Length of sentence: h. When do you expect to be released?I am an attorney at law, duly licensed to practice in all the courts of California, and I am employed as a deputy public defender for the County of Los Angeles. This section constitutes an overview on California habeas corpus practice as it relates to the handling of criminal appeals. A habeas corpus petition in California allows you to challenge your conviction or sentencing. You can file it only after exhausting all criminal appeals. This following portions of this manual contain a step-by-step guide to California state habeas corpus process, including court forms and sample court pleadings. A successful Writ of Habeas Corpus may result in a reduction of a prison sentence, a new trial, or even a person's freedom. A successful Writ of Habeas Corpus may result in a reduction of a prison sentence, a new trial, or even a person's freedom. Generally, an individual seeking to challenge his or her criminal conviction through a habeas petition must do so in a "timely fashion.