This unique work addresses the various aspects of federal habeas corpus litigation with special emphasis given to the sweeping changes enacted by the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act (AEDPA) of 1996 and established by recent Supreme Court and federal circuit court decisions. The manual is organized to allow users to quickly find answers to their habeas controlling legal standards are clearly identified, case examples illustrate how habeas doctrines are applied by the courts, and related legal doctrines and issues are cross-referenced.