rose lundy argued october decided march title provide state prisoner application writ habeas corpus federal district based alleged federal constitutional violation granted unless applicant exhausted remedies available state courts respondent convicted certain charges tennessee state convictions affirmed unsuccessfully sought postconviction relief state filed petition federal district writ habeas corpus alleging four specified grounds relief district granted writ notwithstanding petition included claims exhausted state courts appeals affirmed held judgment reversed case remanded reversed remanded justice delivered opinion respect parts ii iv concluding district must dismiss habeas petitions containing unexhausted exhausted claims rule requiring exhaustion claims state courts promotes comity furthers purposes underlying exhaustion doctrine codified protecting state courts role enforcement federal law preventing disruption state judicial proceedings pp justice joined chief justice burger justice powell justice rehnquist concluded part total exhaustion rule impair state prisoner interest obtaining speedy federal relief claims since rather returning state exhaust claims always amend petition delete unexhausted claims although risk dismissal subsequent federal petitions pp john zimmermann assistant attorney general tennessee argued cause pro hac vice petitioner briefs william leech attorney general shannon smith appointment argued cause filed brief respondent solicitor general mccree assistant attorney general jensen deputy solicitor general frey george jones filed brief amicus curiae urging reversal justice delivered opinion except part case consider whether exhaustion rule requires federal district dismiss petition writ habeas corpus containing claims exhausted state courts rule requiring exhaustion claims furthers purposes underlying habeas statute hold district must dismiss mixed petitions leaving prisoner choice returning state exhaust claims amending resubmitting habeas petition present exhausted claims district following jury trial respondent noah lundy convicted charges rape crime nature sentenced tennessee state penitentiary tennessee criminal appeals affirmed convictions tennessee denied review respondent filed unsuccessful petition postconviction relief knox county criminal respondent subsequently filed petition federal district writ habeas corpus alleging four grounds relief denied right confrontation trial limited defense counsel questioning victim denied right fair trial prosecuting attorney stated respondent violent character denied right fair trial prosecutor improperly remarked closing argument state evidence uncontradicted trial judge improperly instructed jury every witness presumed swear truth reviewing records however district concluded consider claims three four constitutional framework respondent exhausted state remedies grounds nevertheless stated assessing atmosphere cause taken whole items may referred collaterally apparently effort assess atmosphere trial district reviewed state trial transcript identified instances prosecutorial misconduct respondent raised state courts addition although purportedly ruling respondent fourth ground relief state trial judge improperly charged every witness presumed swear truth nonetheless held jury instruction coupled restriction counsel victim prosecutor personal testimony weight state evidence see supra violated respondent right fair trial conclusion district stated also subject question exhaustion state remedies added trial atmosphere comment attorney general story presented jury state witnesses mixture violations one separated considered independently others charge given limitation cross examination victim flagrant prosecutorial misconduct compelled find petitioner receive fair trial sixth amendment rights violated jury poisoned prosecutorial misconduct sixth circuit affirmed judgment district concluding unreported order properly found respondent constitutional rights seriously impaired improper limitation counsel prosecutrix prosecutorial misconduct specifically rejected state argument district dismissed petition included exhausted unexhausted claims ii petitioner urges apply total exhaustion rule requiring district courts dismiss every habeas corpus petition contains exhausted unexhausted claims petitioner argues length rule furthers policy comity underlying exhaustion doctrine gives state courts first opportunity correct federal constitutional errors minimizes federal interference disruption state judicial proceedings petitioner also believes uniform adherence total exhaustion rule reduces amount piecemeal habeas litigation petitioner approach district dismiss petition containing exhausted unexhausted claims giving prisoner choice returning state litigate unexhausted claims proceeding exhausted claims federal petitioner believes prisoner reluctant choose latter route since district appropriate circumstances habeas corpus rule dismiss subsequent federal habeas petitions abuse writ words prisoner amended petition delete unexhausted claims immediately refiled federal petition alleging exhausted claims lose opportunity litigate presently unexhausted claims federal argument addressed part opinion order evaluate merits petitioner arguments turn habeas statute legislative history policies underlying exhaustion doctrine iii exhaustion doctrine existed long codification congress ex parte royall wrote matter comity federal courts consider claim habeas corpus petition state courts opportunity act injunction hear case summarily thereupon dispose party law justice require deprive discretion time mode exert powers conferred upon discretion exercised light relations existing system government judicial tribunals union recognition fact public good requires relations disturbed unnecessary conflict courts equally bound guard protect rights secured constitution congress codified exhaustion doctrine citing ex parte hawk correctly stating principle exhaustion section however directly address problem mixed petitions sure provision remedy exhausted exists state procedure raise question presented believe phrase ambiguous sustain conclusion congress intended either permit prohibit review mixed petitions legislative history well cases contains reference problem mixed petitions likelihood congress never thought problem consequently must analyze policies underlying statutory provision determine proper scope philbrook glodgett expounding statute must look provisions whole law object policy citations omitted statute language seem insufficiently precise natural way draw line light statutory purpose citation omitted sisson axiom courts endeavor give statutory language meaning nurtures policies underlying legislation one guides us circumstances plainly covered terms statute subsumed underlying policies congress committed unexcelled chemical arguments policy relevant example statute hiatus must filled ambiguities legislative