AO 243 (Rev.

01/15)

Page 1

Motion to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct a Sentence

By a Person in Federal Custody
(Motion Under 28 U.S.C. 2255)
Instructions
1.

To use this form, you must be a person who is serving a sentence under a judgment against you in a federal court.
You are asking for relief from the conviction or the sentence. This form is your motion for relief.

2.

You must file the form in the United States district court that entered the judgment that you are challenging. If
you want to challenge a federal judgment that imposed a sentence to be served in the future, you should file the
motion in the federal court that entered that judgment.

3.

Make sure the form is typed or neatly written.

4.

You must tell the truth and sign the form. If you make a false statement of a material fact, you may be prosecuted
for perjury.

5.

Answer all the questions. You do not need to cite law. You may submit additional pages if necessary. If you do
not fill out the form properly, you will be asked to submit additional or correct information. If you want to submit
a brief or arguments, you must submit them in a separate memorandum.

6.

If you cannot pay for the costs of this motion (such as costs for an attorney or transcripts), you may ask to proceed
in forma pauperis (as a poor person). To do that, you must fill out the last page of this form. Also, you must
submit a certificate signed by an officer at the institution where you are confined showing the amount of money
that the institution is holding for you.

7.

In this motion, you may challenge the judgment entered by only one court. If you want to challenge a judgment
entered by a different judge or division (either in the same district or in a different district), you must file a
separate motion.

8.

When you have completed the form, send the original and
Court at this address:

copies to the Clerk of the United States District

Clerk,
United
District
Court for
Clerk,
United
StatesStates
District
Court for
Address
Address
Zip Code
City,City,
StateState
Zip Code

If you want a file-stamped copy of the petition, you must enclose an additional copy of the petition and ask the
court to file-stamp it and return it to you.
9.

CAUTION: You must include in this motion all the grounds for relief from the conviction or sentence that
you challenge. And you must state the facts that support each ground. If you fail to set forth all the
grounds in this motion, you may be barred from presenting additional grounds at a later date.

10.

CAPITAL CASES: If you are under a sentence of death, you are entitled to the assistance of counsel and
should request the appointment of counsel.

AO 243 (Rev. 01/15)

Page 2

MOTION UNDER 28 U.S.C. 2255 TO VACATE, SET ASIDE, OR CORRECT

SENTENCE BY A PERSON IN FEDERAL CUSTODY

United States District Court

District
Docket or Case No.:

Name (under which you were convicted):

Place of Confinement:

Prisoner No.:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Movant (include name under which convicted)

V.
MOTION

1.

(a) Name and location of court which entered the judgment of conviction you are challenging:

(b) Criminal docket or case number (if you know):

2.

(a) Date of the judgment of conviction (if you know):

(b) Date of sentencing:

3.

Length of sentence:

4.

Nature of crime (all counts):

5.

(a) What was your plea? (Check one)

(1) Not guilty G

(2) Guilty

(3) Nolo contendere (no contest)

(b) If you entered a guilty plea to one count or indictment, and a not guilty plea to another count or
what did you plead guilty to and what did you plead not guilty to?

6.

If you went to trial, what kind of trial did you have? (Check one)

7.

Did you testify at a pretrial hearing, trial, or post-trial hearing?

8.

Did you appeal from the judgment of conviction?

Yes G

Jury G
Yes G

Judge only G
No G

No G

AO 243 (Rev. 01/15)

9.

Page 3

If you did appeal, answer the following:

(a) Name of court:
(b) Docket or case number (if you know):
(c) Result:
(d) Date of result (if you know):
(e) Citation to the case (if you know):
(f) Grounds raised:

(g) Did you file a petition for certiorari in the United States Supreme Court?

Yes

No G

If Yes, answer the following:

(1) Docket or case number (if you know):
(2) Result:
(3) Date of result (if you know):
(4) Citation to the case (if you know):
(5) Grounds raised:

10.

Other than the direct appeals listed above, have you previously filed any other motions, petitions, or applications,
concerning this judgment of conviction in any court?
Yes G
No G

11.

