PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE [DISTRICT NAME] DISTRICT OF [STATE]

PRELIMINARY CHECKLIST

Before filing this petition, verify the following requirements are met:

☐ Petitioner is currently "in custody" pursuant to a state court judgment
☐ Petition raises federal constitutional or federal law claims (not solely state law issues)
☐ All state court remedies have been exhausted, OR exhaustion exception applies
☐ Petition is filed within one (1) year of the date conviction became final (AEDPA limitation)
☐ This is NOT a second or successive petition, OR prior authorization has been obtained from the Court of Appeals
☐ Filing fee of $5.00 is attached, OR In Forma Pauperis application is included

PART I: PETITIONER INFORMATION

1. Petitioner's Full Legal Name:
_____________________________________________________________

2. Current Place of Confinement:

3. Prior Names or Aliases (if any):
_____________________________________________________________

4. Date of Birth: ____________________

5. Place of Birth: ____________________

PART II: STATE COURT CONVICTION INFORMATION

6. Conviction Being Challenged:

7. Offense(s) of Conviction:

8. Sentence Imposed:

9. Type of Plea or Verdict:

☐ Guilty Plea
☐ No Contest/Nolo Contendere Plea
☐ Jury Trial Verdict
☐ Bench Trial Verdict
☐ Alford Plea

PART III: DIRECT APPEAL HISTORY

10. Did Petitioner appeal the conviction and/or sentence?

☐ Yes
☐ No (If no, explain why in Section 11)

11. If no appeal was taken, state the reason:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

12. Direct Appeal Information:

13. Issues Raised on Direct Appeal:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

14. Date Conviction Became Final:
(For AEDPA purposes, this is generally 90 days after the state supreme court decision if no certiorari petition was filed, or the date certiorari was denied if a petition was filed)

Date: _______________________

PART IV: STATE POST-CONVICTION PROCEEDINGS

15. Did Petitioner file any state post-conviction or collateral proceedings?

☐ Yes
☐ No

16. If yes, provide details for each proceeding:

State Post-Conviction Proceeding #1:

State Post-Conviction Proceeding #2:

State Post-Conviction Proceeding #3:

PART V: EXHAUSTION OF STATE REMEDIES

17. Exhaustion Statement:

For each ground for relief raised in this petition, Petitioner must have presented the same factual and legal basis to the state's highest court. Complete the following:

☐ All grounds for relief in this petition have been properly exhausted in state court
☐ Some grounds have not been exhausted (explain below)
☐ Exhaustion should be excused because:
☐ There is no available state corrective process
☐ Circumstances exist rendering state process ineffective to protect Petitioner's rights
☐ Other: _______________________________________

Explanation for any unexhausted claims:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

PART VI: STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS COMPLIANCE

18. AEDPA One-Year Limitation Period:

The AEDPA requires this petition be filed within one (1) year from the latest of:

☐ (A) The date on which the judgment of conviction became final by the conclusion of direct review or the expiration of the time for seeking such review;

☐ (B) The date on which an impediment to filing created by State action in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States is removed, if the applicant was prevented from filing by such State action;

☐ (C) The date on which the constitutional right asserted was initially recognized by the Supreme Court, if the right has been newly recognized and made retroactively applicable to cases on collateral review; or

☐ (D) The date on which the factual predicate of the claim(s) presented could have been discovered through the exercise of due diligence.

19. Calculation of Limitation Period:

20. If petition appears untimely, explain basis for timeliness or equitable tolling:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

PART VII: GROUNDS FOR RELIEF

GROUND ONE:

Statement of Ground:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Supporting Facts (state specific facts supporting this claim):
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Federal Constitutional or Legal Provision Violated:
_____________________________________________________________

How was this claim raised in state court (cite proceedings and dates)?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

How did the state court rule on this claim?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

GROUND TWO:

Statement of Ground:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Supporting Facts (state specific facts supporting this claim):
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Federal Constitutional or Legal Provision Violated:
_____________________________________________________________

How was this claim raised in state court (cite proceedings and dates)?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

How did the state court rule on this claim?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

GROUND THREE:

Statement of Ground:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Supporting Facts (state specific facts supporting this claim):
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Federal Constitutional or Legal Provision Violated:
_____________________________________________________________

How was this claim raised in state court (cite proceedings and dates)?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

How did the state court rule on this claim?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

