An Iowa Petition Under 28 USC 2254 for Writ of Habeas Corpus by a person in state custody is a legal document filed in federal court by a person currently in state custody. The petition seeks an order from the court ordering the release of the petitioner from state custody. The petition requires the petitioner to demonstrate that the state action that led to the petitioner's confinement is unconstitutional or otherwise unlawful. The most common types of Iowa Petition Under 28 USC 2254 for Writ of Habeas Corpus by a person in state custody are: 1) Direct Appeal; 2) Successive Petition; and 3) First Petition. A Direct Appeal is the first type of petition filed and is used when the petitioner believes his or her conviction was based on an error in the state court trial proceedings. A Successive Petition is for those who have already filed a petition and need to appeal a state court decision. A First Petition is for those who have never filed a habeas corpus petition before and are seeking relief from their state conviction and/or sentence. In all cases, the petitioner must prove that the state action which led to their confinement is unconstitutional or otherwise unlawful. The petitioner must also provide evidence to support their claim. If the court finds that the petitioner is entitled to relief, they will issue a writ of habeas corpus, which orders the release of the petitioner from state custody.