If your answer to Question 10 was Yes, give the following information:

(a) (1) Name of court:
(2) Docket or case number (if you know):
(3) Date of filing (if you know):
(4) Nature of the proceeding:
(5) Grounds raised:

AO 243 (Rev. 01/15)

Page 4

(6) Did you receive a hearing where evidence was given on your motion, petition, or application?
Yes G

No G

(7) Result:
(8) Date of result (if you know):
(b) If you filed any second motion, petition, or application, give the same information:
(1) Name of court:
(2) Docket of case number (if you know):
(3) Date of filing (if you know):
(4) Nature of the proceeding:
(5) Grounds raised:

(6) Did you receive a hearing where evidence was given on your motion, petition, or application?
Yes G

No G

(7) Result:
(8) Date of result (if you know):
(c) Did you appeal to a federal appellate court having jurisdiction over the action taken on your motion, petition,
or application?
(1) First petition:

Yes G

No G

(2) Second petition:

Yes G

No G

(d) If you did not appeal from the action on any motion, petition, or application, explain briefly why you did not:

12.

For this motion, state every ground on which you claim that you are being held in violation of the Constitution,
laws, or treaties of the United States. Attach additional pages if you have more than four grounds. State the facts
supporting each ground.

AO 243 (Rev. 01/15)

Page 5

GROUND ONE:
(a) Supporting facts (Do not argue or cite law. Just state the specific facts that support your claim.):

(b) Direct Appeal of Ground One:

(1) If you appealed from the judgment of conviction, did you raise this issue?
Yes G

No G

(2) If you did not raise this issue in your direct appeal, explain why:

(c) Post-Conviction Proceedings:

(1) Did you raise this issue in any post-conviction motion, petition, or application?
Yes G

No G

(2) If you answer to Question (c)(1) is Yes, state:

Type of motion or petition:
Name and location of the court where the motion or petition was filed:
Docket or case number (if you know):
Date of the courts decision:
Result (attach a copy of the courts opinion or order, if available):

(3) Did you receive a hearing on your motion, petition, or application?

Yes

No

(4) Did you appeal from the denial of your motion, petition, or application?
Yes G

No G

(5) If your answer to Question (c)(4) is Yes, did you raise the issue in the appeal?
Yes G

No G

AO 243 (Rev. 01/15)

Page 6

(6) If your answer to Question (c)(4) is Yes, state:

Name and location of the court where the appeal was filed:
Docket or case number (if you know):
Date of the courts decision:
Result (attach a copy of the courts opinion or order, if available):

(7) If your answer to Question (c)(4) or Question (c)(5) is No, explain why you did not appeal or raise this
issue:

GROUND TWO:
(a) Supporting facts (Do not argue or cite law. Just state the specific facts that support your claim.):

(b) Direct Appeal of Ground Two:

(1) If you appealed from the judgment of conviction, did you raise this issue?
Yes G

No G

(2) If you did not raise this issue in your direct appeal, explain why:

(c) Post-Conviction Proceedings:

(1) Did you raise this issue in any post-conviction motion, petition, or application?
Yes G

No G

AO 243 (Rev. 01/15)

Page 7

(2) If you answer to Question (c)(1) is Yes, state:

Type of motion or petition:
Name and location of the court where the motion or petition was filed:
Docket or case number (if you know):
Date of the courts decision:
Result (attach a copy of the courts opinion or order, if available):

(3) Did you receive a hearing on your motion, petition, or application?

Yes G

No G

(4) Did you appeal from the denial of your motion, petition, or application?
Yes G

No G

(5) If your answer to Question (c)(4) is Yes, did you raise the issue in the appeal?
Yes G

No G

(6) If your answer to Question (c)(4) is Yes, state:

Name and location of the court where the appeal was filed:
Docket or case number (if you know):
Date of the courts decision:
Result (attach a copy of the courts opinion or order, if available):

(7) If your answer to Question (c)(4) or Question (c)(5) is No, explain why you did not appeal or raise this
issue:

GROUND THREE:
(a) Supporting facts (Do not argue or cite law. Just state the specific facts that support your claim.):

AO 243 (Rev. 01/15)

Page 8

(b) Direct Appeal of Ground Three:

(1) If you appealed from the judgment of conviction, did you raise this issue?
Yes G

No G

(2) If you did not raise this issue in your direct appeal, explain why:

(c) Post-Conviction Proceedings:

(1) Did you raise this issue in any post-conviction motion, petition, or application?
Yes G

No G

(2) If you answer to Question (c)(1) is Yes, state:

Type of motion or petition:
Name and location of the court where the motion or petition was filed:
Docket or case number (if you know):
Date of the courts decision:
Result (attach a copy of the courts opinion or order, if available):

(3) Did you receive a hearing on your motion, petition, or application?

