harris reed argued october decided february petitioner murder conviction affirmed appellate illinois direct appeal petitioner challenged sufficiency evidence trial dismissed petition postconviction relief alleged ineffective assistance trial counsel several respects including failure call alibi witnesses appellate affirmed although referring illinois principle issues presented direct appeal considered waived finding except alibi witnesses petitioner claim raised direct appeal nevertheless went consider reject claim merits petitioner pursued claim filing habeas corpus petition federal district recognizing absent showing either cause prejudice miscarriage justice wainwright sykes barred consideration claim state appellate held claim waived state law federal determined waiver holding went consider claim entirety dismiss merits affirming dismissal appeals ruled precluded reviewing claim merits believed claim procedurally barred finding state appellate order ambiguous waiver question nevertheless concluded bound order suggest ed intention find grounds waived except pertaining alibi witnesses held plain statement rule michigan long limited cases direct review extends well cases federal habeas review pp sykes procedural default rule based longstanding adequate independent state ground doctrine whereby consider federal law issue direct review judgment judgment rests ground independent federal claim merits adequate basis decision long rule avoids difficulties arise doctrine state reference state law ambiguous permitting reach federal question direct review unless state opinion contains plain statement decision rests upon adequate independent state grounds whether substantive procedural pp since sykes made clear adequate independent state ground doctrine applies federal habeas since federal courts habeas review commonly face problem ambiguity resolved long plain statement rule adopted habeas cases thus procedural default bar consideration federal claim habeas review unless last state rendering judgment case clearly expressly judgment rests state procedural bar pp respondents claim persuasive federal habeas case presume judgment rests procedural bar whenever decision ambiguous point applying long rule habeas barely burdens interests finality federalism comity since state remains free rule foreclose federal habeas review extent permitted sykes simply explicitly relying procedural default conversely respondents proposed rule impose substantial burdens federal courts lose much time reviewing legal factual issues state familiar state law record better suited address expeditiously pp state appellate statement petitioner allegations raised direct appeal satisfy plain statement requirement since falls short explicit reliance waiver ground rejecting aspect petitioner claim accordingly statement preclude habeas review district blackmun delivered opinion rehnquist brennan white marshall stevens scalia joined stevens filed concurring opinion post filed concurring opinion rehnquist scalia joined post kennedy filed dissenting opinion post kimball anderson appointment argued cause petitioner briefs george christensen king poor robert shuff first assistant attorney general illinois argued cause respondents brief neil hartigan attorney general robert ruiz solicitor general terence madsen arleen anderson assistant attorneys general judith lynn libby filed brief national legal aid defender association amicus curiae urging reversal briefs amici curiae filed state california ex rel john van de kamp van de kamp attorney general california pro se steve white chief assistant attorney general donald roeschke deputy attorney general state florida robert butterworth attorney general charles corces assistant attorney general justice blackmun delivered opinion case consider whether plain statement rule michigan long applies case federal habeas review well case direct review hold petitioner warren lee harris convicted circuit cook county murder direct appeal petitioner challenged sufficiency evidence appellate illinois unpublished order affirmed conviction app see app petitioner returned circuit cook county filed petition postconviction relief alleging trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance several respects including failure call alibi witnesses dismissed petition without evidentiary hearing appellate illinois another unpublished order affirmed app order appellate referred principle illinois law issues presented direct appeal considered waived found except alibi witnesses petitioner allegations raised direct appeal ibid however went consider reject petitioner claim merits petitioner seek review illinois instead pursued claim federal petition writ habeas corpus district recognized illinois appellate held claim waived illinois law decision wainwright sykes bar federal consideration claim unless petitioner able show either cause prejudice miscarriage justice supp nd district however determined illinois appellate held portion claim waived first district observed state made clear waiver apply issue alibi witnesses second never clearly held issue waived state appear make two rulings alternative rather note procedural default ignore reaching merits instead ibid based determination district concluded permitted consider claim entirety ordered evidentiary hearing hearing unpublished