PETITION FOR WRIT OF ERROR CORAM NOBIS

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1651 (All Writs Act)

---

IN THE [COURT NAME]

[DISTRICT/COUNTY], [STATE]

[GOVERNMENT/STATE/PEOPLE],
Plaintiff,	Criminal Case No.: _________________
v.	PETITION FOR WRIT OF
	ERROR CORAM NOBIS
[PETITIONER FULL NAME],
Petitioner/Defendant.

---

INTRODUCTION

Petitioner respectfully petitions this Honorable Court for a writ of error coram nobis to vacate the criminal conviction entered against Petitioner in the above-captioned case. This petition is brought pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1651, the All Writs Act, and the inherent power of this Court to correct errors of fact that result in a fundamental miscarriage of justice.

A writ of coram nobis is appropriate because Petitioner has completed the sentence imposed and is no longer "in custody" for purposes of habeas corpus relief, yet continues to suffer significant adverse consequences from the challenged conviction.

---

PRELIMINARY CHECKLIST

Before filing this petition, verify the following requirements:

☐ Petitioner has completed the sentence (no longer "in custody")
☐ Petitioner continues to suffer adverse civil consequences from the conviction
☐ No other adequate remedy is available (habeas corpus, § 2255, direct appeal)
☐ Valid reasons exist for not attacking the conviction earlier
☐ The error alleged is a fundamental error of fact (not merely legal error)
☐ The error would have prevented the conviction if known at trial
☐ Filing is made in the court that entered the conviction

---

PART I: JURISDICTION AND VENUE

1. Jurisdictional Basis:

This Court has jurisdiction over this petition pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1651, which provides that federal courts "may issue all writs necessary or appropriate in aid of their respective jurisdictions and agreeable to the usages and principles of law."

The Supreme Court in United States v. Morgan, 346 U.S. 502 (1954), confirmed that federal courts retain authority to issue writs of coram nobis to correct fundamental errors in federal criminal convictions where habeas corpus is unavailable because the petitioner is no longer in custody.

2. Venue:

☐ This petition is filed in the court that entered the conviction being challenged
☐ Court of conviction: _______________________________________________

---

PART II: PETITIONER INFORMATION

3. Petitioner's Full Legal Name:
_____________________________________________________________

4. Current Address:

Field	Information
Street Address:
City, State, ZIP:
Phone:
Email:

5. Date of Birth:
_____________________________________________________________

6. Citizenship/Immigration Status (if relevant to consequences):
_____________________________________________________________

---

PART III: CONVICTION INFORMATION

7. Court of Conviction:

Field	Information
Court Name:
County/District:
State:
Case Number:
Presiding Judge:

8. Offense(s) of Conviction:

Count	Offense	Statute	Date of Offense
1
2
3

9. Conviction Details:

Field	Information
Date of Conviction:
Type of Disposition:	☐ Guilty Plea ☐ Trial Verdict
Date of Sentencing:

10. Sentence Imposed:

Component	Details
Imprisonment:
Probation:
Fine:
Restitution:
Other:

11. Date Sentence Completed:
_____________________________________________________________

---

PART IV: CUSTODY STATUS

12. Confirmation That Petitioner Is No Longer in Custody:

☐ Petitioner has fully completed all components of the sentence
☐ Petitioner is not on parole, probation, or supervised release
☐ Petitioner is not subject to any form of restraint arising from the challenged conviction

Date all custody and supervision terminated: _________________________

Note: Coram nobis is only available when the petitioner has completed the sentence and is no longer in custody. If any form of custody or supervised release continues, habeas corpus (28 U.S.C. § 2254 for state convictions or § 2255 for federal convictions) is the appropriate remedy.

---

PART V: FOUR REQUIREMENTS FOR CORAM NOBIS RELIEF

The Supreme Court in United States v. Morgan and subsequent cases have established that coram nobis relief requires the petitioner to satisfy four requirements:

REQUIREMENT 1: NO OTHER ADEQUATE REMEDY AVAILABLE

13. Explain why no other remedy is available:

☐ Habeas corpus is unavailable because Petitioner is no longer in custody
☐ 28 U.S.C. § 2255 is unavailable because Petitioner is no longer in custody
☐ Direct appeal has been exhausted or time for appeal has expired
☐ Motion for new trial is time-barred
☐ Other post-conviction remedies are unavailable because: ________________
_____________________________________________________________

Detailed Explanation:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

---

REQUIREMENT 2: VALID REASONS FOR NOT ATTACKING CONVICTION EARLIER

14. Explain why the conviction was not challenged earlier:

☐ The error was not known at the time of conviction
☐ The error was not discoverable through reasonable diligence
☐ Petitioner was unaware of the legal significance of the error
☐ Petitioner was in custody and pursued habeas corpus (explain disposition)
☐ Circumstances prevented earlier challenge
☐ Other: _____________________________________________________