GROUND FOUR:

Statement of Ground:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Supporting Facts (state specific facts supporting this claim):
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Federal Constitutional or Legal Provision Violated:
_____________________________________________________________

How was this claim raised in state court (cite proceedings and dates)?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

How did the state court rule on this claim?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

(Attach additional pages if necessary for additional grounds)

PART VIII: AEDPA STANDARD OF REVIEW

21. State Court Adjudication:

Petitioner acknowledges that under 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d), this Court may not grant relief unless the state court adjudication:

☐ (1) Resulted in a decision that was contrary to, or involved an unreasonable application of, clearly established Federal law, as determined by the Supreme Court of the United States; or

☐ (2) Resulted in a decision that was based on an unreasonable determination of the facts in light of the evidence presented in the State court proceeding.

22. Explanation of how state court decision meets § 2254(d) standard:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

PART IX: PRIOR FEDERAL HABEAS PETITIONS

23. Have you previously filed a federal habeas corpus petition challenging this conviction?

☐ Yes
☐ No

24. If yes, provide details:

25. If this is a second or successive petition:

☐ Authorization from the Court of Appeals has been obtained (attach copy)
☐ Authorization has been requested (provide case number): _______________
☐ Petition relies on newly discovered evidence OR a new rule of constitutional law made retroactive by the Supreme Court (explain below)

Explanation:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

PART X: OTHER PENDING PROCEEDINGS

26. Do you have any other matter pending before any court regarding this judgment?

☐ Yes (explain below)
☐ No

Explanation:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

PART XI: REQUEST FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that this Honorable Court:

1. Issue a Writ of Habeas Corpus directing Respondent to release Petitioner from custody;

2. In the alternative, vacate Petitioner's conviction and sentence and order a new trial;

3. In the alternative, vacate Petitioner's sentence and order resentencing;

4. Appoint counsel to represent Petitioner in this proceeding;

5. Conduct an evidentiary hearing on Petitioner's claims;

6. Issue a Certificate of Appealability if any claim is denied;

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

PART XII: 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

_________________________________
Prisoner Number

PART XIII: CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that on _________________ (date), I served a copy of this Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus on:

Respondent:
[Warden/Superintendent Name]
[Institution Name]
[Address]
[City, State ZIP]

Attorney General of [State]:
[Name]
[Address]
[City, State ZIP]

District Attorney (County of Conviction):
[Name]
[Address]
[City, State ZIP]

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

_________________________________
Petitioner's Signature

STATE-SPECIFIC NOTES

California

• State habeas corpus governed by California Penal Code §§ 1473-1508
• Must exhaust remedies in California Court of Appeal and California Supreme Court
• California allows habeas based on false evidence, newly discovered evidence, and Racial Justice Act violations (Penal Code § 745)
• Time limits for state habeas are governed by reasonableness standards, not strict deadlines

Texas

• State post-conviction writs governed by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 11.07 (non-capital) and 11.071 (capital)
• Writ must be filed with the convicting court and is returnable to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
• Strict successive writ limitations apply under Texas law
• Must raise claims that could not be raised on direct appeal

Florida

• State post-conviction relief governed by Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.850
• Two-year filing deadline from date judgment becomes final (with exceptions)
• Must exhaust all Florida appellate remedies before federal habeas
• Newly discovered evidence claims have separate two-year deadline from discovery date

New York

• State post-conviction relief governed by CPL Article 440 (Motion to Vacate Judgment - CPL 440.10)
• No strict deadline, but motion should be filed promptly
• Must file CPL 440 motion before direct appeal for strategic purposes
• Coram nobis available for claims arising from appellate record (CPL 440.10 for off-record claims)

ATTACHMENTS CHECKLIST

☐ Copy of state court judgment of conviction
☐ Copy of state appellate court opinions (all levels)
☐ Copy of state post-conviction court orders
☐ Copy of any prior federal habeas petitions and orders
☐ Copy of Certificate of Appealability authorization (if successive petition)
☐ In Forma Pauperis Application and Declaration (if applicable)
☐ Supporting exhibits and evidence
☐ Memorandum of Law (optional but recommended)

IMPORTANT DEADLINES AND REQUIREMENTS

This template is based on federal requirements under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 as amended by the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996. Filing requirements and local rules vary by district. Consult the local rules of the applicable United States District Court.