempsey recognized much gideon wainwright held defendant must face felony charges state without assistance counsel guaranteed sixth amendment denied due process law unless defendant charged serious offense counsel able invoke procedural substantive safeguards distinguish system justice serious risk injustice infects trial see johnson zerbst state obtains criminal conviction trial state unconstitutionally deprives defendant liberty see argersinger hamlin supra decisions make clear inadequate assistance satisfy sixth amendment right counsel made applicable fourteenth amendment guilty plea open attack ground counsel provide defendant reasonably competent advice mcmann richardson see tollett henderson furthermore procedures restrict lawyer tactical decision put defendant stand unconstitutionally abridge right counsel brooks tennessee requiring defendant first defense witness ferguson georgia prohibiting direct examination defendant see also geders herring new york thus sixth amendment require appoint counsel indigent defendants right counsel prevents conducting trials persons face incarceration must defend without adequate legal assistance proper respect sixth amendment disarms petitioner contention defendants retain lawyers entitled less protection defendants state appoints counsel may assume confidence counsel whether retained appointed protect rights accused experience teaches cases retained counsel provide adequate representation vital guarantee sixth amendment stand little often uninformed decision retain particular lawyer reduce forfeit defendant entitlement constitutional protection since state conduct criminal trial implicates state defendant conviction see basis drawing distinction retained appointed counsel deny equal justice defendants must choose lawyers iv come last sullivan claim denied effective assistance counsel guaranteed sixth amendment lawyers conflict interest claim raises two issues expressly reserved holloway arkansas first whether state trial judge must inquire propriety multiple representation even though party lodges objection second whether mere possibility conflict interest warrants conclusion defendant deprived right counsel holloway single public defender represented three defendants trial trial refused consider appointment separate counsel despite defense lawyer timely repeated assertions interests clients conflicted recognized lawyer forced represent codefendants whose interests conflict provide adequate legal assistance required sixth amendment given trial failure respond timely objections however consider whether alleged conflict actually existed simply held trial error unconstitutionally endangered right counsel holloway requires state trial courts investigate timely objections multiple representation nothing precedents suggests sixth amendment requires state courts initiate inquiries propriety multiple representation every case defense counsel ethical obligation avoid conflicting representations advise promptly conflict interest arises course trial absent special circumstances therefore trial courts may assume either multiple representation entails conflict lawyer clients knowingly accept risk conflict may exist indeed noted holloway supra trial courts necessarily rely large measure upon good faith good judgment defense counsel attorney representing two defendants criminal matter best position professionally ethically determine conflict interest exists probably develop course trial quoting state davis unless trial knows reasonably know particular conflict exists need initiate inquiry nothing circumstances case indicates trial duty inquire whether conflict interest provision separate trials sullivan codefendants significantly reduced potential divergence interests participant sullivan trial ever objected multiple representation dibona opening argument sullivan outlined defense compatible view none defendants connected murders see brief respondent opening argument also suggested counsel afraid call witnesses whose testimony might needed trials sullivan codefendants see finally appeals noted counsel critical decision rest sullivan defense face reasonable tactical response weakness circumstantial evidence presented prosecutor facts conclude sixth amendment imposed upon trial affirmative duty inquire propriety multiple representation holloway reaffirmed multiple representation violate sixth amendment unless gives rise conflict interest see since possible conflict inheres almost every instance multiple representation defendant objects multiple representation must opportunity show potential conflicts impermissibly imperil right fair trial unless trial fails afford opportunity reviewing presume possibility conflict resulted ineffective assistance counsel presumption preclude multiple representation even cases common defense gives strength common attack quoting glasser frankfurter dissenting order establish violation sixth amendment defendant raised objection trial must demonstrate actual conflict interest adversely affected lawyer performance glasser example record showed defense counsel failed prosecution witness whose testimony linked glasser crime failed resist presentation arguably inadmissible evidence found omissions resulted counsel desire diminish jury perception codefendant guilt indeed evidence counsel struggle serve two masters seriously doubted since actual conflict interest impaired glasser defense reversed conviction dukes warden presented contrasting situation dukes pleaded guilty advice two lawyers one also represented dukes codefendants unrelated charge dukes later learned lawyer sought leniency codefendants arguing cooperation police induced dukes plead guilty dukes argued lawyer conflict interest infected plea found nothing record indicate alleged conflict resulted ineffective assistance counsel fact render plea question involuntary unintelligent quoting dukes warden since dukes identify actual lapse representation affirmed denial habeas corpus relief glasser established unconstitutional multiple representation never harmless error concluded glasser lawyer actual conflict interest refused indulge nice calculations amount prejudice attributable conflict conflict demonstrated denial right effective assistance counsel thus defendant shows conflict interest actually affected adequacy representation need demonstrate prejudice order obtain relief see holloway supra defendant shows counsel actively represented conflicting interests established constitutional predicate claim ineffective assistance see glasser supra appeals granted sullivan relief shown multiple representation case involved possible conflict interest hold possibility conflict insufficient impugn criminal conviction order demonstrate violation sixth amendment rights defendant must establish actual conflict interest adversely affected lawyer performance sullivan believes prevail even standard emphasizes peruto admission decision rest sullivan defense reflected reluctance expose witnesses later