---
title: "United States v. Frady"
citation: "456 U.S. 152 (1982)"
authority_id: "AUTH-SCOTUS-FRADY-456-US-152"
authority_type: "case"
jurisdiction: "federal_nationwide"
precedential_status: "binding"
official_url: "https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-456/pdf/USREPORTS-456-152.pdf"
url: "https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/authorities/AUTH-SCOTUS-FRADY-456-US-152/"
legal_review: "2026-08-25"
links_checked: "2026-10-15"
links_available: 1
links_checked_count: 1
license: "CC BY 4.0"
---

# United States v. Frady

## Holding or rule used

Cause and actual prejudice replace direct-review plain error for the defaulted trial claim addressed there.

## 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

456 U.S. 152 (1982), 456 U.S. 164–72: <https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-456/pdf/USREPORTS-456-152.pdf>


## Used in

- [Section 2255 Cognizability, Default, Actual Innocence, and Ineffective Assistance](https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/modules/60-post-conviction/2255-default-innocence-and-ineffective-assistance.md)