Supreme Court of Florida

Vagner v. Wainwright

May 7, 1981398 So. 2d 448

Summary

The Florida Supreme Court held that claims of ineffective assistance of privately retained counsel are cognizable grounds for challenging a conviction, applying the same standard as for appointed counsel. It rejected the prior Cappetta doctrine that barred such challenges and discharged the petition for writ without prejudice, allowing the petitioner to seek post‑conviction relief under Rule 3.850.