language must resolved exhaustion doctrine principally designed protect state courts role enforcement federal law prevent disruption state judicial proceedings see braden judicial circuit kentucky federal system federal state courts equally bound guard protect rights secured constitution ex parte royall unseemly dual system government federal district upset state conviction without opportunity state courts correct constitutional violation federal courts apply doctrine comity teaches one defer action causes properly within jurisdiction courts another sovereignty concurrent powers already cognizant litigation opportunity pass upon matter darr burford see duckworth serrano per curiam noting exhaustion requirement serves minimize friction federal state systems justice allowing state initial opportunity pass upon correct alleged violations prisoners federal rights rigorously enforced total exhaustion rule encourage state prisoners seek full relief first state courts thus giving courts first opportunity review claims constitutional error number prisoners exhaust federal claims increases state courts may become increasingly familiar hospitable toward federal constitutional issues see braden judicial circuit kentucky supra equally important federal claims fully exhausted state courts often accompanied complete factual record aid federal courts review cf requiring federal reviewing habeas petition presume correct factual findings made state facts present case underscore need rule encouraging exhaustion federal claims opinion district judge wrote mixture violations one separated considered independently others two unexhausted claims relief intertwined exhausted ones judge apparently considered claims ruling petition requiring dismissal petitions containing exhausted unexhausted claims relieve district courts difficult impossible task deciding claims related reduce temptation consider unexhausted claims dissent justice stevens suggests district properly evaluated respondent two exhausted claims context entire trial post unquestionably however district erred considering unexhausted claims expressly requires prisoner exhaust remedies available courts state see supra moreover extent exhausted unexhausted claims interrelated general rule among courts appeals dismiss mixed habeas petitions exhaustion claims see triplett wyrick miller hall hewett north carolina rather adventure unnecessary lawmaking stevens post holdings today reflect interpretation federal statute basis language legislative history consistent underlying policies basis believe today holdings complicate delay resolution habeas petitions stevens post serve trap unwary pro se prisoner blackmun post contrary interpretation provides simple clear instruction potential litigants bring claims federal sure first taken one state pro se petitioners managed use federal habeas machinery able master straightforward exhaustion requirement prisoners misunderstand requirement submit mixed petitions nevertheless entitled resubmit petition exhausted claims exhaust remainder claims rather increasing burden federal courts strict enforcement exhaustion requirement encourage habeas petitioners exhaust claims state present federal single habeas petition extent exhaustion requirement reduces piecemeal litigation courts prisoners benefit result district likely review prisoner claims single proceeding thus providing focused thorough review prisoner principal interest course obtaining speedy federal relief claims see braden judicial circuit kentucky supra total exhaustion rule impair interest since always amend petition delete unexhausted claims rather returning state exhaust claims invoking procedure however prisoner risk forfeiting consideration unexhausted claims federal rule district may dismiss subsequent petitions finds failure petitioner assert new grounds prior petition constituted abuse writ see supra advisory committee rules notes rule incorporates principle governing abuse writ set forth sanders stated prisoner deliberately withholds one two grounds federal collateral relief time filing first application hope granted two hearings rather one reason may deemed waived right hearing second application presenting withheld ground may true wong doo prisoner deliberately abandons one grounds first hearing nothing traditions habeas corpus requires federal courts tolerate needless piecemeal litigation entertain collateral proceedings whose purpose vex harass delay iv sum total exhaustion rule promotes comity unreasonably impair prisoner right relief hold district must dismiss habeas petitions containing unexhausted exhausted claims accordingly judgment appeals reversed case remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered footnotes tennessee criminal appeals ruled specifically grounds one two holding although trial erred restricting victim prosecuting attorney improperly alluded respondent violent nature respondent prejudiced errors lundy state particular district found prosecutor improperly misrepresented defense attorney guilty illegal unethical misconduct interviewing victim trial testified victim telling truth stand stated view proper method defense attorney interview victim misrepresented law regarding interviewing government witnesses misrepresented victim right private counsel prosecutor present interviewed defense counsel represented attorney present defense counsel conduct inexcusable represented validly file grievance bar association basis defense counsel conduct objected defense counsel victim commented defendant violent nature gave personal evaluation state proof petitioner concedes state appellate considered instances without contradiction respondent object prosecutor statement victim telling truth several instances prosecutor summation gave opinion weight evidence petitioner also notes conduct identified occur front jury conduct objection hardly labeled misconduct granted writ ordered respondent discharged custody unless within days state initiated steps bring new trial fifth ninth circuits adopted total exhaustion rule see galtieri wainwright en banc gonzales stone majority courts appeals however permitted district courts review exhausted claims mixed petition containing exhausted unexhausted claims see katz king cameron fastoff ex rel trantino hatrack cert denied hewett north carolina meeks jago cert denied brown wisconsin state dept public welfare cert denied tyler swenson whiteley meacham rev grounds gooding wilson reviewed merits exhausted claim expressly acknowledging prisoner exhausted state remedies claims presented habeas petition gooding control present case however since question total exhaustion two years later francisco gathright per curiam expressly reserved question whether requires total exhaustion claims rule provides second successive petition may dismissed judge finds fails allege new different grounds relief prior determination merits new different grounds alleged judge finds