The law regarding a motion attacking sentence of a federal court is set forth in 28 USC § 2255.
(a) A prisoner in custody under sentence of a court established by Act of Congress claiming the right to be released upon the ground that the sentence was imposed in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States, or that the court was without jurisdiction to impose such sentence, or that the sentence was in excess of the maximum authorized by law, or is otherwise subject to collateral attack, may move the court which imposed the sentence to vacate, set aside or correct the sentence.
(b) Unless the motion and the files and records of the case conclusively show that the prisoner is entitled to no relief, the court shall cause notice thereof to be served upon the United States attorney, grant a prompt hearing thereon, determine the issues and make findings of fact and conclusions of law with respect thereto. If the court finds that the judgment was rendered without jurisdiction, or that the sentence imposed was not authorized by law or otherwise open to collateral attack, or that there has been such a denial or infringement of the constitutional rights of the prisoner as to render the judgment vulnerable to collateral attack, the court shall vacate and set the judgment aside and shall discharge the prisoner or resentence him or grant a new trial or correct the sentence as may appear appropriate.
(c) A court may entertain and determine such motion without requiring the production of the prisoner at the hearing.
(d) An appeal may be taken to the court of appeals from the order entered on the motion as from a final judgment on application for a writ of habeas corpus.
(e) An application for a writ of habeas corpus in behalf of a prisoner who is authorized to apply for relief by motion pursuant to this section, shall not be entertained if it appears that the applicant has failed to apply for relief, by motion, to the court which sentenced him, or that such court has denied him relief, unless it also appears that the remedy by motion is inadequate or ineffective to test the legality of his detention.
(f) A 1-year period of limitation shall apply to a motion under this section. The limitation period shall run from the latest of(1) the date on which the judgment of conviction becomes final;
(2) the date on which the impediment to making a motion created by governmental action in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States is removed, if the movant was prevented from making a motion by such governmental action;
(3) the date on which the right asserted was initially recognized by the Supreme Court, if that right has been newly recognized by the Supreme Court and made retroactively applicable to cases on collateral review; or
(4) the date on which the facts supporting the claim or claims presented could have been discovered through the exercise of due diligence.
(g) Except as provided in section 408 of the Controlled Substances Act, in all proceedings brought under this section, and any subsequent proceedings on review, the court may appoint counsel, except as provided by a rule promulgated by the Supreme Court pursuant to statutory authority. Appointment of counsel under this section shall be governed by section 3006A of title 18.
(h) A second or successive motion must be certified as provided in section 2244 by a panel of the appropriate court of appeals to contain
(1) newly discovered evidence that, if proven and viewed in light of the evidence as a whole, would be sufficient to establish by clear and convincing evidence that no reasonable factfinder would have found the movant guilty of the offense; or
(2) a new rule of constitutional law, made retroactive to cases on collateral review by the Supreme Court, that was previously unavailable.
Maricopa Arizona Motion to Vacate, Set Aside, Modify or Correct a Sentence by a Person in Federal Custody is a legal process that allows individuals in federal custody to challenge and seek relief from an imposed sentence. This motion can be filed in the Maricopa County court system, which encompasses the city of Maricopa and its surrounding areas. There are various types of Maricopa Arizona Motion to Vacate, Set Aside, Modify or Correct a Sentence motions that a person in federal custody can pursue, depending on their specific circumstances and grounds for seeking relief. Some common types include: 1. Motion to Vacate: This motion requests the court to set aside a conviction or sentence due to errors or constitutional violations during the original trial. It can be based on factors such as ineffective assistance of counsel, newly discovered evidence, or prosecutorial misconduct. 2. Motion to Set Aside: This motion seeks to have the court set aside or nullify a conviction or sentence. It could be filed on the basis of legal errors during the trial or sentencing, violations of constitutional rights, or if the individual's guilty plea was not voluntary or knowingly made. 3. Motion to Modify: This motion aims to modify or alter an existing sentence, typically by requesting a reduction in the length or severity. It can be based on reasons such as significant changes in circumstances, rehabilitation efforts, or the development of alternative sentencing options. 4. Motion to Correct: This motion seeks to correct errors in the original sentence that were made by the court, prosecutor, or defense counsel. The errors could include miscalculations of sentencing guidelines, improper enhancements, or improper application of statutory provisions. It is important to note that each motion type has specific legal requirements and deadlines that must be met. It is advisable for individuals in federal custody seeking to file a Maricopa Arizona Motion to Vacate, Set Aside, Modify or Correct a Sentence to consult with an attorney who specializes in federal criminal law. They can guide them through the process, ensure all necessary documents are submitted correctly, and present the strongest arguments for seeking relief.