memorandum order dismissed claim merits although characterized case close difficult one app appeals affirmed dismissal reach merits disagreement district believed claim procedurally barred considering illinois appellate order ambiguous contained neither explicit finding waiver expression intention ignore waiver appeals nonetheless asserted reviewing try assess state intention extent possible undertaking effort appeals concluded order suggest ed intention find grounds waived except pertaining alibi witnesses ibid based interpretation order appeals concluded merits petitioner federal claim reached alternate holding considered precluded reviewing merits claim concurring separately judge cudahy stated rather attempting divine unspoken intent state think invoke presumption waiver clearly found condoned ibid disagreement majority concurrence reflects conflict among courts appeals standard determining whether state ambiguous invocation procedural default bars federal habeas review granted certiorari resolve conflict ii confusion among courts evidently stems failure recognize procedural default rule wainwright sykes historical theoretical basis adequate independent state ground doctrine lineage rule clarified cure confusion becomes apparent long held consider issue federal law direct review judgment state judgment rests ground independent merits federal claim adequate basis decision see fox film muller murdock city memphis wall although doctrine originated context judgments alternative state federal grounds substantive nature doctrine applied routinely state decisions forfeiting federal claims violation state procedural rules meltzer state forfeitures federal rights harv rev question whether state reference state law constitutes adequate independent state ground judgment may rendered difficult ambiguity state opinion michigan long laid rule avoid difficulties associated ambiguity long fairly appears state rested decision primarily federal law may reach federal question review unless state opinion contains plain statement decision rests upon adequate independent state grounds long plain statement rule applies regardless whether disputed ground substantive long procedural caldwell mississippi thus mere fact federal claimant failed abide state procedural rule prevent reaching federal claim state must actually relied procedural bar independent basis disposition case ibid furthermore ambiguities regard must resolved application long standard adequate independent state ground doctrine problem ambiguity resolved long concern cases direct review pursuant also federal habeas corpus proceedings pursuant wainwright sykes made clear adequate independent state ground doctrine applies federal habeas see also ulster county allen sykes progeny adequate independent finding procedural default bar federal habeas review federal claim unless habeas petitioner show cause default prejudice attributable thereto murray carrier demonstrate failure consider federal claim result fundamental miscarriage justice quoting engle isaac see also smith murray conversely federal claimant procedural default precludes federal habeas review like direct review last state rendering judgment case rests judgment procedural default see caldwell mississippi ulster county allen moreover question whether state indeed done sometimes difficult answer habeas review direct review encounters opinions unclear point federal courts habeas review thus presents problem ambiguity resolved michigan long held long unless state clearly expressed reliance adequate independent ground may address federal issue considered state applied rule caldwell mississippi somewhat cryptic reference procedural default opinion although long caldwell arose direct review principles underlying decisions limited direct review indeed opinion caldwell relied heavily upon earlier application adequate independent state ground doctrine habeas review ulster county see caldwell caldwell thus indicates problem ambiguous references state law led adoption long plain statement rule common direct habeas review faced common problem adopt common solution procedural default bar consideration federal claim either direct habeas review unless last state rendering judgment case clearly expressly judgment rests state procedural bar caldwell quoting long respondents however urge us adopt different rule habeas cases arguing decision ambiguous whether judgment rests procedural bar federal presume respondents claim applying long plain statement requirement habeas cases harm interests finality federalism comity alert recognizing federal habeas review touches upon significant state interests wainwright sykes reveals see believe however applying long habeas burdens interests minimally benefits contrast substantial state remains free long rule rely state procedural bar thereby foreclose federal habeas review extent permitted sykes requiring state explicit reliance procedural default interfere unduly state judicial long recognized intrusive federal state determination state law moreover state courts become familiar plain statement requirement long caldwell decision today state need nothing preclude habeas review must preclude direct review contrast respondents proposed rule impose substantial burdens federal courts oral argument counsel respondents conceded circumstances proposal