Charles R. Robinson, IV v. United States

SYKES, Circuit Judge.

This appeal presents the question of when a federal conviction “becomes final” for purposes of the one-year limitations period for pursuing collateral relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, ¶ 6(1). The government argues that finality attaches to a judgment of conviction when the Supreme Court affirms on the merits on direct review or denies a petition for a writ of certiorari, or the time for filing a certiorari petition expires. Petitioner Charles Robinson argues that a judgment of conviction does not become final until the Supreme Court denies a petition for rehearing a denial…