---
title: "Buck v. Davis"
citation: "580 U.S. 100 (2017)"
authority_id: "AUTH-SCOTUS-BUCK-580-US-100"
authority_type: "case"
jurisdiction: "federal_nationwide"
precedential_status: "binding"
official_url: "https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-580/pdf/USREPORTS-580-100.pdf"
url: "https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/authorities/AUTH-SCOTUS-BUCK-580-US-100/"
legal_review: "2026-08-25"
links_checked: "2026-10-15"
links_available: 1
links_checked_count: 1
license: "CC BY 4.0"
---

# Buck v. Davis

## Holding or rule used

Two-stage certificate and merits analysis; merits may not be decided first to deny a certificate.

## Material limitation

Use only for the bounded proposition in the linked § 2255 module. State-habeas holdings are not silently converted into direct § 2255 holdings; record, circuit, local, deadline, custody, waiver, and classification issues remain separate where identified.

## Official source and pinpoints

580 U.S. 100 (2017), 580 U.S. 115–23: <https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-580/pdf/USREPORTS-580-100.pdf>


## Used in

- [Section 2255 Screening, Hearing, Appeal, and Postjudgment Motions](https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/modules/60-post-conviction/2255-procedure-hearing-appeal-and-postjudgment.md)