failure petitioner assert grounds prior petition constituted abuse writ also made clear however exhaustion doctrine bar relief state remedies inadequate fail afford full fair adjudication federal contentions raised reviser notes appendix house report state new section declaratory existing law affirmed see ex parte hawk historical revision notes following see also darr burford recodification judicial code congress gave legislative recognition hawk rule exhaustion remedies state courts brown allen fay noia section part provides application writ habeas corpus behalf person custody pursuant judgment state shall granted unless appears applicant exhausted remedies available courts state either absence available state corrective process existence circumstances rendering process ineffective protect rights prisoner applicant shall deemed exhausted remedies available courts state within meaning section right law state raise available procedure question presented section one small part comprehensive revision judicial code original version passed house provided application writ habeas corpus behalf person custody pursuant judgment state authority state officer shall granted unless appears applicant exhausted remedies available courts state adequate remedy available courts courts denied fair adjudication legality detention constitution laws sess senate amended house bill changing house version present form senate report accompanying bill one purpose amendment substitute detailed specific language phrase adequate remedy available phrase sufficiently specific precise meaning therefore spelled detail section done amendment house accepted senate version judicial code without amendment congress amended add subsection redesignate existing paragraphs subsections see pub stat see note habeas petitions exhausted unexhausted claims speedy release comity judicial efficiency rev suggesting habeas petitions contain multiple claims see also developments federal habeas corpus harv rev cited favorably braden wong doo petitioner brought two habeas corpus petitions obtain release custody deportation order ground relief contained second petition also contained first petition pursued first habeas proceeding held petitioner full opportunity offer proof first hearing lower consider second petition present case course controlled wong doo respondent litigated unexhausted claims federal nonetheless case provides guidance situation prisoner deliberately decides exhaust claims state filing habeas corpus petition disposition case reach petitioner claims grounds offered respondent merit habeas relief justice blackmun concurring judgment important issue case whether conservative total exhaustion rule espoused two courts appeals fifth ninth circuits see ante required whether approach adopted eight courts appeals district may review exhausted claims mixed petition proper interpretation statute basic issue firmly agree majority courts appeals dispute value comity applicable productive harmony state federal courts deny principle exhaustion clearly embrace troubles total exhaustion rule adopted read statute concedes ante sheer force operates trap uneducated indigent pro se delays resolution claims frivolous tends increase rather alleviate case load burdens state federal courts use old expression ruling seems throw baby bath water although purporting rely policies upon exhaustion requirement based uses doctrine blunderbuss shatter attempt litigation constitutional claims without regard purposes underlie doctrine called existence braden judicial circuit purposes require result reaches fact support approach taken appeals case call dismissal unexhausted claims mixed habeas petition moreover extent ruling today impact whatsoever workings federal habeas alter fear litigation techniques habeas petitioners correctly observes ante neither language legislative history exhaustion provisions mandates dismissal habeas petition containing exhausted unexhausted claims precedent dictate result reached picard connor example ruled federal claim fairly presented state courts exhaustion requirement satisfied emphasis supplied respondent complied direction picard respect challenges trial limitation victim least prosecutor allegedly improper comments fails note moreover prisoners compelled utilize every available state procedure order satisfy exhaustion requirement although precedents address specifically appropriate treatment mixed habeas petitions plainly suggest state courts need inevitably given every opportunity safeguard prisoner constitutional rights provide relief federal may entertain habeas petition reversing judgment sixth circuit focuses must purposes exhaustion doctrine intended serve dispute importance exhaustion requirement validity policies based agree concerns sacrificed permitting district courts consider exhausted habeas claims first interest relied involves offshoot doctrine comity hopes preserve state courts role protecting constitutional rights well afford courts opportunity correct constitutional errors somewhat patronizingly become increasingly familiar hospitable toward federal constitutional issues ante proposal however inconsistent concern comity indeed state courts occasion rule first every constitutional challenge ample opportunity correct error considered federal habeas respects ruling appears destructive solicitous comity remitting habeas petitioner state exhaust patently frivolous claim federal may consider serious exhausted ground relief hardly demonstrates respect state courts state judiciary time resources spent rejecting obviously meritless unexhausted claim doubtless receive little attention subsequent federal proceeding focuses substantial exhausted claim conceive reason state wish burden judicial calendar narrow issue resolution predetermined established federal principles roberts lavallee second set interests relied upon involves federal judicial administration ensuring petition accompanied complete factual record facilitate review relieving district courts responsibility determining exhausted unexhausted claims interrelated prisoner presented particular challenge state courts however habeas complete factual record relating claim draconian approach hardly necessary relieve district courts obligation consider exhausted grounds relief prisoner also advanced interrelated claims yet reviewed state courts district believes facts case record inadequate full consideration exhausted claims impossible always free dismiss entire habeas petition pending resolution unexhausted claims state courts certainly makes sense commit decisions discretion lower federal courts familiar specific factual context case federal courts addressed issue difficulty distinguishing related unrelated habeas claims mixed habeas petitions dismissed toto issues federal logically depend relevance upon resolution unexhausted issue miller hall consideration exhausted claim necessarily affected unexhausted claim ex