This law establishes the Capital Unitary Review Act in Pennsylvania, which provides a unified process for challenging death penalty sentences through preappeal collateral review and direct appeal. It ensures defendants have access to new counsel during collateral review and limits subsequent petitions. The law aims to streamline and clarify the review process for capital cases.
It provides a unified process for challenging death penalty sentences, including preappeal collateral review and direct appeal procedures.
A defendant is entitled to new counsel immediately for collateral review after sentencing, before the appeal process begins.
Yes, claims of ineffective assistance of counsel can be raised during the collateral review process.
Yes, no further review is available except as provided under this subchapter, limiting subsequent petitions.