PETITION FOR POST-CONVICTION RELIEF

(State Court Universal Template)

IN THE [COURT NAME]

[COUNTY], [STATE]

INTRODUCTION

Petitioner respectfully submits this Petition for Post-Conviction Relief pursuant to [State Statute/Rule] and requests that this Court vacate, set aside, or correct the judgment of conviction and/or sentence entered against Petitioner. This petition is supported by the facts and legal arguments set forth below.

PRELIMINARY CHECKLIST

Before filing this petition, verify the following:

☐ Identify the correct state procedural vehicle (see State-Specific Notes)
☐ Determine applicable statute of limitations/filing deadline
☐ Ensure grounds were not/could not have been raised on direct appeal
☐ Determine if exhaustion of other remedies is required
☐ Identify if this is a successive petition (restrictions may apply)
☐ Prepare supporting affidavits and documentation
☐ Verify filing requirements (format, copies, fees)

PART I: PROCEDURAL VEHICLE

1. State Post-Conviction Statute/Rule Invoked:

☐ California: Habeas Corpus (Penal Code §§ 1473-1508)
☐ Texas: Article 11.07 Writ of Habeas Corpus (non-capital)
☐ Florida: Rule 3.850 Motion for Post-Conviction Relief
☐ New York: CPL § 440.10 Motion to Vacate Judgment
☐ Other State: _________________________________________________

Specific Statute/Rule Citation:
_____________________________________________________________

PART II: PETITIONER INFORMATION

2. Petitioner's Full Legal Name:
_____________________________________________________________

3. Other Names or Aliases:
_____________________________________________________________

4. Current Status:

☐ Incarcerated at: _______________________________________________
Inmate/Prisoner Number: ________________________________________

☐ On probation/parole/supervised release

☐ Sentence completed (if seeking to vacate conviction)

☐ Other: ______________________________________________________

5. Contact Information:

6. Attorney Information (if represented):

PART III: CONVICTION INFORMATION

7. Court of Conviction:

8. Offense(s) of Conviction:

9. Conviction Details:

10. Type of Disposition:

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

11. Sentence Imposed:

12. Trial/Plea Counsel:

PART IV: DIRECT APPEAL HISTORY

13. Direct Appeal Filed:

☐ Yes
☐ No

14. If No Direct Appeal, Explain Why:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

15. Direct Appeal Information (if applicable):

16. Issues Raised on Direct Appeal:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

17. Date Conviction Became Final:
_____________________________________________________________

PART V: PRIOR POST-CONVICTION PROCEEDINGS

18. Have you previously filed any post-conviction motions or petitions challenging this conviction?

☐ No
☐ Yes (provide details below)

Prior Post-Conviction Proceedings:

19. If this is a successive petition, explain why it should be considered:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

PART VI: TIMELINESS

20. Applicable Time Limit:

State-Specific Deadline: _______________________________________

21. Calculation of Timeliness:

22. If petition appears untimely, explain basis for timeliness:

☐ Newly discovered evidence (explain): _____________________________
☐ Change in law made retroactive (cite): ____________________________
☐ State-created impediment (explain): ______________________________
☐ Due diligence exception (explain): _______________________________
☐ Other exception (explain): _____________________________________

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

PART VII: GROUNDS FOR RELIEF

State all grounds on which you seek post-conviction relief. You must state all available grounds in this petition, as failure to do so may result in waiver of claims not raised.

GROUND ONE:

Legal Basis for Relief:

☐ Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
☐ Prosecutorial Misconduct
☐ Newly Discovered Evidence
☐ Actual Innocence
☐ Constitutional Violation (specify): _______________________________
☐ Illegal Sentence
☐ Court Lacked Jurisdiction
☐ Involuntary Plea
☐ Brady Violation (failure to disclose exculpatory evidence)
☐ False Evidence Used at Trial
☐ Change in Law (made retroactive)
☐ Other: _____________________________________________________

Statement of Ground:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Supporting Facts (be specific and detailed):
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Was this ground raised on direct appeal?