rel mcbride fay thus factors considered determining whether prisoner grounds collateral relief interrelated whether claims based constitutional right factual issue whether require understanding totality circumstances therefore necessitate examination entire record compare johnson district prisoner challenge voluntariness guilty plea intertwined claims time plea mentally incompetent without effective assistance counsel ex rel deflumer mancusi dispute regarding voluntariness prisoner guilty plea necessarily affect consideration coerced confession claim voluntary guilty plea entered advice counsel waiver defects prior stage proceedings ex rel mcbride fay ex rel martin mcmann defendant challenge voluntariness confession related claim confession obtained violation right assistance counsel without adequate warnings miller hall problem interrelationship exhausted claims involved allegations police lacked probable cause search defendant van justification failing secure search warrant unexhausted claim maintained arresting officer committed perjury suppression hearing ex rel levy mcmann interest efficient administration federal courts therefore require dismissal mixed habeas petitions fact concern militates approach taken today order comply ruling federal review record proceeding least summarily order determine whether claims exhausted many cases decision merits involve negligible additional effort cases may realize one number claims unexhausted substantial work done district must nevertheless dismiss entire petition grounds relief exhausted prisoner likely return federal eventually thereby necessitating duplicative examination record consideration exhausted claims perhaps another district judge see justice stevens dissenting opinion post moreover petition find way back federal record exhausted grounds relief may well stale resolution merits difficult interest prisoner society preserv ing writ habeas corpus swift imperative remedy cases illegal restraint confinement braden judicial circuit final policy consideration weighed balance compelling habeas petitioner repeat journey entire state federal legal process receiving ruling exhausted claims obviously entails substantial delay prisoner must choose undergoing delay forfeiting unexhausted claims see ante society likewise forced sacrifice either swiftness habeas availability remedy unconstitutional imprisonments dismissing unexhausted grounds habeas relief ruling merits unrelated exhausted claims diminish neither promptness efficacy remedy time serve state federal interests described ii misguided approach appears premised specter sophisticated litigious prisoner intent upon strategy piecemeal litigation whose aim one day galtieri wainwright en banc dissenting opinion even said view accurately reflects reality ruling today frustrate perry masons prison populations avoid dismissal simply include exhausted claims many successive habeas petitions subsequent petitions may dismissed justice brennan observes prisoner abused writ deliberately choosing purposes delay include claims one petition see post opinion concurring part dissenting part successive habeas petitions meet abuse writ standard always subject dismissal irrespective treatment mixed petitions today ruling case therefore provides additional incentive whatsoever consolidate grounds relief one petition instead deterring sophisticated habeas petitioner understands wishes circumvent rules exhaustion ruling serve trap unwary pro se prisoner knowledgeable intricacies exhaustion doctrine whose aim secure new trial release prison consolidate conceivable grounds relief attempt accelerate review minimize costs approach unwittingly includes motion claim yet presented state courts risks dismissal entire petition substantial delay ruling merits exhausted claims suggests prisoner files mixed habeas petition option amending resubmitting complaint deleting unexhausted claims see ante extent prisoners permitted simply strike unexhausted claims petition proceed claims never presented fail understand fuss event approach virtually indistinguishable appeals directs district dismiss unexhausted grounds relief fear however prisoners mistakenly submit mixed petitions may treated uniformly prisoner opportunity amend petition may depend awareness existence alternative sympathetic district judge informs option permits amendment see fed rule civ proc prisoner required refile petition striking unexhausted claims may begin process anew thus encounter substantial delay complaint comes district attention see stevens post adopting rule afford knowledgeable prisoners favorable treatment believe antithetical purposes habeas writ instead requiring habeas petitioner familiar nuances exhaustion doctrine process amending complaint simply permit district dismiss unexhausted grounds relief consider exhausted claims merits iii although affirm appeals ruling exhaustion doctrine requires dismissal unexhausted claims mixed habeas petition remand case reconsideration merits respondent constitutional arguments notes district erred considering exhausted unexhausted claims ruling lundy petition see ante appeals attempted recharacterize district grant relief premised exhausted claims ignored district conclusion exhausted unexhausted claims interrelated see app even appeals recharacterization accurate affirmed district ground respondent constitutional rights seriously impaired improper limitation counsel prosecutrix prosecutorial misconduct appear specified allegations prosecutorial misconduct considered reaching conclusion record reflect whether improperly took account instances purported misconduct respondent never challenged state see ante ambiguity importance general statement indicate whether granted habeas relief confrontation claim alone whether judgment based combined effect limitation asserted prosecutorial misconduct therefore remand case directing courts dismiss respondent unexhausted claims examine properly presented state courts order determine whether interrelated unexhausted grounds whether warrant collateral relief brown allen made clear exhaustion doctrine foreclose federal habeas relief whenever state remedy available prisoner presented claim highest state direct appeal need seek collateral relief state additionally braden judicial circuit permitted consideration petition seeking force state afford prisoner speedy trial although defendant yet convicted therefore obviously utilized available state procedures although raised sixth amendment claim defense trial found interests underlying exhaustion doctrine satisfied petitioner presented existing constitutional claim state courts attempting abort state proceeding disrupt state judicial process see finally roberts lavallee held intervening change relevant state law occurred subsequent prisoner exhaustion state remedies suggested state courts look favorably request relief necessitate return state fails mention two related state interests