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ORSBORN, WARDENv.LONG

CourtSupreme Court of Georgia
Docket No.S26A0938
DecidedSeptember 9, 2026
JudgesLaGrua, J.; all justices concurred
Tags
CriminalHabeas CorpusGuilty PleasIneffective Assistance of CounselPrejudice
Case Summary

Patricia Long pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and related hit-and-run and DUI charges. A habeas court later granted relief, finding plea counsel ineffective for not explaining that Long could seek to withdraw her plea during the same term and for not providing discovery. The Supreme Court of Georgia applied Strickland and Hill and held that Long had not shown prejudice: the record contained no evidence that she would have rejected the plea and insisted on trial, given the charges and trial prospects. It reversed the habeas court’s order granting relief.

Opinion

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ORSBORN, WARDEN v. LONG — The Atlanta Gleaner