United States Third Circuit

Upon finding a potential Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act statute of limitations problem in a habeas case, a district court may act sua sponte at any point in the proceeding provided it gives notice of the issue and an opportunity to respond.

Appellate Information

• Argued Array
• Decided 05/16/2005
• Published 05/16/2005

Judges

• Before:  SCIRICA, Chief Judge, SLOVITER, NYGAARD, ROTH, McKEE, RENDELL, BARRY, AMBRO, FUENTES, SMITH, FISHER, and VAN ANTWERPEN, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States Third Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• David R. Fine, Esq. (Argued), Marsha A. Sajer, Esq., Robert A. Lawton, Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham LLP, Harrisburg, PA, Counsel for Appellants., Maureen Kearney Rowley, Esq., Chief Federal Defender, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Helen Marino, Esq., Michael Wiseman, Esq., Office of the Federal Defender, Philadelphia, PA, Amicus Curiae supporting Appellants.


• For Appellees:
  
• Colm F. Connolly, United States Attorney, District of Delaware, Richard G. Andrews, Esq. (Argued), Office of the United States Attorney, Wilmington, DE, Counsel for Appellees at 01-2468., Thomas A. Marino, Esq., United States Attorney, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Theodore B. Smith, III, Esq. (Argued), William A. Behe, Esq., Office of the United States Attorney, Harrisburg, PA, Counsel for Appellees at 02-2624., Patrick L. Meehan, Esq., United States Attorney, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Laurie Magid, Esq., Robert A. Zauzmer, Esq., Michael J. Bresnick, Esq., Office of the United States Attorney, Philadelphia, PA, Amicus Curiae supporting Appellees.