The word or phrase writ of habeas corpus refers to a writ ordering a prisoner to be brought before a judge. The Writ of Habeas Corpus demands that requires a prisoner must go before the court to determine if there is lawful authority to detain the prisoner.The "Great Writ" of habeas corpus is a fundamental right in the Constitution that protects against unlawful and indefinite imprisonment. A Writ of Habeas Corpus is a motion which is filed most frequently to ensure that a Defendant's imprisonment or detention is not illegal. Federal habeas corpus is a procedure under which a federal court may review the legality of an individual's incarceration. Criminal habeas corpus writs are procedures used to test the legality and correctness of a prisoner's detention. A writ of habeas corpus was "in the nature of a writ of error, to examine the legality of the commitment. " Ex parte Watkins , 3 Pet. The writs of habeas corpus and quo warranto are in their own league as they deal with issues of such a bit stringent nature. Get free access to the complete judgment in ANJALI v.