relied upon petitioner warden ensuring finality convictions avoiding mooting pending state proceedings finality conviction way depends however federal treatment mixed habeas petition state concerned finality may adopt rule directing defendants present claims one time prisoner failure adhere procedural requirement absent cause prejudice bar subsequent federal habeas relief additional grounds see wainwright sykes murch mottram long state permits prisoner continue challenging conviction alternative grounds federal dismissal mixed habeas petition provide particular incentive consolidation potential claims single state proceeding pending state proceeding involving claims included prisoner federal habeas petition mooted federal grants applicant relief even cases though state courts saved trouble undertaking useless exercise ruling unexhausted claims unnecessary disposition case district free course order expansion record see rule related federal interest mentioned avoiding piecemeal litigation encouraging prisoner bring challenges conviction one proceeding discussed part ii infra however approach promote interest congress expressly permitted successive habeas petitions unless subsequent petitions constitute abuse writ rule ex rel irving casscles cert denied ex rel deflumer mancusi example mixed habeas petitions dismissed exhausted unexhausted claims interrelated case prisoner unable obtain judgment merits exhausted claims years see ex rel irving henderson supp sdny ex rel deflumer mancusi cert denied petitioner warden insists however improved judicial efficiency benefit prisoners meritorious claims petitions lost flood frivolous petitions even approach contribute efficient administration justice contours exhaustion doctrine relationship merits habeas petition prisoner one substantial exhausted claim forced return state litigate remaining challenges whereas petitioner frivolous exhausted claims receive hoped prompt ruling merits federal see stevens dissenting post even fifth ninth circuits require dismissal mixed habeas petitions typical case follow extreme position takes today ninth circuit permits district courts consider exhausted grounds mixed petition prisoner reasonable explanation failing exhaust claims state courts delayed ruling claims see gonzales stone fifth circuit review merits exhausted claims contained mixed petition district considered claims see galtieri wainwright en banc implies approval district finding interrelatedness see ante convinced district conclusion compelled conceivably habeas relief justified basis determination cumulative impact four alleged errors infected trial violate respondent due process rights lundy four claims face distinct terms factual allegations legal conclusions depend justice brennan justice marshall joins concurring part dissenting part join opinion parts ii iv ante join opinion plurality part ante agree holding exhaustion requirement obliges federal district dismiss without consideration merits habeas corpus petition state prisoner petition contains claims exhausted state courts leaving prisoner choice returning state exhaust claims amending resubmitting habeas petition present exhausted claims district ante disagree plurality view part habeas petitioner must risk forfeiting consideration unexhausted claims federal decides proceed exhausted claims deliberately sets aside unexhausted claims face district refusal consider mixed petition ante issue rule proper application successive petitions brought result decision today us among questions presented petitioner briefed argued parties therefore issue addressed case presenting event disagree plurality proposed disposition issue view rule read permit dismissal subsequent petition circumstances described plurality opinion plurality recognizes must enacting rule congress explicitly adopted abuse writ standard announced sanders ante legislative history rule illustrates meaning standard transmitted congress rule read follows successive petitions second successive petition may dismissed judge finds fails allege new different grounds relief prior determination merits new different grounds alleged judge finds failure petitioner assert grounds prior petition excusable emphasis added reference successive application asserting new ground one previously decided merits sanders noted either case full consideration merits new application avoided abuse writ government burden pleading thus example prisoner deliberately withholds one two grounds federal collateral relief time filing first application may deemed waived right hearing second application presenting withheld ground subdivision rule incorporated principle requires judge find petitioner failure asserted new grounds prior petition inexcusable advisory committee note rule emphasis added ii plain proper construction rule must consistent legislative history necessarily entails accurate interpretation sanders standard rule based also requires consideration explanatory language advisory committee congress subsequent strengthening amendment text rule plurality entirely misreading sanders embraces interpretation rule standard manifestly incorrect patently inconsistent advisory committee exposition congress expressed expectations relevant language sanders quoted plurality ante follows prisoner deliberately withholds one two grounds federal collateral relief time filing first application hope granted two hearings rather one reason may deemed waived right hearing second application presenting withheld ground may true wong doo prisoner deliberately abandons one grounds first hearing nothing traditions habeas corpus requires federal courts tolerate needless piecemeal litigation entertain collateral proceedings whose purpose vex harass delay plurality conclusion simply distorts meaning quoted language sanders plainly concerned prisoner deliberately withhold ing one two grounds relief hope granted two hearings rather one reason sanders also notes waiver might inferred prisoner deliberately abandons one grounds first hearing finally sanders dismissal appropriate either faced needless piecemeal litigation collateral proceedings whose purpose vex harass delay thus sanders made crystal clear dismissal abuse writ appropriate prisoner free include claims first petition knowingly deliberately chose order get one bite apple plurality interpretation obviously allow dismissal much broader class cases sanders permits free course overrule sanders even course support plurality conclusion congress incorporated sanders principle positive law enacted rule principle explained advisory committee note least requires habeas judge find petitioner failure asserted new grounds prior petition inexcusable indeed congress went beyond advisory committee language believing inexcusable standard made dismissal successive petitions easy congress instead required habeas find successive petitioner behavior abusive drastic remedy dismissal employed congress understood