Wall v. Kholi

Holding: Because the phrase "collateral review" in AEDPA means judicial review of a judgment in a proceeding that is not part of direct review, state proceedings on an inmate's motion to reduce his sentence tolled the time to file his federal habeas petition.

Plain English Holding: Inmates generally have one year to file a federal petition for habeas corpus to challenge their state conviction after that conviction becomes final. However, the time spent in state court on a motion to reduce the inmate’s sentence does not count toward the one-year statute of limitations.

Judgment: Affirmed, 9-0, in an opinion by Justice Samuel Alito on March 7, 2011. Justice Scalia concurred in part.