Yes G

No G

(4) Did you appeal from the denial of your motion, petition, or application?
Yes G

No G

(5) If your answer to Question (c)(4) is Yes, did you raise the issue in the appeal?
Yes G

No G

(6) If your answer to Question (c)(4) is Yes, state:

Name and location of the court where the appeal was filed:
Docket or case number (if you know):
Date of the courts decision:
Result (attach a copy of the courts opinion or order, if available):

AO 243 (Rev. 01/15)

Page 9

(7) If your answer to Question (c)(4) or Question (c)(5) is No, explain why you did not appeal or raise this
issue:

GROUND FOUR:
(a) Supporting facts (Do not argue or cite law. Just state the specific facts that support your claim.):

(b) Direct Appeal of Ground Four:

(1) If you appealed from the judgment of conviction, did you raise this issue?
Yes G

No G

(2) If you did not raise this issue in your direct appeal, explain why:

(c) Post-Conviction Proceedings:

(1) Did you raise this issue in any post-conviction motion, petition, or application?
Yes G

No G

(2) If you answer to Question (c)(1) is Yes, state:

Type of motion or petition:
Name and location of the court where the motion or petition was filed:
Docket or case number (if you know):
Date of the courts decision:
Result (attach a copy of the courts opinion or order, if available):

AO 243 (Rev. 01/15)

Page 10

(3) Did you receive a hearing on your motion, petition, or application?

Yes G

No G

(4) Did you appeal from the denial of your motion, petition, or application?
Yes G

No G

(5) If your answer to Question (c)(4) is Yes, did you raise the issue in the appeal?
Yes G

No G

(6) If your answer to Question (c)(4) is Yes, state:

Name and location of the court where the appeal was filed:
Docket or case number (if you know):
Date of the courts decision:
Result (attach a copy of the courts opinion or order, if available):

(7) If your answer to Question (c)(4) or Question (c)(5) is No, explain why you did not appeal or raise this
issue:

13.

Is there any ground in this motion that you have not previously presented in some federal court? If so, which
ground or grounds have not been presented, and state your reasons for not presenting them:

14.

Do you have any motion, petition, or appeal now pending (filed and not decided yet) in any court for the
No G
you are challenging?
Yes G
If Yes, state the name and location of the court, the docket or case number, the type of proceeding, and the
issues raised.

AO 243 (Rev. 01/15)

15.

Page 11

Give the name and address, if known, of each attorney who represented you in the following stages of the
you are challenging:
(a) At the preliminary hearing:
(b) At the arraignment and plea:
(c) At the trial:
(d) At sentencing:
(e) On appeal:
(f) In any post-conviction proceeding:
(g) On appeal from any ruling against you in a post-conviction proceeding:

16.

Were you sentenced on more than one court of an indictment, or on more than one indictment, in the same court
No G
and at the same time?
Yes G

17.

Do you have any future sentence to serve after you complete the sentence for the judgment that you are
challenging?
Yes G
No G
(a) If so, give name and location of court that imposed the other sentence you will serve in the future:

(b) Give the date the other sentence was imposed:

(c) Give the length of the other sentence:
(d) Have you filed, or do you plan to file, any motion, petition, or application that challenges the judgment or
sentence to be served in the future?

18.

Yes G

No G

TIMELINESS OF MOTION: If your judgment of conviction became final over one year ago, you must explain
why the one-year statute of limitations as contained in 28 U.S.C. 2255 does not bar your motion.*

AO 243 (Rev. 01/15)

Page 12

* The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (AEDPA) as contained in 28 U.S.C. 2255,
paragraph 6, provides in part that:
A one-year period of limitation shall apply to a motion under this section. The limitation period shall run
from the latest of
(1) the date on which the judgment of conviction became 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 such 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.

AO 243 (Rev. 01/15)

Page 13

Therefore, movant asks that the Court grant the following relief:

or any other relief to which movant may be entitled.

Signature of Attorney (if any)

I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct and that this Motion
under 28 U.S.C. 2255 was placed in the prison mailing system on
.
(month, date, year)

Executed (signed) on

(date)

Signature of Movant

If the person signing is not movant, state relationship to movant and explain why movant is not signing this motion.

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