Generally speaking, the writ of error coram nobis is employed, in cases where there is no other remedy, for the purpose of reviewing, correcting, or vacating a judgment in the same court in which it was rendered, on account of errors of fact. These errors of fact must affect the validity and regularity of the proceedings, and were not put in issue at the trial, or were unknown at the time of the trial to the party seeking relief without fault on his or her part. Also, the remedy may be available if such facts were unknown to the trial court, were not passed on by it, and, if known, would have prevented rendition of the judgment.
The writ of error coram nobis is not often granted in civil cases, but it is still available in some courts to correct an error of fact which resulted in the judgment. The coram nobis procedure has largely been replaced by motions to open or vacate the judgment or a writ of audita querela. A writ of audita querela is a writ which lies for a party against whom judgment is recovered, but to whom good matter of discharge has subsequently accrued which could not have been availed of to prevent such judgment.