Detailed Explanation:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

When did Petitioner first become aware of the error?
_____________________________________________________________

What prompted discovery of the error?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

---

REQUIREMENT 3: ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES FROM THE CONVICTION

15. Ongoing Civil Disabilities and Consequences:

The Supreme Court in Morgan held that coram nobis requires that the conviction have "serious" continuing consequences. Check all that apply and provide details:

Employment Consequences:

☐ Cannot obtain professional license (specify): _________________________
☐ Cannot work in certain fields (specify): _____________________________
☐ Lost employment due to conviction
☐ Barred from government employment
☐ Other employment impact: ________________________________________

Immigration Consequences:

☐ Subject to deportation/removal proceedings
☐ Ineligible for naturalization
☐ Ineligible for visa or immigration benefit
☐ Removal proceedings initiated (Case No.: ___________________)
☐ Other immigration impact: ________________________________________

Civil Rights Consequences:

☐ Cannot vote
☐ Cannot possess firearms
☐ Cannot serve on jury
☐ Cannot hold public office
☐ Other civil rights impact: _________________________________________

Housing Consequences:

☐ Cannot obtain public housing
☐ Barred from certain housing programs
☐ Other housing impact: ___________________________________________

Educational Consequences:

☐ Cannot obtain student loans/financial aid
☐ Barred from certain educational programs
☐ Other educational impact: ________________________________________

Other Significant Consequences:

☐ Sex offender registration requirement
☐ Enhanced penalties in subsequent proceedings
☐ Reputational harm
☐ Other: _______________________________________________________

16. Detailed Description of Adverse Consequences:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

---

REQUIREMENT 4: FUNDAMENTAL ERROR

17. Nature of the Error:

Coram nobis corrects errors of the most fundamental character—errors of fact that were unknown at trial and would have prevented the conviction if known. This remedy is NOT available for:
- Legal errors apparent from the record
- Claims that could have been raised on appeal
- Ordinary trial errors

Type of Fundamental Error Alleged:

☐ Petitioner was incompetent at time of proceedings
☐ Petitioner was under the influence of drugs/medication affecting judgment
☐ Petitioner suffered from mental illness affecting ability to participate
☐ Petitioner was not informed of critical consequences of plea (immigration, etc.)
☐ Coercion or duress affected the proceedings
☐ Fraud upon the court
☐ Newly discovered evidence of factual innocence
☐ Other fundamental error: _________________________________________

18. Detailed Description of the Error:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

19. Why This Error Is Fundamental:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

20. How This Error Would Have Prevented the Conviction:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

---

PART VI: SPECIFIC CLAIMS

CLAIM ONE:

Statement of Claim:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Facts Supporting This Claim:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Why This Claim Satisfies Coram Nobis Requirements:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

---

CLAIM TWO (if applicable):

Statement of Claim:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Facts Supporting This Claim:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Why This Claim Satisfies Coram Nobis Requirements:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

---

CLAIM THREE (if applicable):

Statement of Claim:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Facts Supporting This Claim:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Why This Claim Satisfies Coram Nobis Requirements:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

---

PART VII: PRIOR PROCEEDINGS

21. Direct Appeal History:

Court	Case Number	Date	Result

22. Prior Post-Conviction Proceedings:

Type of Proceeding	Court	Case Number	Date	Result

23. Prior Coram Nobis Petitions:

☐ This is the first coram nobis petition challenging this conviction
☐ Prior petition(s) filed (provide details):

Court	Case Number	Date	Result

---

PART VIII: STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS / LACHES

24. Timeliness:

Unlike habeas corpus, coram nobis has no statutory limitations period. However, the doctrine of laches may bar relief if unreasonable delay causes prejudice to the government.

Explain why this petition is timely despite any delay:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Explain why the government will not be prejudiced by the delay:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

---

PART IX: SUPPORTING EVIDENCE

25. List of Attachments:

Exhibit	Description
A
B
C
D
E

26. Affidavits/Declarations Attached:

☐ Affidavit of Petitioner
☐ Affidavit(s) of witness(es)
☐ Expert declaration(s)
☐ Medical/psychological records
☐ Immigration documents
☐ Professional licensing documents
☐ Other: _____________________________________________________

---

PART X: REQUEST FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that this Honorable Court:

☐ 1. Issue a Writ of Error Coram Nobis;

☐ 2. Vacate Petitioner's conviction in the above-captioned case;

☐ 3. Dismiss the charges against Petitioner;

☐ 4. In the alternative, permit withdrawal of Petitioner's guilty plea and order a new trial;

☐ 5. Conduct an evidentiary hearing on this petition;

☐ 6. Appoint counsel to represent Petitioner (if appropriate);

☐ 7. Grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

---

PART XI: VERIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

I, _________________________________, declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that a false statement may result in prosecution for perjury.

