The Supreme Court eliminated the possibility of presenting exculpatory evidence to a federal court after an incompetent defense lawyer failed to present it in the initial trial — or failed to sign a form in time.

This decision places respect for the court system above the rights of people to a fair trial. Instead of making the system give justice, this decision closes its eyes to its failures and defines them away. That's called "finality."

It would indeed be a good thing if we could count on trial defense lawyers to do their jobs properly and present all important evidence for the defense. Instead of pretending they did so, our legal system should make damned sure they do so.