Opinion summary
Etalia.ai summary of the majority opinion
The case involved the Republic of Paraguay and its national, Angel Francisco Breard, who was convicted of murder in Virginia. Paraguay argued that Breard's rights under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations were violated because he was not informed of his right to consular assistance after arrest. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered a stay of execution pending review, but U.S. courts proceeded with domestic legal standards instead. The Supreme Court denied relief to Paraguay and Breard, emphasizing procedural default rules which barred consideration since these claims were not raised at trial or on direct appeal. Additionally, it highlighted that international treaties like the Vienna Convention do not automatically override state procedural laws unless explicitly stated by Congress.
Opinion of the Court
Decided 14 Apr 1998 · Official report