---
title: "Strickland v. Washington"
citation: "466 U.S. 668 (1984)"
authority_id: "AUTH-SCOTUS-STRICKLAND-466-US-668"
authority_type: "case"
jurisdiction: "federal_nationwide"
precedential_status: "binding"
official_url: "https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-466/pdf/USREPORTS-466-668.pdf"
url: "https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/authorities/AUTH-SCOTUS-STRICKLAND-466-US-668/"
legal_review: "2026-08-25"
links_checked: "2026-10-15"
links_available: 1
links_checked_count: 1
license: "CC BY 4.0"
---

# Strickland v. Washington

## Holding or rule used

Deficient performance, posture-specific prejudice, deference, and either-prong disposition.

## 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

466 U.S. 668 (1984), 466 U.S. 687–97: <https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-466/pdf/USREPORTS-466-668.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)
