The "Great Writ" of habeas corpus is a fundamental right in the Constitution that protects against unlawful and indefinite imprisonment. Habeas Corpus, in the Federal Court, is a petition that claims that you are being detained against your US constitutional rights.A Writ of Habeas Corpus is a civil proceeding that is available in both State and Federal Court to challenge the legality of imprisonment. Habeas corpus is Latin for "that you have the body" or "show me the body," and functions as legal shorthand from a judge to a corrections officer. Habeas Corpus - "You have the body," the name given a variety of writs whose object is to bring a person before a court or judge. Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus Under 28 U.S.C. § 2241. Download. Habeas Corpus - "You have the body," the name given a variety of writs whose object is to bring a person before a court or judge. Habeas Corpus is another Latin term, used in legal proceedings which means "You have the body". "In the US system, federal courts can use the writ of habeas corpus to determine if a state's detention of a prisoner is valid. The notes after the sample Notice of Motion in.