federal habeas forced examine record determine whether procedural default argued state required undertake extensive analysis state law determine whether procedural bar potentially applicable particular case see tr oral arg much time lost reviewing legal factual issues state familiar state law record better suited address expeditiously plain statement requirement achieves important objective permitting federal rapidly identify whether federal issues properly presented respondents proposed rule thus persuaded depart long caldwell simply habeas case extended adequate independent state ground doctrine habeas cases extend habeas review plain statement rule determining whether state relied adequate independent state ground iii applying plain statement requirement case conclude illinois appellate clearly expressly rely waiver ground rejecting aspect petitioner claim michigan long sure state perhaps laid foundation holding stating petitioner allegations raised direct appeal app nonetheless appeals recognized statement falls short explicit reliance ground accordingly reference state law precluded addressing petitioner claim arisen direct review established also preclude habeas review district judgment appeals reversed case remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered footnotes discussion terms cause prejudice miscarriage justice see murray carrier smith murray opinion need thus address meanings terms clear appeals review least merits petitioner claim concerning failure present alibi witnesses inasmuch acknowledged petitioner waived aspect claim clear even regard rest petitioner claim appeals consider possibility cause prejudice miscarriage justice sykes progeny view disposition case need consider omissions compare hardin black federal must address merits federal claim unclear whether state denied relief procedural default view merits brasier douglas federal must address merits federal claim whenever state addressed merits federal claim even clear state alternatively relied procedural bar cert denied shepard foltz unclear whether state relied upon procedural bar federal examine arguments presented state see also mann dugger clark specially concurring michigan long plain statement rule applies habeas well direct review rehearing en banc cert pending judges indeed analyzed problem terms adequate independent state ground doctrine see meadows holland winter dissenting en banc decision cert pending mann dugger clark specially concurring see herndon georgia discussion whether state procedural default ruling independent see ake oklahoma whether state procedural default ruling adequate see johnson mississippi see generally bator meltzer mishkin shapiro hart wechsler federal courts federal system ed since long repeatedly followed plain statement requirement see michigan chesternut kentucky stincer maryland garrison new york video delaware van arsdall new york class case example district appeals found illinois appellate opinion ambiguous point rule necessarily applies state presented federal claim usually true given requirement federal claimant exhaust remedies raising claim federal habeas petition see course federal habeas need require federal claim presented state clear state hold claim procedurally barred castille peoples post teague lane post plurality opinion case however involve application exhaustion principle petitioner raise claim state moreover state need fear reaching merits federal claim alternative holding definition adequate independent state ground doctrine requires federal honor state holding sufficient basis state judgment even state also relies federal law see fox film muller thus applying doctrine habeas cases sykes curtails reconsideration federal issue federal habeas long state explicitly invokes state procedural bar rule separate basis decision way state may reach federal question without sacrificing interests finality federalism comity respondents argue plain statement requirement entails presumption state courts disobey procedural bar rules argument inconsistent caldwell confirmed long applicability procedural default cases event respondents recognize instances state courts discretion forgive procedural defaults see brief respondents plain statement rule relieves federal determine whether given case consistent state law state chosen forgive procedural default insofar dissent urges us repudiate application long caldwell decline additionally dissent fear post holding submerge courts flood improper prisoner petitions unrealistic state wishes rely procedural bar rule pro forma order easily write relief denied reasons procedural default course state state law chooses rely procedural bar circumstances basis federal habeas refusing consider merits federal claim see ulster county allen perhaps argued statement sufficed state never reached federal claim state clearly went reject federal claim merits result reference state law state opinion insufficient demonstrate clearly whether intended invoke waiver alternative ground precisely regard ambiguous reference state law context clear reliance federal law long permits federal review federal issue see justice stevens concurring view dissent michigan long appropriate add words explaining unique virtue applying rule case problem presented case dissent michigan long addressed primarily two concerns first