sanders principle plurality simply free ignore understanding embedded statutory language rule iii plurality attempt apply interpretation sanders reinforces conclusion plurality misread case plurality hypothesizes prisoner presents mixed habeas petition dismissed without examination claims merits exhausted claims rejected presents second petition containing previously unexhausted claims plurality equates position prisoner abusive habeas petitioner discussed sanders passage view position plurality hypothetical prisoner obviously different habeas refuses entertain mixed petition must plurality view prisoner abandonment unexhausted claims meaningful sense termed deliberate term used sanders abandonment prisoner permitted proceed unexhausted claims gain speedy federal relief claims entitled recognizes citation braden ante prisoner must proceed exhausted claims thus prisoner case said possess purpose vex harass delay hope granted two hearings rather one moreover plurality suggested treatment hypothetical prisoner flatly contradicts rule standard explained advisory committee fortiori contradicts standard strengthened extended congress prisoner first mixed petition mandatorily dismissed without scrutiny exhausted claims rejected presented previously unexhausted claims second petition simply way habeas find petitioner failure asserted new grounds prior petition inexcusable contrary petitioner failure asserted new previously unexhausted claims prior petition found required habeas condition consideration exhausted claims plurality interpretation rule satisfy advisory committee inexcusable standard falls even short higher abusive standard eventually adopted congress iv conclude prisoner original mixed habeas petition dismissed without examination claims merits prisoner later brings second petition based previously unexhausted claims earlier refused hearing remedy dismissal abuse writ employed second petition absent unusual factual circumstances truly suggesting abuse conclusion mind inescapably compelled sanders also advisory committee explanation rule congress subsequent incorporation higher abusive standard rule plurality conclusion contrast support whatever sources course support majority justice white concurring part dissenting part agree justice brennan opinion like justice blackmun require mixed petition dismissed entirety leave resubmit exhausted claims trial judge rule unexhausted issues dismiss rule exhausted claims unless intertwined must dismiss unless habeas petitioner prefers entire petition dismissed event judge rules issues ripe dismisses tax petitioner abuse writ returns latter claims seeking state relief justice white rejects plurality conclusion part ante see post page justice blackmun see ante justice stevens reach issue justice stevens dissenting case raises important questions authority federal judges opinion district judge properly exercised statutory duty consider merits claims advanced respondent previously rejected tennessee courts district judge exceeded however regard proper restraints scope collateral review judgments ironically instead correcting error today fashions new rule law merely delay final disposition case justice blackmun demonstrates impose unnecessary burdens state federal judges adequate explanation disapproval adventure unnecessary lawmaking requires reference facts case conception proper role writ habeas corpus administration justice respondent convicted state rape crime nature testimony victim corroborated another eyewitness present entire sadistic episode evidence guilt merely sufficient convincing often case emotional controverted adversary proceedings trial error occurred two errors remark prosecutor limitation defense counsel victim recognized tennessee criminal appeals held harmless context entire case state appellate considered rejected two errors basis setting aside conviction respondent exhausted state remedies respect two claims application federal writ habeas corpus respondent alleged trial errors violated constitutional rights confront witnesses obtain fair trial petition respondent also alleged prosecutor impermissibly commented failure testify trial judge improperly instructed jury every witness presumed swear truth two additional claims presented tennessee criminal appeals federal district judge concluded consider constitutional framework app added however assessing atmosphere cause taken whole items may referred collaterally considering significance respondent two exhausted claims district thus evaluated context entire trial record precisely tennessee criminal appeals arriving conclusion claims identified error sufficiently prejudicial justify reversing conviction ordering retrial considering whether error two exhausted claims sufficient justify grant habeas corpus relief federal like state duty look context error occurred determine whether either aggravated mitigated aspects proceeding state federal formed differing judgments based broad review happen share appraisal state merits believe procedure followed federal entirely correct holds however district committed two procedural errors unquestionably according wrong district consider portions trial record described unexhausted claims evaluating claims exhausted ante fundamentally according wrong district even consider merits exhausted claims prisoner included unexhausted claims pleadings holdings unsatisfactory basic reason assumes character claims alleged habeas corpus petitions analysis unexhausted claim asserted habeas corpus petition matter frivolous sufficient command district judge postpone relief meritorious exhausted claim matter obvious outrageous constitutional violation may opinion claims constitutional error fungible least four types one frequently encountered claim attaches constitutional label set facts disclose violation constitutional right opinion four claims asserted case falls category second class includes constitutional violations sufficient import particular case justify reversal even direct appeal evidence still fresh fair retrial promptly conducted chapman california harrington california third category includes errors important enough require reversal direct appeal reveal kind fundamental unfairness accused support collateral attack final judgment see stone powell fourth category includes errors fundamental infect validity underlying judgment integrity process judgment obtained category defined precisely concepts fundamental fairness frozen time kind error falls category best illustrated recalling classic grounds issuance writ habeas corpus proceeding dominated mob violence prosecutor knowingly made use perjured testimony conviction based confession extorted defendant brutal methods errors kind justify collateral relief matter long judgment may final even though may preserved properly original trial case think clear neither exhausted claims unexhausted claims describe error demonstrating respondent trial fundamentally unfair