☐ Yes - Result: ________________________________________________
☐ No - Reason: ________________________________________________

If not raised on appeal, explain why it could not have been raised:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

GROUND TWO:

Legal Basis for Relief:

☐ Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
☐ Prosecutorial Misconduct
☐ Newly Discovered Evidence
☐ Actual Innocence
☐ Constitutional Violation (specify): _______________________________
☐ Illegal Sentence
☐ Court Lacked Jurisdiction
☐ Involuntary Plea
☐ Brady Violation
☐ False Evidence Used at Trial
☐ Change in Law (made retroactive)
☐ Other: _____________________________________________________

Statement of Ground:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Supporting Facts (be specific and detailed):
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Was this ground raised on direct appeal?

☐ Yes - Result: ________________________________________________
☐ No - Reason: ________________________________________________

GROUND THREE:

Legal Basis for Relief:

☐ Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
☐ Prosecutorial Misconduct
☐ Newly Discovered Evidence
☐ Actual Innocence
☐ Constitutional Violation (specify): _______________________________
☐ Illegal Sentence
☐ Court Lacked Jurisdiction
☐ Involuntary Plea
☐ Brady Violation
☐ False Evidence Used at Trial
☐ Change in Law (made retroactive)
☐ Other: _____________________________________________________

Statement of Ground:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Supporting Facts (be specific and detailed):
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Was this ground raised on direct appeal?

☐ Yes - Result: ________________________________________________
☐ No - Reason: ________________________________________________

GROUND FOUR:

Legal Basis for Relief:

☐ Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
☐ Prosecutorial Misconduct
☐ Newly Discovered Evidence
☐ Actual Innocence
☐ Constitutional Violation (specify): _______________________________
☐ Illegal Sentence
☐ Court Lacked Jurisdiction
☐ Involuntary Plea
☐ Brady Violation
☐ False Evidence Used at Trial
☐ Change in Law (made retroactive)
☐ Other: _____________________________________________________

Statement of Ground:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Supporting Facts (be specific and detailed):
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Was this ground raised on direct appeal?

☐ Yes - Result: ________________________________________________
☐ No - Reason: ________________________________________________

(Attach additional pages if necessary for additional grounds)

PART VIII: SUPPORTING EVIDENCE

23. Evidence Supporting This Petition:

24. Affidavits Attached:

☐ Affidavit of Petitioner
☐ Affidavit(s) of witness(es)
☐ Expert declaration(s)
☐ Other: _____________________________________________________

25. Requests for Records or Discovery:

☐ Trial transcripts (specify portions): _______________________________
☐ Police reports
☐ Witness statements
☐ Physical evidence
☐ Forensic evidence
☐ Other: _____________________________________________________

PART IX: REQUEST FOR EVIDENTIARY HEARING

26. Request for Evidentiary Hearing:

☐ Petitioner requests an evidentiary hearing

Reasons for Evidentiary Hearing:

☐ Factual issues cannot be resolved on the record
☐ Witness testimony is necessary
☐ Credibility determinations required
☐ Other: _____________________________________________________

Witnesses to be called:

PART X: REQUEST FOR COUNSEL

27. Request for Appointment of Counsel:

☐ Petitioner requests appointment of counsel

Reasons for Counsel:

☐ Petitioner is indigent
☐ Issues are legally complex
☐ Evidentiary hearing is necessary
☐ Interests of justice require counsel
☐ Other: _____________________________________________________

PART XI: REQUEST FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that this Honorable Court:

☐ 1. Vacate Petitioner's conviction;

☐ 2. Vacate Petitioner's sentence;

☐ 3. Order a new trial;

☐ 4. Order a new sentencing hearing;

☐ 5. Permit withdrawal of guilty plea;

☐ 6. Dismiss the charges;

☐ 7. Correct the illegal sentence to: ________________________________;

☐ 8. Conduct an evidentiary hearing;

☐ 9. Appoint counsel to represent Petitioner;

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

PART XII: VERIFICATION AND OATH

VERIFICATION

I, _________________________________, being duly sworn, state that I have read the foregoing Petition for Post-Conviction Relief and that the facts stated therein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that any false statement of a material fact may serve as the basis for prosecution and conviction for perjury.

_________________________________
Petitioner's Signature

_________________________________
Printed Name

_________________________________
Date

OATH (Select appropriate oath)

OATH #1 (Standard):

STATE OF _______________________
COUNTY OF _____________________

Before me, the undersigned authority, personally appeared _________________________________, who, being duly sworn, says that the facts set forth in the foregoing petition are true and correct to the best of his/her knowledge and belief.

