An authoritative and practical 2-volume treatise with practical advice and expert analysis from practitioners and subject matter experts. First, a U.S.C. § 2254 allows us to file a petition for Habeas Corpus when the client is in custody under sentence of a state court and is in a state prison.To get a writ of habeas corpus, you must file a petition for a civil (not criminal) proceeding in either state or federal court. The Appellate Division is New York State's intermediate level appellate court. It is most often the stage of the criminal appellate process that follows direct appeal and any available state collateral review. Confidential, secure access. Switch plans or cancel any time. Yes you can write a letter (motion) better if you type it on a computer so it is legible.