On September 14, 1990, Michael Williams was convicted in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County of first-degree murder, use of a handgun in the commission of a violent crime or felony, and wearing, carrying or transporting a handgun. Twenty-three years after he was convicted, and after other attempts at post-conviction relief had failed, Mr. Williams filed a Petition for Actual Innocence. The circuit court dismissed the petition, without a hearing, on the grounds that it failed to satisfy several procedural requirements. On appeal, Mr. Williams contends that the circuit court erred in dismissing his petition without a hearing.