adopting presumption favoring assertion federal jurisdiction ambiguous cases ignored longstanding venerated presumption federal courts without jurisdiction unless contrary appears affirmatively record see delaware van arsdall stevens dissenting quoting king bridge otoe county second original form presumption adopted michigan long expanded review cases state courts overprotected respective citizens opinion federal courts particularly primary obligation protect rights individual embodied federal constitution see although cases involving overly expansive interpretations federally protected rights surely merit federal review interest correcting errors necessarily secondary federal courts principal role protector federally secured rights expenditure scarce judicial resources intrusion state affairs accordingly less justified state gone far protecting federal right state failed provide constitutional minimum protection concerns however implicated case federal considering petition writ habeas corpus must decide whether state procedural bar constitutes adequate independent state ground denying relief decisions fay noia wainwright sykes make clear adequate independent state ground decision dispossess federal courts jurisdiction collateral review significantly considering petitions relief federal courts review decisions determine gone far protecting rights citizenry rather perform core function vindicating federally protected rights concerns prevented joining majority opinion michigan long present case join opinion judgment justice chief justice justice scalia join concurring join opinion general agreement decision apply plain statement rule michigan long state courts invocation state procedural default rules write separately emphasize two points first read opinion addressing altering rule lower federal courts may properly inquire availability state remedies determining whether claims presented petition federal habeas corpus properly exhausted state courts see humphrey cady ex parte hawk congress provided writ habeas corpus shall granted unless appears applicant exhausted remedies available courts state either absence available state corrective processes existence circumstances rendering process ineffective protect rights prisoner exhaustion requirement satisfied habeas petitioner right law state raise available procedure question presented thus determining whether remedy particular constitutional claim available federal courts authorized indeed required assess likelihood state accord habeas petitioner hearing merits claim rule requiring habeas petitioner exhaust available remedies state seeking review claims via federal habeas corpus serves two important interests first roots lie respect federal courts owe procedures erected correct constitutional errors confidence state judges take encouraged take constitutional duties seriously second rule furthers interest efficiency federal habeas corpus assuring general factual legal bases surrounding petitioner constitutional claim claims developed prior adjudication see generally rose lundy protect interests held federal habeas petitioner raises claim never presented state forum federal may properly determine whether claim procedurally defaulted state law remedy state unavailable within meaning see engle isaac lower courts consistently looked state procedural default rules making availability determination decision engle see watson alabama cert denied leroy marshall cert denied wayne white williams duckworth cert denied richardson turner beaty patton jackson cupp matias oshiro keener ridenour smith estelle ex rel williams brantley indeed reaffirmed applied rule engle teague lane post contrary rule make sense require plain statement indicating state reliance procedural bar state ever given opportunity pass either procedural posture merits constitutional claim moreover dismissing petitions failure exhaust state remedies often result game judicial state federal courts state prisoner returned state state procedural bar invoked see fay noia ex rel williams brantley supra refuse contribute needless delaying requirements procedure already often results shuttling prisoners back forth state federal courts decision merits ever reached finally rule create incentive proceed immediately federal bypassing state postconviction remedies entirely hope lack state decision applicability state procedural bar treated ambiguity result run counter decisions see rose supra also frustrate congressional purpose embodied sum simply impossible equir state explicit reliance procedural default ante claim raised federal habeas never presented state courts context federal courts quite properly look apply state procedural default rules making congressionally mandated determination whether adequate remedies available state second concern stems majority references decisions murray carrier smith murray decisions reaffirmed holding wainwright sykes state prisoner pursuing federal habeas remedies must show cause procedural default prejudice flowing alleged constitutional violation federal entertain claim merits despite existence otherwise preclusive ground decision murray carrier rejected reworking cause prejudice test dispense requirement petitioner show cause instead focus exclusively whether manifest injustice denial fundamental fairness went indicate remain confident