since lawyer found insufficient merit two unexhausted claims object error trial raise claims direct appeal expect tennessee courts consider waived matter state law thereafter teaching cases wainwright sykes undoubtedly support federal relief case thus destined return federal district appeals safe predict courts come conclusion writ issue additional procedure requires considering merits totally unproductive appraisal respondent exhausted claims incorrect trial actually fundamentally unfair respondent postponing relief another round review state federal judicial systems completed truly outrageous unnecessary delay make difficult prosecutor obtain conviction retrial respondent fact guilty innocent requiring languish jail made pleading error callous indeed situations district judge refuse entertain mixed petition prisoner claims exhausted unexhausted claim appears involve error serious kind reasonably clear exhausted claims addressing merits exhausted claims merely delay ultimate disposition case evidentiary hearing necessary decide merits exhausted unexhausted claims procedure enables fact questions resolved hearing followed therefore allow district judges exercise discretion determine whether presence unexhausted claim habeas corpus application makes inappropriate consider merits properly pleaded exhausted claim inflexible mechanical rule adopts today arbitrarily denies district judges kind authority need administer calendars effectively ii recent years federal judges times lost sight true office great writ habeas corpus quite unlike writ error enabled higher correct errors committed nisi prius tribunal trial civil criminal cases ordering proceedings whenever trial error detected writ habeas corpus fundamental guarantee liberty fact federal judges times construed power issue writs habeas corpus though tantamount authority appellate considering direct appeal trial judgment two unfortunate consequences first encouraged prisoners file volume federal applications often amount little request review asserted grounds reversal already adequately considered rejected direct review second led business creating special procedural rules dealing flood litigation doctrine nonretroactivity emerging cause prejudice doctrine today total exhaustion rule examples judicial lawmaking might well avoided confining availability habeas corpus relief cases truly involve fundamental unfairness high standard met question retroactivity constitutional rule enforced believe need fashion definitions cause prejudice determine whether error preserved trial direct appeal subject review collateral federal proceeding availability habeas corpus relief depend primarily character alleged constitutional violation procedural history underlying claim total exhaustion rule crafts today demeans high office great writ perhaps rule kind appropriate response flood litigation requesting review minor disputes assumption petitions groundless might thought justify technical pleading requirements provide mechanism reducing sheer number cases merits must considered experience taught us petitions lack merit also cases serious injustice must corrected issuance writ cases statutory requirement adequate state remedies exhausted must course honored person liberty stake however surely justification creation needless procedural hurdles procedural regularity matter fundamental importance administration justice procedural niceties merely complicate delay resolution disputes another matter opinion federal habeas corpus statute construed protect former whenever possible avoid latter respectfully dissent trial prosecutor questioned eyewitness concerning difficulties sister encountered dating respondent response objection materiality inquiry prosecutor explained presence jury think defendant violent nature material case light victim testified app trial excused jury determine admissibility evidence ruled collateral inquiry far removed material relevant jury returned instructed disregard prosecutor remarks respondent objected prosecutor statement direct appeal reciting challenged events tennessee criminal appeals recognized state counsel made remarks presence jury overly zealous support incompetent line proof different case constitute prejudicial error lundy state ruled however context undisputed facts case hold error harmless beyond reasonable doubt ibid defense counsel victim concerning prior sexual activity victim responded remember certain activity counsel attempted question concerning statements apparently made earlier interview defense counsel prosecutor objected questioning ground interview defense counsel disclosed lawyer involved case told victim counsel defendant trial sustained objection permitted defense counsel continue question victim concerning prior sexual activity refused permit refer earlier conversation victim app appeal respondent objected trial ruling also claimed prosecutor prejudiced suggesting jury defense counsel acted unethically specifically identifying involvement case state appellate rejected respondent claims stating note trial judge permitted upon subject matter simply ruled predicating questions upon prior questions answers tender proof record believe defendant prejudiced deem restrictive ruling defense counsel positive duty affirmatively identify role upcoming case questioning witness apparently made misrepresentation apparently seeking truth state counsel unduly critical defense counsel indicating jury state counsel present interview hold error harmless context case closing argument prosecutor stated story heard happened night march four morning march came state witnesses app judge instructed jury jurors exclusive judges facts credibility witnesses judges law direction conflicts evidence must reconcile without hastily rashly concluding witness sworn falsely every witness presumed swear truth stated full since grounds three four presented state exhaustion remedies two thus consider constitutional framework however assessing atmosphere cause taken whole items may referred collaterally appellate found prosecutor improper remark harmless context undisputed facts case limitation harmless context case see nn supra case must scrutinized particular facts determine whether trial error harmless error prejudicial error viewed light trial record whole whether isolated incident viewed constitutes reversible error grunberger cf oil course appeals passion prejudice may poison minds jurors even strong case accused may deprived fair trial case necessarily turns facts record convinces us statements minor aberrations prolonged trial cumulative evidence proceeding dominated passion prejudice reversal promote ends justice opinion claim generally belongs category purpose significance constitutional rule enforces prospectively retroactively cf linkletter walker probable significance claim belied fact otherwise competent defense counsel raise timely objection cf estelle williams wainwright sykes stevens