might testified defendants petitioner hand points dibona contrary testimony evidence sullivan wished avoid taking stand since appeals weigh conflicting contentions proper legal standard judgment vacated case remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered footnotes pennsylvania denied two petitions reargument see commonwealth sullivan pomeroy concurring dissenting meanwhile sullivan pro se petitions federal habeas corpus relief dismissed failure exhaust state remedies see ex rel sullivan cuyler supra indeed appeals noted pennsylvania first divided evenly whether commonwealth evidence sufficient support conviction judge garth judges adams rosenn joined filed opinion dissenting denial petition rehearing en banc petitioners must rely solely state holding state heard evidence sullivan petition collateral relief decide whether defense counsel represented conflicting interests see supra state resolved issue second direct appeal without benefit trial finding since conclude determination whether counsel undertook multiple representation finding fact need decide whether statements appellate determination hearing merits factual issue within meaning compare velleca superintendent per curiam hill nelson per curiam although petitioners present state action argument appeals parties briefed argued since resolution question law predicate intelligent resolution question granted certiorari see vance terrazas must address see laboratories university illinois foundation see generally stern gressman practice pp ed see generally fitzgerald estelle en banc godbold concurring part dissenting part cert denied west louisiana vacated remanded en banc see polur retained counsel assigned counsel dichotomy appeals third circuit said ex rel hart davenport rule apply one fourteenth amendment test assigned counsel another retained counsel produce anomaly nonindigent must retain attorney afford one entitled less protection effect upon defendant confinement result unfair state trial whether inadequate attorney assigned retained certain cases proposed federal rule criminal procedure provides federal district courts shall promptly inquire respect joint representation shall personally advise defendant right effective assistance counsel including separate representation see also aba project standards criminal justice function trial judge app draft several courts appeals already invoke supervisory power require similar inquires see waldman deberry cox cert denied lawriw cert denied cf ford app promulgation rule suggests view exercise supervisory power desirable practice see generally schwarzer dealing incompetent counsel trial judge role harv rev although circuits said explicitly sixth amendment require inquiry possibility conflicts steel per curiam cert denied mavrick recent opinion second circuit held otherwise colon fogg aba code professional responsibility dr ec aba project standards criminal justice defense function app draft seventy percent public defender offices responding recent survey reported strong policy undertaking multiple representation criminal cases percent offices responding never undertake representation lowenthal joint representation criminal cases critical appraisal rev private bar may less alert importance avoiding multiple representation criminal cases see geer representation multiple criminal defendants conflicts interest professional responsibilities defense attorney rev lowenthal supra see kidding cert denied mandell cert denied geer supra cf medel foxworth wainwright substantial majority courts appeals require defendants contend multiple representation violated sixth amendment rights identify actual conflict interest see lovano cert denied atkinson cert denied foxworth wainwright supra thacker bordenkircher cert denied mandell supra cox kutas cert denied cf carrigan burden proof shifts trial fails inquire possibility conflict see comment conflict interests multiple representation criminal crim justice brennan concurring part iii opinion result agree part iii ante alleged failure retained counsel render effective assistance involves state action thus provides basis writ habeas corpus however join part iv opinion holloway arkansas settled sixth amendment right effective assistance counsel encompasses right representation attorney owe conflicting duties defendants holloway also established defendants usually right share lawyer choose choice must always knowing intelligent trial judge therefore must play positive role ensuring choice made intelligently delay defendant attorney raises problem constitution also protects defendants whose attorneys fail consider choose ignore potential conflict problems upon trial judge rests duty seeing trial conducted solicitude essential rights accused trial protect right accused assistance counsel glasser accused may waive right counsel whether proper waiver clearly determined trial fitting appropriate determination appear upon record johnson zerbst principle honored accused active protection trial assuring potential divergence interests threatens adequacy counsel representation imposition trial require find whether attorneys representing two defendants jointly charged joined trial use language proposed federal rule criminal procedure probable practical matter virtually instances joint representation appear face charging papers appearances filed attorneys american bar association standards aba project standards criminal justice function trial judge app draft framed premise judges readily able ascertain instances joint representation possible conflict inheres almost every instance multiple representation ante therefore upon discovery joint representation duty trial ensure defendants unwittingly given constitutional right effective counsel necessary since usually case defendants know rights raise surely true defendant may receiving effective assistance counsel result conflicting duties owed defendants therefore trial safely assume silence indicates knowledgeable choice proceed jointly must least affirmatively advise defendants joint representation creates potential hazards defendants consider proceeding representation proposed rule provides whenever two defendants jointly charged pursuant rule joined trial pursuant rule represented retained assigned counsel retained assigned counsel associated practice law shall promptly inquire respect joint representation shall personally advise defendant right effective assistance counsel including separate representation unless appears good cause believe conflict interest likely arise shall take measures may appropriate protect defendant right counsel though proposed rule supra provides good model inquiry need take particular form see also aba project standards criminal justice function trial judge app draft provides whenever two defendants jointly charged whose cases consolidated represented attorney trial judge inquire potential conflicts may jeopardize right defendant fidelity counsel appeals held respondent successfully