part victims fundamental miscarriage justice meet standard pretend always true accordingly think extraordinary case constitutional violation probably resulted conviction one actually innocent federal habeas may grant writ even absence showing cause procedural default citation omitted justice kennedy dissenting case presents question whether federal may entertain habeas corpus petition without showing cause prejudice state federal claim presented mentions procedural default yet considers also merits claim majority holds federal habeas courts must reach merits federal issue absent explicit reliance bar evidenced plain statement state opinion two premises underlie today holding first although case us federal habeas corpus proceeding majority explores whether ambiguous reference state procedural bar deprive us jurisdiction matter direct review majority discovers rule michigan long designed cases state explicitly relies state substantive ground appears interwoven federal law applies well direct review case ambiguity concerning whether state intended rely procedural bar thus fortified enhanced long rule majority turns case us stakes second premise direct review collateral attack cases governed rule majority therefore concludes federal habeas courts must apply long determining whether state reference procedural bar triggers inquiry prescribed wainwright sykes disagreement majority premises elicits respectful dissent settled law judgment state rests upon two grounds one federal character jurisdiction fails ground independent federal ground adequate support judgment fox film muller rule first announced deny authority revise judgments resting alternative state substantive ground murdock memphis wall later extended bar direct review state judgments rest adequate independent state procedural grounds see henry mississippi herndon georgia follows state refuses consider federal claims owing criminal defendant failure comply state procedural rule otherwise adequate independent lack authority consider claims direct review discussions jurisdictional principle identified circumstances state procedural grounds inadequate support result johnson mississippi james kentucky state procedural grounds deemed independent underlying federal rights ake oklahoma analogous body doctrine aids us assessing independence state substantive grounds see enterprise irrigation dist farmers mutual canal might expected light common history purposes doctrines significant degree overlap precedents declare however important distinguish state substantive grounds state procedural grounds henry mississippi caution indiscriminate application principles developed cases involving state substantive grounds cases involving procedural defaults see see also wainwright sykes supra principles ensure respect integrity judgments michigan long supra considered jurisdiction review judgment michigan ruled search unlawful state opinion relied almost exclusively federal decisions construing fourth amendment though twice cited analogous state constitutional provision review precedents considering whether various forms references state law constitute adequate independent state grounds adopted presumption favor federal review state decision fairly appears rest primarily federal law interwoven federal law adequacy independence possible state law ground clear face opinion resolution ambiguities favor federal review rested critical assumption state judgment contains plain statement effect federal cases used solely persuasive authority state law interwoven federal law accept reasonable explanation state decided case way believed federal law required emphasis added approach added advantage requiring us interpret state laws generally unfamiliar may persuasive argument applying long cases coming direct review independence state procedural ground doubt state rule interwoven federal law example state made application procedural bar depend antecedent ruling federal law determination whether federal constitutional error committed ake oklahoma supra see also longshoremen davis situation presented case us illinois defendant neglects raise claim inadequate representation direct appeal may later assert claim petition relief ex rel devine derobertis collecting cases though strict application doctrine may relaxed fundamental fairness requires people gaines cert denied quoting people burns petitioner claim federal constitutional analysis somehow determinative fundamental fairness illinois law even uncertainty exists point circumstances need plain statement indicating independence state grounds since federal law interwoven determination pennsylvania finley brennan dissenting citing michigan long purported ambiguity case much dissimilar ambiguity confronted long long references state constitution way indicat ed decision rested grounds way independent state interpretation federal law emphasis original thus raising question whether state decided case way believed federal law required see also pennsylvania finley supra stevens dissenting question case remotely implicate independence ground federal law alleged ambiguity illinois appellate opinion relates instead whether state ground invoked majority explain adopting michigan long presumption different context sensible seems applied case reasonable explanation test michigan long suggests illinois