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Comparison definition. Sanders v. United States, 373 U. S. 1 (1963) announced guidelines for the federal courts to follow when presented with habeas petitions or their equivalent claimed to be 'successive' or an 'abuse of the writ.' The terms 'successive petition' and 'abuse of the writ' have distinct meanings. A 'successive petition' raises grounds identical to those raised and rejected on the merits on a prior petition. See Sanders v. United States, 373 U.S. at 373 U. S. 16-17. The concept of 'abuse of the writ' is founded on the equitable nature of habeas corpus. Thus, where a prisoner files a petition ...