--- title: "Massaro v. United States" citation: "538 U.S. 500 (2003)" authority_id: "AUTH-SCOTUS-MASSARO-538-US-500" authority_type: "case" jurisdiction: "federal_nationwide" precedential_status: "binding" official_url: "https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-538/pdf/USREPORTS-538-500.pdf" url: "https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/authorities/AUTH-SCOTUS-MASSARO-538-US-500/" legal_review: "2026-08-25" links_checked: "2026-10-15" links_available: 1 links_checked_count: 1 license: "CC BY 4.0" --- # Massaro v. United States ## Holding or rule used Ineffective assistance may first be raised under § 2255 without direct-review default. ## 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 538 U.S. 500 (2003), 538 U.S. 503–09: ## 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)