referred petitioner procedural default rely interesting aside state rule failure raise claim appeal waiver rule exception presumably intended apply smaller number cases general rule waiver operates lift procedural bar justice requires adopted procedural default rules like structure see roman abrams discussing analogous new york rule cert pending may fairly assumed procedural bars fact subject exception even quite narrow one empirical logical support however view reasonable explanation reference general rule intends rely exception mention contrary unreasonable adopt rule assumes either state courts routinely invoke exceptions procedural bars without saying courts habit disregarding rules indeed majority aim devise rule explain best greatest number similarly ambiguous opinions announce mirror image rule adopted today presume procedural bar invoked unless state plain statement specifically relied exception alternative rule serve majority apparent concern clarity equal measure far accurate assessment intent state cases rule additional advantage presuming state disregarded laws instances either exception bar exception manifestly inapplicable defendant cf black romano must presume state judge followed state law makeweight unconvincing moreover justify majority extension michigan long basis interest avoiding unnecessary inquiries state laws generally unfamiliar michigan long supra concern slight ground procedural rather substantive doctrine adequacy developed context procedural bars already requires us conduct extensive reviews questions state procedural law order determine whether state procedural rule strictly regularly followed johnson mississippi quoting barr columbia state courts may avoid deciding federal issues invoking procedural rules apply evenhandedly similar claims hathorn lovorn institutionally capable assessing whether state procedural rule applied evenhandedly similar claims certainly capable assessing whether given case exception procedural bar applicable invoked sidesteps obvious difficulties new rule stating decision caldwell mississippi already held ambiguity concerning whether state actually relied procedural bar must resolved application long standard ante true caldwell addressed question whether state relied procedural bar referred michigan long indicating somewhat obliquely lower opinion contain explicit statement decision based state law caldwell perhaps entirely clear point difficult view statements announcing conclusively long presumption applies cases doubt concerning whether state intended rely procedural bar event references long rule caldwell entirely unnecessary decision majority uncritical interpretation caldwell controlling authority misplaced caldwell two reasons persuaded us reject state argument procedural bar deprived us jurisdiction first review state opinion persuaded us read meaning procedural waiver basis decision caldwell supra emphasis added explicitly found ambiguity concerning whether state intended rely procedural default references long interpreted requiring long applied cases faced ambiguity second opinion caldwell noted mississippi consistently applied procedural bar capital cases caldwell citation michigan long therefore characterized holding procedural bar oust jurisdiction opinion included plain statement eagerly sought today majority state inconsistent application procedural bar rendered bar inadequate caldwell even state explicitly relied see johnson mississippi supra caldwell interpreted require application long plain statement rule situation us plainest possible statement deprived us jurisdiction caldwell remain convinced reasoning michigan long extend situation doubt whether state intended rely procedural bar ambiguity long concerning whether bar independent federal law facial ambiguities relate solely whether state invoke procedural bar resolved uncritically favor federal review ii even majority correct concluding judgment illinois appellate reviewable michigan long errs concluding federal habeas review must also available equivalence majority finds direct collateral review appears based two arguments first majority asserts wainwright sykes made clear adequate independent state ground doctrine applies federal habeas ante second argues substantial benefits extending michigan long habeas context outweigh state interests may burdened applying long context neither argument persuasive far supporting majority reflexive extension long habeas cases wainwright sykes made clear exhaustive review precedents adequate independent state ground doctrine apply habeas context manner suggested today sykes noted decision fay noia explicitly divorced doctrines governing appellate jurisdiction governing power federal courts entertain habeas corpus applications wainwright sykes supra fay noia view took habeas corpus statute fay state reliance procedural rule even sufficient preclude direct review judgment prevent federal habeas considering underlying constitutional claim matter comity recognized principle habeas review denied applicant ha deliberately orderly procedure state courts ha forfeited state remedies decision sykes placed limits expansive regime fay noia reaffirmed comity federalism principles control weight federal habeas accord state procedural default constitutional concerns mechanical application doctrines governing