concurring recognize apparent incongruity suggesting class constitutional error constitutionally harmless render criminal proceeding fundamentally unfair may argued considerable force rule procedure necessary ensure fundamental fairness worthy constitutional status fact category constitutional error exists however demonstrated jurisprudence concerning retroactive application newly recognized constitutional rights see linkletter walker supra exclusionary rule mapp ohio applied retroactively tehan ex rel shott rule griffin california forbidding adverse comment defendant failure testify johnson new jersey guidelines custodial interrogation established escobedo illinois miranda arizona stovall denno rules requiring presence counsel pretrial identification procedures destefano woods right trial jury serious criminal cases serious criminal contempts michigan payne rule north carolina pearce requiring objective evidence record justify greater sentence imposed successful appeal ruling constitutional principle applied retroactively implicitly suggests right necessary ensure integrity underlying judgment certainly allow claims magnitude remain unremedied possible decisions involves general constitutional principle although necessary ensure fundamental fairness trial typically vindicated trial remedies see linkletter walker supra tehan ex rel shott supra see stovall denno supra destefano woods supra whatever correct explanation decisions may demonstrate constitutional jurisprudence expanded beyond concept ensuring fundamental fairness accused point simply expansion need applied collateral attacks final judgments moore dempsey mooney holohan see brown mississippi direct appeal see demeerleer michigan marino ragen see wainwright sykes supra stevens concurring justice black noted opinion chapman california constitutional rights basic fair trial infraction never treated harmless error support statement cited payne arkansas coerced confession gideon wainwright right counsel trial tumey ohio impartial judge see app believe total exhaustion requirement simply harmless rule procedure whose prospective application nothing require district judges instruct state prisoners redraft pleadings black magic markers full import decision today disparages federal judges implies federal judge obey statutory command grant relief exhausted claims unexhausted claim lurks somewhere prisoner pleadings importantly unnecessary delay causes disposition case limited instant proceeding similar outcome follow every time appellate disagrees district judgment petition contains exhausted claims given ambiguity many habeas corpus applications filed pro se applicants differing appraisals uncommon uniqueness habeas corpus procedural armory law often emphasized differs remedies available bring question legality person restraint require justification detention course mean prison doors may readily opened mean explanation may exacted remain closed boasting empty rhetoric treated writ habeas corpus basic safeguard freedom world great writ habeas corpus centuries esteemed best sufficient defence personal freedom chief justice chase writing ex parte yerger wall history function legal system unavailability writ totalitarian societies naturally enough regarded one decisively differentiating factors democracy totalitarian governments brown allen opinion frankfurter failure otherwise competent defense counsel raise objection trial often reliable indication defendant denied fundamental fairness proceedings person best qualified recognize error normally defendant lawyer thus searching fundamental unfairness trial record attach great importance character objection asserted defendant counsel error manifest wrestle terms cause prejudice determine whether habeas corpus relief granted thus wainwright sykes wrote separately straightforward analysis record revealed lack merit prisoner claim record disclosed error sufficiently serious justify habeas corpus relief joined holding error character waived procedural default pointed wainwright supra even express waiver defendant may excused constitutional issue sufficiently grave actually case fay noia held habeas corpus relief available notwithstanding client participation waiver decision notwithstanding fact decision made tactical basis see may argued limiting habeas corpus relief claims involving fundamental fairness underlying proceeding less lawmaking engrafting rule federal may entertain habeas corpus application containing exhausted unexhausted claims see stone powell brennan dissenting interesting note however unanimously held error law provide basis collateral attack federal judgment unless error constituted fundamental defect inherently results complete miscarriage justice timmreck quoting hill see also addonizio even though statute authorizes federal prisoner petition relief whenever custody sentence imposed violation constitution laws emphasis added see davis although two situations identical believe reasons persuaded limit errors law cognizable also apply constitutional errors section enacted part revision recodification title code reviser notes concerning provide simply new section declaratory existing law affirmed see ex parte hawk constitutional rules procedure relatively exist generally applicable scope habeas corpus relief narrow late decision palko connecticut constitutional claims applicable limited hardships acute shocking polity endure fundamental principles liberty justice lie base civil political institutions ibid quoting herbert louisiana schechtman foster cert denied judge learned hand wrote affirming denial habeas corpus petition alleging intentional use perjured testimony state judge denied claim fact consider evidence whole decided even prima facie sufficient make case deliberate presentation prosecution perjured testimony petitioner accorded full measure constitutional rights district properly issued writ matter erroneous judge thought state judge conclusion evidence make prima facie case deliberate use perjured testimony long since rejected restrictive notions constitutional protections available state criminal defendants nevertheless point remains law today different current habeas corpus statute enacted statute amended amendments merely added modify existing statutory language respected scholars may argue forcefully contrary opinion limitation habeas corpus relief instances fundamental unfairness consistent intent congress enacted meritorious claims procedures must ensure claims stifled undiscriminating generalities complexities federalism workings scheme government involving interplay two governments one subject limitations enforceable escaped simple rigid rules avoiding abuses generate others brown allen opinion frankfurter consistently rejected interpretations habeas corpus statute suffocate writ stifling formalisms hobble effectiveness manacles arcane scholastic procedural requirements hensley municipal cf marino ragen rutledge concurring