MOTION TO VACATE, SET ASIDE, OR CORRECT SENTENCE

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE [DISTRICT NAME] DISTRICT OF [STATE]

PRELIMINARY CHECKLIST

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

☐ Movant was convicted in a federal court (not state court)
☐ Movant is currently "in custody" under the federal sentence being challenged
☐ Conviction is final (direct appeal concluded or time to appeal expired)
☐ Motion is filed within one (1) year of applicable triggering date (AEDPA limitation)
☐ This is NOT a second or successive motion, OR prior authorization has been obtained from the Court of Appeals
☐ Motion is filed in the same court that imposed the sentence

PART I: MOVANT INFORMATION

1. Movant's Full Legal Name:
_____________________________________________________________

2. Current Place of Confinement:

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

4. Date of Birth: ____________________

5. Social Security Number (last 4 digits): XXX-XX-________

PART II: FEDERAL CONVICTION INFORMATION

6. Federal Court Information:

7. Offense(s) of Conviction:

8. Sentence Information:

9. U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Information:

10. Type of Disposition:

☐ Guilty Plea
☐ No Contest/Nolo Contendere Plea
☐ Jury Trial Verdict
☐ Bench Trial Verdict
☐ Plea Under Rule 11(c)(1)(C) (binding plea agreement)

11. Was a plea agreement entered?

☐ Yes (attach copy if available)
☐ No

12. Did the plea agreement contain a waiver of appeal and/or collateral attack rights?

☐ Yes
☐ No
☐ Not applicable

PART III: DIRECT APPEAL HISTORY

13. Did Movant file a direct appeal?

☐ Yes
☐ No

14. If no direct appeal was filed, explain why:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

15. Direct Appeal Information (if applicable):

16. Issues Raised on Direct Appeal:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

17. Date Conviction Became Final:

☐ Date appeal was decided: _________________
☐ Date certiorari was denied: _________________
☐ Date time for filing notice of appeal expired: _________________
☐ Date time for filing certiorari petition expired: _________________

PART IV: STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS COMPLIANCE

18. AEDPA One-Year Limitation Period:

Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255(f), this motion must be filed within one (1) year of the latest of:

☐ (1) The date on which the judgment of conviction becomes final;

☐ (2) The date on which the impediment to making a motion created by governmental action in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States is removed, if the movant was prevented from making a motion by such governmental action;

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

☐ (4) The date on which the facts supporting the claim or claims presented could have been discovered through the exercise of due diligence.

19. Calculation of Limitation Period:

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

PART V: GROUNDS FOR RELIEF

Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, a federal prisoner may challenge a sentence on the grounds that:

• The sentence was imposed in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States;
• The court was without jurisdiction to impose such sentence;
• The sentence was in excess of the maximum authorized by law; or
• The sentence is otherwise subject to collateral attack.

GROUND ONE:

Nature of Ground (check all that apply):

☐ Constitutional violation
☐ Lack of jurisdiction
☐ Sentence exceeds statutory maximum
☐ Other fundamental error

Specific Claim:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Supporting Facts (provide detailed factual basis for this claim):
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Constitutional or Statutory Provision Violated:
_____________________________________________________________

Was this claim raised on direct appeal?

☐ Yes - Result: ________________________________________________
☐ No - Reason not raised: ________________________________________

Why is Movant raising this claim now if not raised on direct appeal (explain cause and prejudice or actual innocence)?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

GROUND TWO:

Nature of Ground (check all that apply):

☐ Constitutional violation
☐ Lack of jurisdiction
☐ Sentence exceeds statutory maximum
☐ Other fundamental error

Specific Claim:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Supporting Facts (provide detailed factual basis for this claim):
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Constitutional or Statutory Provision Violated:
_____________________________________________________________

Was this claim raised on direct appeal?

☐ Yes - Result: ________________________________________________
☐ No - Reason not raised: ________________________________________

Why is Movant raising this claim now if not raised on direct appeal?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

GROUND THREE:

Nature of Ground (check all that apply):

☐ Constitutional violation
☐ Lack of jurisdiction
☐ Sentence exceeds statutory maximum
☐ Other fundamental error

Specific Claim:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Supporting Facts (provide detailed factual basis for this claim):
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Constitutional or Statutory Provision Violated:
_____________________________________________________________

Was this claim raised on direct appeal?

☐ Yes - Result: ________________________________________________
☐ No - Reason not raised: ________________________________________

Why is Movant raising this claim now if not raised on direct appeal?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

GROUND FOUR:

Nature of Ground (check all that apply):

☐ Constitutional violation
☐ Lack of jurisdiction
☐ Sentence exceeds statutory maximum
☐ Other fundamental error

Specific Claim:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Supporting Facts (provide detailed factual basis for this claim):
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Constitutional or Statutory Provision Violated:
_____________________________________________________________

Was this claim raised on direct appeal?

☐ Yes - Result: ________________________________________________
☐ No - Reason not raised: ________________________________________

Why is Movant raising this claim now if not raised on direct appeal?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

(Attach additional pages if necessary for additional grounds)

PART VI: INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL CLAIMS

If any ground for relief is based on ineffective assistance of counsel, complete this section for each such claim. Under Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984), Movant must establish both (1) deficient performance and (2) prejudice.

INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE CLAIM #1:

A. Deficient Performance Prong:

Identify the attorney: ☐ Trial Counsel ☐ Appellate Counsel ☐ Plea Counsel

Attorney's Name: _______________________________________

Specific act or omission constituting deficient performance:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

How did this conduct fall below an objective standard of reasonableness?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

B. Prejudice Prong:

How would the outcome have been different but for counsel's errors?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Is there a reasonable probability that the result of the proceeding would have been different?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE CLAIM #2:

A. Deficient Performance Prong:

Identify the attorney: ☐ Trial Counsel ☐ Appellate Counsel ☐ Plea Counsel

Attorney's Name: _______________________________________

Specific act or omission constituting deficient performance:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

How did this conduct fall below an objective standard of reasonableness?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

B. Prejudice Prong:

How would the outcome have been different but for counsel's errors?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Is there a reasonable probability that the result of the proceeding would have been different?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

PART VII: PRIOR § 2255 MOTIONS

21. Have you previously filed a motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 attacking this same judgment?

☐ Yes
☐ No

22. If yes, provide details for each prior motion:

23. If this is a second or successive motion:

Before a prisoner may file a second § 2255 motion to challenge a particular judgment, a panel of the appropriate court of appeals must certify that the motion contains:

☐ Newly discovered evidence that, if proven and viewed in light of the evidence as a whole, would be sufficient to establish by clear and convincing evidence that no reasonable factfinder would have found the movant guilty of the offense; OR

☐ A new rule of constitutional law, made retroactive to cases on collateral review by the Supreme Court, that was previously unavailable.

Court of Appeals authorization obtained?

☐ Yes (Case No.: _________________ Date: _________________ )
☐ No - Explain why authorization is not required:
_____________________________________________________________

PART VIII: PROCEDURAL DEFAULT

24. If any ground was not raised on direct appeal, explain cause and prejudice:

Claims not raised on direct appeal are generally procedurally defaulted unless Movant can show:

☐ Cause for the default (explain external factor that prevented raising the claim):
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

☐ Prejudice resulting from the alleged error:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

☐ Actual Innocence (explain how Movant is actually innocent):
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

PART IX: WAIVER OF COLLATERAL ATTACK RIGHTS

25. Did Movant waive the right to file a § 2255 motion in a plea agreement?

☐ Yes
☐ No
☐ Not applicable (proceeded to trial)

26. If yes, explain why the waiver should not bar this motion:

☐ The claims fall outside the scope of the waiver (e.g., ineffective assistance in connection with the plea)
☐ The waiver was not knowing and voluntary
☐ Enforcing the waiver would result in a miscarriage of justice
☐ Other: _____________________________________________________

Explanation:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

PART X: OTHER PENDING MATTERS

27. Do you have any other matter currently pending before any court as to this conviction?

☐ Yes (explain below)
☐ No

Explanation:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

PART XI: REQUEST FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Movant respectfully requests that this Honorable Court:

☐ 1. Vacate Movant's conviction(s) on Count(s) _________________;

☐ 2. Vacate Movant's sentence and order resentencing;

☐ 3. Set aside Movant's conviction and/or sentence;

☐ 4. Correct Movant's sentence to _________________;

☐ 5. Order Movant's release from custody;

☐ 6. Grant a new trial;

☐ 7. Appoint counsel to represent Movant in this proceeding;

☐ 8. Conduct an evidentiary hearing on Movant's claims;

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

☐ 10. 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. I understand that a knowing and willful false statement may be punished by fine or imprisonment or both. (See 18 U.S.C. § 1621.)

Executed on: ______________________ (Date)

At: _______________________________ (City, State)

_________________________________
Movant's Signature

_________________________________
Printed Name

_________________________________
BOP Register Number

PART XIII: CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that on _________________ (date), I served a copy of this Motion Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 on:

United States Attorney for the [District Name] District of [State]:
[Name]
[Address]
[City, State ZIP]

By: ☐ U.S. Mail, first class, postage prepaid
☐ Electronic filing (CM/ECF)
☐ Hand delivery
☐ Other: ___________________

_________________________________
Movant's Signature

STATE-SPECIFIC NOTES

California (Central, Northern, Southern, Eastern Districts)

• Ninth Circuit precedent applies
• Consider Padilla v. Kentucky claims for immigration consequences
• Review Ninth Circuit case law on ineffective assistance standards
• Local rules may require specific formatting and page limits

Texas (Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western Districts)

• Fifth Circuit precedent applies
• Strict adherence to procedural default rules
• Fifth Circuit has specific standards for COA issuance
• Consider any recent Fifth Circuit en banc decisions affecting claims

Florida (Northern, Middle, Southern Districts)

• Eleventh Circuit precedent applies
• Career offender challenges may be available
• Review recent Eleventh Circuit guidance on sentencing claims
• Consider Armed Career Criminal Act challenges if applicable

New York (Southern, Eastern, Northern, Western Districts)

• Second Circuit precedent applies
• Second Circuit has specific standards for ineffective assistance claims
• Consider any supervised release issues
• Review Second Circuit guidance on plea withdrawal claims

ATTACHMENTS CHECKLIST

☐ Judgment and Commitment Order
☐ Plea Agreement (if applicable)
☐ Sentencing Transcript (if available)
☐ Plea Colloquy Transcript (if available)
☐ Presentence Investigation Report (PSR) (if available)
☐ Direct Appeal Decision(s)
☐ Prior § 2255 Motion(s) and Order(s) (if any)
☐ Court of Appeals Authorization Order (if successive motion)
☐ Supporting Affidavits and Declarations
☐ Documentary Evidence Supporting Claims
☐ Memorandum of Law (recommended)

COMMON GROUNDS FOR § 2255 RELIEF

IMPORTANT DEADLINES AND REQUIREMENTS

This template is based on federal requirements under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 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 and current case law from the relevant Circuit Court of Appeals.