The Supreme Court of Georgia has reversed a Habersham County court’s ruling that set aside a woman’s armed robbery convictions and 20-year prison sentence.
Bridgette Hines, an inmate at Lee Arrendale State Prison in Alto, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for a 2009 Clayton County armed robbery and five years in prison for contributing to the delinquency of a minor for involving her 12-year-old son in the crime.
In August 2017, Hines filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, a civil proceeding that allows convicted prisoners to challenge their convictions on constitutional grounds in the county where they’re incarcerated.
Hines claimed received ineffective counsel from her appeals attorney.
In a unanimous opinion, the Supreme Court reversed the Habersham County habeas court’s ruling and reinstated Hines’ convictions and sentence.
“Hines has failed to show ineffective counsel,” the Supreme Court ruling states.
Follow this link for the full content of Tuesday's ruling from the high court.
