---
title: "Wilkinson v. Dotson"
citation: "Wilkinson v. Dotson, 544 U.S. 74 (2005)"
authority_id: "AUTH-SCOTUS-WILKINSON-544-US-74"
authority_type: "case"
jurisdiction: "federal_nationwide"
precedential_status: "binding"
official_url: "https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-544/pdf/USREPORTS-544-74.pdf"
url: "https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/authorities/AUTH-SCOTUS-WILKINSON-544-US-74/"
legal_review: "2026-08-25"
links_checked: "2026-10-15"
links_available: 1
links_checked_count: 1
license: "CC BY 4.0"
---

# Wilkinson v. Dotson

## Holding used

State-prisoner § 1983 procedural challenges lie outside habeas's core when success would not necessarily produce immediate or speedier release, as where the remedy is a new discretionary parole review.

## Material limitations

The decision does not create or validate a Bivens or other cause of action against federal actors. A comprehensive commercial citator was not run.

## Official source and pinpoint

United States Reports, 544 U.S. 81–82: <https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-544/pdf/USREPORTS-544-74.pdf>


## Used in

- [28 U.S.C. § 2241 — Appeal, Certificate of Appealability, and Relief](https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/modules/60-post-conviction/2241-appeal-and-relief.md)