The court must rule on a petition for writ of habeas corpus within 60 days after the petition is filed. A petition for writ of habeas corpus is a legal action that allows individuals to challenge their unlawful imprisonment or restraint.A Federal Writ of Habeas Corpus is the final avenue for review of issues that were denied in California state courts. Generally speaking, the writ of habeas corpus is available in any case where the trial court has acted in excess of its jurisdiction. A petition for a writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 will not be granted unless you have exhausted the remedies available in state court. The Writ of Habeas Corpus protects prison inmates from false imprisonment to ensure people are not thrown into jail unlawfully. A writ of habeas corpus is a petition that an individual uses to challenge their conviction or sentence in California. Habeas corpus is a legal instrument that allows you to contest your incarceration, conviction, or sentencing conditions. Habeas corpus often serves as a last resort for inmates who insist that the government unjustly imprisoned them. Limitations on Habeas Corpus.