_________________________________
Petitioner's Signature

Sworn to and subscribed before me on _________________, 20___.

_________________________________
Notary Public / Deputy Clerk

My Commission Expires: _____________

OATH #2 (Unsworn Declaration Under Penalty of Perjury):

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of _________________ that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed on _________________, 20___, at _________________, _________________.
(City) (State)

_________________________________
Petitioner's Signature

PART XIII: CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that on _________________ (date), I served a copy of this Petition for Post-Conviction Relief on:

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

Attorney General (if required):
[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

Procedural Vehicle: Writ of Habeas Corpus (Penal Code §§ 1473-1508)

Key Requirements:
- File in superior court, then Court of Appeal, then California Supreme Court
- No strict statute of limitations, but must be filed without "substantial delay"
- Must show prejudice from any delay
- Petition must state facts supporting each ground
- Grounds include: false evidence, newly discovered evidence, ineffective assistance, actual innocence, Racial Justice Act violations (Penal Code § 745)

Filing Location:
- Trial court (Superior Court) for initial petition
- Can file original petition in Court of Appeal or Supreme Court

Other Options:
- Penal Code § 1473.7: Vacate conviction based on prejudicial error affecting defendant's ability to understand adverse immigration consequences
- Penal Code § 1170(d): Resentencing recommendation by CDCR or prosecutor

Texas

Procedural Vehicle: Article 11.07 Writ of Habeas Corpus (non-capital felonies)

Key Requirements:
- File in the convicting court; returnable to Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
- No strict statute of limitations, but successive petition rules are strict
- Claims must be constitutional, jurisdictional, or fundamental
- Claims that could have been raised on direct appeal are generally barred
- Affidavits are typically required to support factual claims

Process:
1. File with clerk of convicting court
2. Writ issues by operation of law
3. State has 15 days to answer
4. Convicting court makes findings/recommendations
5. Court of Criminal Appeals makes final decision

Successive Petitions:
- Second or subsequent petitions require showing new facts or law
- Article 11.07 § 4 governs successive applications

Florida

Procedural Vehicle: Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.850

Key Requirements:
- Two-Year Deadline: Must be filed within 2 years of judgment becoming final
- Exceptions: newly discovered evidence (2 years from discovery), illegal sentence (no deadline), retained counsel failed to file
- Must allege specific facts, not conclusory allegations
- Grounds that could have been raised on appeal or in prior 3.850 are barred

Format Requirements:
- Typewritten or legible handwriting
- Blue or black ink
- Double-spaced
- 50-page limit (without leave of court)
- Must be signed and sworn

Evidentiary Hearing:
- Required unless record conclusively refutes allegations

New York

Procedural Vehicle: CPL § 440.10 (Motion to Vacate Judgment)

Key Requirements:
- File in the trial court
- No strict statute of limitations, but should be filed promptly
- Supported by sworn allegations of fact
- Generally only one CPL 440 motion permitted
- Claims that could have been raised on appeal may be denied

Grounds Under CPL § 440.10(1):
- (a) Court lacked jurisdiction
- (b) Judgment obtained by duress, fraud, or misrepresentation
- (c) Material evidence was false
- (d) Material evidence was procured in violation of defendant's rights
- (e) During proceedings, defendant was deprived of required counsel
- (f) Improper composition of jury
- (g) New evidence discovered
- (h) Judgment obtained in violation of defendant's constitutional rights
- (i) Conviction was for marijuana possession (presumption plea not knowing/voluntary)

Coram Nobis:
- Available for claims arising from appellate record (e.g., ineffective appellate counsel)
- Filed in Appellate Division

COMMON GROUNDS FOR POST-CONVICTION RELIEF

ATTACHMENTS CHECKLIST

☐ Affidavit of Petitioner
☐ Affidavits of witnesses
☐ Expert declarations
☐ Relevant portions of trial transcript
☐ Appellate court opinions
☐ Prior post-conviction orders
☐ Documentary evidence
☐ Police reports (if relevant)
☐ Newly discovered evidence
☐ Memorandum of Law

This universal template must be adapted to comply with the specific procedural requirements of the state in which the petition is filed. State rules regarding format, content, deadlines, and procedures vary significantly. Consult applicable state statutes, court rules, and local practices.