carried burden demonstrating possibility prejudice conflict interest independent counsel might well chosen different trial strategy ex rel sullivan cuyler based holding part testimony one respondent two trial attorneys testified chose present defense respondent case partly want expose defense upcoming trials respondent codefendants also want risk evidence come exculpating respondent might inculpate one codefendants ibid credited testimony facts case demonstrate contrary view ante provision separate trials always reduce potential conflict fact potential divergence codefendants interests arose part precisely separate trials justice marshall concurring part dissenting part agree appeals properly concluded respondent lawyers undertaken multiple representation conviction obtained defendant retained counsel provided ineffective assistance involves state action may provide basis writ habeas corpus accordingly join parts ii iii opinion believe however potential conflict interest representing multiple defendants grave see aba project standards criminal justice defense function standard app draft ed whenever two defendants represented attorney trial judge must make preliminary determination joint representation product defendants informed choice therefore agree justice brennan trial duty inquire whether multiple representation warn defendants possible risks representation ascertain representation result defendants informed choice dissent formulation proper standard determining whether multiple representation violated defendant right effective assistance counsel holds absence objection trial defendant must show actual conflict interest adversely affected lawyer performance ante holding require defendant demonstrate attorney trial performance differed defendant attorney client believe inconsistent previous cases test unduly harsh incurably speculative well appropriate question sixth amendment whether actual relevant conflict interests existed proceedings conviction must reversed since conflict present case affirm judgment appeals cases make clear every defendant constitutional right assistance attorney unhindered conflict interests holloway arkansas assistance counsel guaranteed sixth amendment contemplates assistance untrammeled unimpaired order requiring one lawyer shall simultaneously represent conflicting interests glasser possibility inconsistent interests clients brought home means objection trial may require joint representation objection made trial appropriate inquiry whether conflict actually existed course representation simultaneous representation conflicting interests sixth amendment protects defendant need go show existence actual conflict actual conflict interests negates unimpaired loyalty defendant constitutionally entitled expect receive attorney moreover showing actual conflict adversely affected counsel performance unnecessary often impossible task emphasized holloway case joint representation conflicting interests evil bears repeating advocate finds compelled refrain may possible cases identify record prejudice resulting attorney failure undertake certain trial tasks even record sentencing hearing available difficult judge intelligently impact conflict attorney representation client assess impact conflict interests attorney options tactics decisions plea negotiations virtually impossible emphasis original present case peruto testimony credited sufficient make case ineffective assistance reason conflict interests even restrictive reading standard usual case however might expect attorney unwilling give supportive testimony thereby impugning professional efforts moreover many cases effects conflict attorney performance discernible record plain therefore instances defendant able show actual relevant conflict unable show changed attorney conduct possible standard articulated may require defendant demonstrate attorney chose action adverse interests conflicting duty another client arguably attorney make decisions concerning representation defendant constraint inconsistent duties imposed actual conflict interests adequacy representation adversely affected see ante defendant must show counsel actively represented conflicting interests case view mine may far apart determination defendant made informed choice counsel course establish waiver prevent subsequently raising claim ineffective assistance counsel based conflict interest dangers infringing defendants privilege right maintain confidentiality defense strategy foreclose type detailed inquiry necessary establish knowing intelligent waiver furthermore inquiry take place early stage proceedings possible conflicts might anticipated see geer representation multiple criminal defendants conflicts interest professional responsibilities defense attorney rev appeals cast decision terms potential conflict interest ex rel sullivan cuyler made explicit statement actual conflict interest existed analysis premised however conclusion basis reject peruto sworn admission injected improper considerations relationship ibid statement clearly demonstrates found actual relevant conflict interests conflict interests term often used seldom defined american bar associations usage remained essentially unchanged since promulgation canons professional ethics fair statement ordinarily meant term meaning adopt aba standards state lawyer undertake multiple representation duty one defendants may conflict duty another aba project standards criminal justice defense function standard app draft ed code professional responsibility forbids multiple representation likely involve lawyer representing differing interests unless lawyer adequately represent client obtains informed consent aba code professional responsibility disciplinary rule code professional responsibility superseded canons professional ethics spoke conflicting interests rather differing interests term defined canon lawyer represents conflicting interests behalf one client duty contend duty another client requires oppose aba materials course define constitutional standard however consistent glasser emphasis interests defendants corresponding duties owed attorney rather empirical question effect conflict attorney performance see comment conflict interests multiple representation criminal crim possibility conflict interests defendants may diverge point place attorney inconsistent duties actual relevant conflict interests course representation defendants interests diverge respect material factual legal issue course action glasser defendant objection trial joint representation lawyer put glasser feels represent kretske jury get idea together whether attorney performance fact affected joint representation course irrelevant merits claim discuss possibility lawyer failure prosecution witnesses fully object admission certain evidence result joint representation possibility jury assume birds feather flock lawyer greer supra objection raised trial plainly considered sufficient require appointment separate counsel kretske