POSTVERDICTS LAW LIBRARY
What Is AEDPA?
AEDPA is the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996. Among other changes, it added major restrictions to federal habeas review, including a one-year limitations framework, deferential review of many state-court decisions, and gatekeeping for second or successive petitions.
General educational information only. Not legal advice.
Important terms
Section 2254(d) limits relief on claims adjudicated on the merits in state court unless specified statutory conditions are met.
The limitations period in 28 U.S.C. § 2244(d) has multiple possible starting points and statutory tolling rules.
A second or successive application may require authorization from the federal court of appeals before filing in district court.
Why it can matter
AEDPA shapes nearly every federal habeas case brought by a state prisoner. It affects when a petition may be filed, what record a federal court may consider, and the degree of deference given to state-court rulings.
A claim that might have been reviewed differently before AEDPA may face a substantially narrower federal standard today.
Limits to keep in mind
The one-year period is not calculated from the same event in every case, and properly filed state collateral proceedings may toll—but generally do not restart—the federal clock.
AEDPA is complex. Labels such as 'unreasonable' have specialized legal meaning under Supreme Court precedent.