Steps to file a writ of habeas corpus to challenge why you are in prison. Federal habeas corpus is available for a state prisoner when a federal constitutional violation makes custody, or its conditions, unlawful.If you file a state post-conviction appeal, the one-year deadline will be extended while your case goes through the state post-conviction process. Finally, some courts have noted that the time limitations set forth in the AEDPA are not jurisdictional. The first is that you must file your petition within one year of exhausting your direct appeal. Roughly six weeks later, the intermediate state appellate court issued its mandate. It shall be returned within three days unless for good cause additional time, not exceeding twenty days, is allowed. The AEDPA imposes a one-year time limit from the defendant's judgment date to file a habeas corpus petition (although other dates may apply). There is a oneyear time limit to file a federal habeas corpus petition under 28 U.S.C. s. This petition is available to both state and federal prisoners.