United States v. Chambliss

United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit F I L E D IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT October 24, 2006 Charles R. Fulbruge III Clerk No. 06-50031 Conference Calendar UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, versus ORBIE DALE CHAMBLISS, Defendant-Appellant. -------------------- Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas USDC No. 7:05-CR-52-1 -------------------- Before JOLLY, DeMOSS, and STEWART, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* Orbie Dale Chambliss appeals his convictions for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He argues that his counsel rendered ineffective assistance by failing to seek suppression of inculpatory statements Chambliss made prior to his arrest. A claim of ineffective assistance generally will not be considered for the first time on direct appeal. United States v. Lampazianie, 251 F.3d 519, 527 (5th Cir. 2001). * Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR. R. 47.5.4. No. 06-50031 -2- “[I]neffective-assistance claims ordinarily will be litigated in the first instance in the district court, the forum best suited to developing the facts necessary to determining the adequacy of representation during an entire trial.” Massaro v. United States, 538 U.S. 500, 504-05 (2003); see also United States v. Chavez-Valencia, 116 F.3d 127, 133-34 (5th Cir. 1997) (declining to review claim that counsel was ineffective for failing to file motion to suppress). We conclude that a motion brought under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 would be preferable to direct appeal for deciding Chambliss’s claim. See Massaro, 538 U.S. at 504-05. Accordingly, without prejudice to Chambliss’s right to file a motion pursuant to § 2255, the judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.