Executed on: ______________________ (Date)

At: _______________________________ (City, State)

_________________________________
Petitioner's Signature

_________________________________
Printed Name

---

Attorney Information (if represented):

_________________________________
Attorney Name

_________________________________
Bar Number

_________________________________
Address

_________________________________
Phone / Email

---

PART XII: CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that on _________________ (date), I served a copy of this Petition for Writ of Error Coram Nobis on:

[United States Attorney / District Attorney / Prosecutor]:
[Name]
[Address]
[City, State ZIP]

By: ☐ U.S. Mail, first class, postage prepaid
☐ Electronic filing
☐ Hand delivery
☐ Other: ___________________

_________________________________
Signature

---

STATE-SPECIFIC NOTES

California

• California recognizes coram nobis under common law and Penal Code § 1265
• Available when habeas corpus is unavailable (sentence completed)
• Must show: (1) newly discovered fact; (2) fact could not have been discovered earlier; (3) fact would have prevented conviction
• California also has statutory writ of habeas corpus that may be available post-custody
• People v. Kim, 45 Cal.4th 1078 (2009) - California's leading case on coram nobis

Texas

• Texas recognizes coram nobis but rarely grants relief
• Generally must be filed in the convicting court
• Texas courts have held coram nobis is available for "extrinsic fraud"
• Post-conviction habeas under Article 11.07 may be more appropriate in many cases
• Consider whether adverse consequences meet Texas standards

Florida

• Florida recognizes coram nobis under common law
• Florida courts apply strict requirements similar to federal standard
• Must demonstrate ongoing civil disabilities
• Consider Rule 3.850 if still within time limits
• Richardson v. State, 546 So.2d 1037 (Fla. 1989)

New York

• New York uses coram nobis for claims arising from the appellate record (ineffective appellate counsel)
• For claims outside the record, use CPL § 440.10
• New York coram nobis is addressed to the intermediate appellate court
• People v. Bachert, 69 N.Y.2d 593 (1987)
• Different procedure than federal coram nobis

---

COMMON GROUNDS FOR CORAM NOBIS RELIEF

Ground	Description
Immigration Consequences	Failure to advise of deportation consequences (Padilla v. Kentucky claims post-custody)
Mental Incompetence	Petitioner was incompetent at time of plea or trial
Coercion/Duress	Conviction obtained through coercion
Fraud on the Court	Government engaged in fraud affecting conviction
Actual Innocence	New evidence of factual innocence (in some jurisdictions)
Invalid Plea	Plea was not knowing, intelligent, and voluntary

---

KEY LEGAL AUTHORITIES

Case	Holding
United States v. Morgan, 346 U.S. 502 (1954)	Federal courts may issue coram nobis under All Writs Act
Carlisle v. United States, 517 U.S. 416 (1996)	Coram nobis continues to exist in federal system
United States v. Denedo, 556 U.S. 904 (2009)	Military courts may issue coram nobis
Padilla v. Kentucky, 559 U.S. 356 (2010)	Immigration advice claims (may apply via coram nobis post-custody)

---

ATTACHMENTS CHECKLIST

☐ Judgment of Conviction
☐ Sentencing Order
☐ Proof that sentence has been completed
☐ Documentation of ongoing adverse consequences
☐ Affidavit of Petitioner
☐ Supporting affidavits/declarations
☐ Medical/psychological records (if competency claim)
☐ Immigration documents (if immigration consequences)
☐ Professional licensing documents (if employment consequences)
☐ Prior court orders
☐ Memorandum of Law

---

IMPORTANT NOTES

1. Extraordinary Remedy: Coram nobis is an extraordinary remedy granted only in unusual circumstances. Courts construe it narrowly.

2. Not a Substitute for Appeal or Habeas: If another remedy is available, coram nobis will be denied.

3. Fundamental Errors Only: This writ corrects only the most fundamental errors that resulted in a complete miscarriage of justice.

4. Burden of Proof: The petitioner bears the burden of establishing entitlement to relief.

5. Discretionary Relief: Even if requirements are met, the grant of relief is discretionary.

---

This template addresses the writ of error coram nobis under federal law and provides state-specific guidance. Requirements and procedures vary significantly by jurisdiction. Consult applicable law and local court rules.