How Federal Law Regulates Access to Habeas Corpus for Federal Prisoners

Section 2255 was enacted in 1948 to solve practical problems concerning the traditional habeas corpus process. The section established a process by motions federal prisoners can use to challenge their detention. The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (AEDPA) prohibited successive motions with two narrow exceptions.

 Savings Clause   Restrictions on successive Section 2255 motions