Final answer:
C. Depends on the nature of the interference
The answer to whether a death litigant's interference equals ineffective assistance of counsel depends on the nature of the interference and its impact on the case. Not every interference is sufficient to meet the Strickland v. Washington standard for ineffective counsel, which requires showing a deficient performance affecting the outcome.
Step-by-step explanation:
Does a death litigant's interference equal ineffective assistance of counsel? The answer is C. Depends on the nature of the interference. According to the standard set by Strickland v. Washington, to prove ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must demonstrate that the attorney's performance was deficient and that this inadequacy affected the outcome of the case. In Padilla v. Kentucky, the Supreme Court elaborated on the duty of criminal defense attorneys to advise clients on the risk of deportation. Not all interference by a litigant amounts to ineffective assistance; the interference must be significant enough to undermine the ability of the attorney to meet the objective standard of reasonableness and affect the proceeding's outcome.