Opinion ID: 433619
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Breadth of the Writ

Text: 15 In addition to ordering Gardner's release from the pending sentence, the district court ordered the state court to vacate Gardner's conviction and dismiss the criminal charges with prejudice. This order is overly broad. 16 Federal habeas relief usually accomplishes its purpose by ordering the petitioner's release from state custody. Some authorities suggest federal courts lack power to revise the underlying state judgment directly. See Fay v. Noia, 372 U.S. 391, 431, 83 S.Ct. 822, 844, 9 L.Ed.2d 837 (1963) (dicta); Ex parte Medley, 134 U.S. 160, 173, 10 S.Ct. 384, 388, 33 L.Ed. 835 (1890). But see Palmer v. Judge and District Attorney General, 411 F.Supp. 1029, 1035 (W.D.Tenn.1976) (quashing sixteen-year-old state indictment on grounds of denial of speedy trial). We need not decide whether, in an appropriate case, a district court might order dismissal of state charges, because we find no circumstances justifying dismissal here. 17 The magistrate recommended dismissal on grounds that a fair retrial would be difficult at this late date. The possible unfairness of a retrial, however, was not properly before the district court, and the record reveals no evidence on the issue. If retrial occurs, Gardner can challenge its fairness at that time. 18 We modify the writ to provide only for Gardner's release from the pending sentence.