appellate jurisdiction formed basis holding state procedural default preclude federal habeas review unless applicant shows cause failing comply state rule actual prejudice resulting alleged constitutional violation indeed majority reaffirmation authority federal courts grant habeas relief notwithstanding procedural default showing cause prejudice belies facile equivalence direct collateral review significance sykes case nothing adequate independent state grounds principles governing relationship federal state courts become essential part judicial federalism decision honor state procedural defaults habeas cases intended accord appropriate respect sovereignty federal system ulster county allen determination state intend rely procedural default must made deference state sovereignty motivates willingness honor procedural rules first place majority second argument extending michigan long habeas context seems acknowledge much least purports guided principles federalism comity informed analysis ante majority perfunctory discussion principles however inadequate justify view extending long burden state interests minimally ante producing substantial benefits ibid conclusions view reflect miserly assessment state interest extravagant notion benefits derived extending long habeas cases majority dismisses state interests positing state courts become familiar plain statement rule long one may question whether unrealistic quite unfair expect judges must deal postconviction proceedings lower state courts acquire retain familiarity jurisprudence concerning intricacies jurisdiction pennsylvania finley stevens dissenting event majority improvident extension michigan long burdens significant state interests today opinion even acknowledge emphasized great length engle isaac federal habeas review entails significant costs disturbs state significant interest repose concluded litigation denies society right punish admitted offenders intrudes state sovereignty degree matched exercises federal judicial authority majority new rule increase likelihood costs incurred often majority opinion also reflects little consideration perverse incentives created holding ambiguous order ensure access federal habeas forum prisoners whose claims otherwise procedurally barred every incentive burden state courts stream petitions relief perseverance may due course rewarded suitably ambiguous rebuff perhaps order finding prisoner claim lacks merit stating relief denied instead requiring prisoners justify noncompliance state procedural rules contemplated standard majority decision openly encourages blatant abuse processes circumvention standard established sykes majority explanation questionable advantages new rule allay concerns majority appears think state procedural rules arcane federal district courts courts appeals burdened task determining controlling effect recognized however courts experts matters local law procedure see rummel estelle deferring fifth circuit conclusion petitioner procedurally barred texas law ulster county allen supra noting deference owed second circuit conclusion new york decided constitutional issue merits brown allen far weight given proceedings courts state concerned district familiarity state practice favorable position recognize adequate state grounds denials relief state courts without opinion indeed far regarding decisions questions substantial burdens federal courts ante precedents reveal federal ability dispose cases grounds affirmatively desirable means avoiding possible federal constitutional questions see pennhurst state school hospital halderman ashwander tva brandeis concurring delaware van arsdall stevens dissenting limited familiarity local law may require relaxation salutary principle majority offers sound reason thinking federal courts dire need dispensation especially conferred cost undetermined increase number cases resolved merits even assuming avoidance questions considered unalloyed blessing general matter questions avoided federal habeas cases cite obvious reason habeas statute decisions preclude habeas relief unless appears applicant exhausted remedies available courts state either absence state corrective process existence circumstances rendering process ineffective protect rights prisoner see granberry greer picard connor ex parte hawk cases recognize requirement refers remedies still available time federal habeas petition remedies fact available state courts refuse entertain claim procedural default engle isaac supra thus federal habeas courts must become familiar state rules governing procedural defaults circumstances exceptions rules invoked unequivocal command already requires federal courts become experts procedural rules govern availability postconviction relief state courts majority assessment marginal burdens imposed federal courts need construe rules cases like one us described extravagant decision engle isaac supra strongly reaffirms case two cases decided today ante castille peoples post teague lane post thus belies majority assessment benefits new rule engle also indicates difficulty even fundamental majority reasoning majority premise indeed driving force holding appears always possibility state courts forgive procedural default irrespective clear state law may contrary premise credited even majority premise true engle overruled reaffirmed