People v. Cotto

This case presents question as to whether trial court properly denied defendant’s post-conviction petition, where defendant alleged that his privately-retained, post-conviction counsel was ineffective for failing to contest State’s assertion that untimely filing of instant post-conviction petition was due to defendant’s culpable negligence. Appellate Court, in affirming instant dismissal, found that Post-Conviction Hearing Act does not require/guarantee reasonable assistance of privately-retained counsel, and thus defendant had failed to state cognizable claim. (Dissent filed.)