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2241 Writ of Habeas Corpus Petition

PETITION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS UNDER 28 U.S.C. § 2241

Who Should Use This Form. You should use this form if

  • you are a federal prisoner and you wish to challenge the way your sentence is being carried out (for example, you claim that the Bureau of Prisons miscalculated your sentence or failed to properly award good time credits);
  • you are in federal or state custody because of something other than a judgment of conviction (for example, you are in pretrial detention or are awaiting extradition); or
  • you are alleging that you are illegally detained in immigration custody.

Who Should Not Use This Form. You should not use this form if

  • you are challenging the validity of a federal judgment of conviction and sentence (these challenges are generally raised in a motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255);
  • you are challenging the validity of a state judgment of conviction and sentence (these challenges are generally raised in a petition under 28 U.S.C. § 2254); or
  • you are challenging a final order of removal in an immigration case (these challenges are generally raised in a petition for review directly with a United States Court of Appeals).

2241 Writ of Habeas Corpus Petition (AO 242)