2255 Petitions | PFA

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Peter Felix Armstrong, Criminal Appellate and Federal Appeals Attorney for Alabama, Minnesota and the Fifth through Eleventh Circuits of the U.S. Courts of Appeals.

Peter Felix Armstrong, Criminal Appellate and Federal Appeals Attorney for Alabama, Minnesota and the Fifth through Eleventh Circuits of the U.S. Courts of Appeals.

What is a certificate of appealability and what are the requirements after a 2254 or 2255 denial?

Before making an appeal, some federal and state prisoners must obtain a certificate of appealability. In this article, we explain what a COA is and the steps to obtain it.

Aug 7

Outside view of a U.S. state prison.

Outside view of a U.S. state prison.

Can ineffective assistance of counsel be raised on direct appeal?

What claims can be made for an ineffective assistance of counsel appeal?

Post-Conviction

Jun 3

Peter Felix Armstrong, postconviction and appellate attorney

Peter Felix Armstrong, postconviction and appellate attorney

One conviction reversal and two compassionate release denials highlight this week's Supreme Court opinions.

Racial issues and compassionate release are the topics of this week's U.S. Supreme Court opinions.

Post-Conviction

Jun 1

Alabama Department of Corrections, ADOC, Alabama Law, Criminal Appeals, Rule 32 Petition, Postconviction, Prison Reform, Habeas Corpus

Alabama Department of Corrections, ADOC, Alabama Law, Criminal Appeals, Rule 32 Petition, Postconviction, Prison Reform, Habeas Corpus

Why is the time limit for filing a Rule 32 petition so short?

Why is it so hard to make the time limit for filing a Rule 32 Petition?

Mar 14

Ineffective Assistance of Counsel, Trial Witness, Attorney Error, Appellate Law, Rule 32 Petition, 2255 Petition, Alabama Criminal Appeals, Federal Criminal Appeals, IAOC, Effective Assistance of Counsel

Ineffective Assistance of Counsel, Trial Witness, Attorney Error, Appellate Law, Rule 32 Petition, 2255 Petition, Alabama Criminal Appeals, Federal Criminal Appeals, IAOC, Effective Assistance of Counsel

“My lawyer didn’t call my witnesses at trial. Is there anything I can do?”

What to do if your attorney did not call a specific witness at trial, and does it qualify as ineffective assistance of counsel?

Mar 6

Appeal, Alabama Law, Minnesota Law, Postconviction Relief, Rule 32, 2244 Petition, 2255 Petition, Habeas Corpus, Peter Armstrong Law, Appellate Law

Appeal, Alabama Law, Minnesota Law, Postconviction Relief, Rule 32, 2244 Petition, 2255 Petition, Habeas Corpus, Peter Armstrong Law, Appellate Law

“I need an appeal!” But what kind of appeal?

How to understand the appeals process if you or your loved one has been convicted.

Feb 24

Federal Habeas Corpus, Equitable Tolling, Postconviction Relief, Federal Law, Habeas Corpus, 2244 Petition, 2255 Petition, Peter Armstrong Law, Appellate Law

Federal Habeas Corpus, Equitable Tolling, Postconviction Relief, Federal Law, Habeas Corpus, 2244 Petition, 2255 Petition, Peter Armstrong Law, Appellate Law

What is equitable tolling?

What is equitable tolling and how does is affect federal habeas corpus?

Post-Conviction

Feb 17

AEDPA, Habeas Corpus, Federal Appeals, 2244 Petition, 2255 Petition, Postconviction Relief

AEDPA, Habeas Corpus, Federal Appeals, 2244 Petition, 2255 Petition, Postconviction Relief

What is AEDPA?

What is AEDPA and how does it impact postconviction petitions?

Post-Conviction

Jan 22

2255 Petition, postconviction, appellate law, appeals, habeas corpus

2255 Petition, postconviction, appellate law, appeals, habeas corpus

What is the relate back doctrine?

What is the relate back doctrine in 2255 petitions?

2254, 2255 Petitions

Jan 16

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