forgiveness always realistic possibility federal habeas ever invoke engle federal sure given case state courts refuse consider federal claim basis state procedural default rules according majority two different rules guide lower courts consideration procedural default issues today one hand defendant presents claims courts state majority new rule applies federal habeas faced ambiguous opinion may consult sources determine whether state authorized forgive procedural default decide whether circumstances default may overlooked consistent state law present particular case hand defendant never attempted raise claim courts state engle applies federal habeas faced case must look state law decide whether petitioner procedurally barred whether state courts likely waive procedural default federal must apply holding wainwright sykes concludes basis review state courts likely refuse entertain petitioner claim yet obvious engle rule adopted majority case based irreconcilable assumptions regularity predictability state procedural rules difficult predict lower courts faced inconsistent pronouncements soon require us choose one principle nothing illustrate point better decision teague lane post petitioner teague like harris failed raise one federal constitutional claims direct appeal illinois courts illinois procedural rule issue present case petitioner teague barred raising claim collateral proceedings unless fundamental fairness requires default overlooked speaking four members justice concludes petitioner teague exhausted state remedies view limited scope fundamental fairness exception illinois courts clearly refuse entertain merits claim collateral proceedings reason teague plurality concludes petitioner case procedurally barred teague lane post without disagreeing plurality conclusion logically antecedent issues justice white concurs judgment disposing case retroactivity grounds post appears therefore five members view entirely futile remand case illinois courts courts enforce procedural default rules strictly majority explain fail see conclusion possibly squared majority adoption conclusive presumption contrary present case sum decision extend michigan long habeas context ignores important state interests tradition honor advances significant federal interest indeed new rule works important federal interests avoiding possible decisions federal constitutional claims stemming overwhelming tide prisoner petitions neither logic precedent requires perverse result iii appeals acknowledged petitioner properly preserved federal review claim counsel ineffective failing call alibi witnesses however appeals failed address merits claim inquire whether respect claims determined procedurally barred petitioner establish cause prejudice thus secure federal habeas review vacate judgment appeals remand consideration matters remand goes significantly dissent rule majority adopts applies ambiguity concerning whether last state write opinion rejecting applicant claims intended rely procedural bar thus presence ambiguity point logical antecedent application rule entirely clear whether majority treats existence ambiguity case question determined adversely respondent inclined revisit whether majority intends hold state opinion actually ambiguous former seems reasonable reading majority opinion see ante although believe fair interpretation opinion reveal ambiguity follow majority lead treat case opinion ambiguous majority explains new rule entail presumption state courts disobey procedural rules plain statement rule relieves federal determine whether given case consistent state law state chosen forgive procedural default ante course majority reasoning assumes cases ambiguity always exception state procedural bar least arguably applicable situation federal habeas true majority new rule tantamount presumption state courts disobey rules however explain reasonable make assumption concern long importance rendering advisory opinions pertinent present context procedural default rules differ significantly substantive grounds decision reach underlying federal claim despite procedural bar result rendering advisory opinion see henry mississippi indeed recognized perfectly consistent michigan long conduct certain limited inquiries state law see new york class ohio johnson although majority habeas petitioner may obtain relief demonstrating failure consider claim result fundamental miscarriage justice ante clear majority reference relates solely narrow exception cause requirement recognized extraordinary case constitutional violation probably resulted conviction one actually innocent murray carrier see ante fundamental miscarriage justice inquiry narrow exception standard limited claims factual innocence prefer avoid confusion treating separate test majority decision increase prisoner litigation add burden federal courts class cases likely resolved correctly well known prisoner actions occupy disproportionate amount time energy federal judiciary rose mitchell powell concurring judgment many petitions entirely frivolous ibid year ending june almost habeas corpus petitions filed state prisoners see annual report director administrative office courts monumental burden unlikely alleviated rule dubious assumption state courts enforce even obvious procedural bars requires federal courts resolve merits defaulted claims