In your petition, clearly explain why you are being held illegally. Prisoners have no right to have an attorney help them in a habeas corpus petition, and the court does not usually appoint counsel.No. PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS AD TESTIFICANDUM. If the petitioner has sufficient funds, the petition shall be filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Criminal Division, and the filing fee shall be paid. The Law Office of Douglas B. Harper represents wrongly convicted Illinois prisoners in post-conviction, federal habeas, and criminal appeals. Chicago, Illinois 60608. Phone. The § 2254 allows us to bring U.S. Constitutional Issues into a Federal Court (U. How to File Habeas Corpus and Compassionate Release David is a law school graduate and former practicing attorney. 1o All resident plaintiffs who are unable to prosecute their suits and pay costs and expenses are included in the terms of the statute. The U.S. Supreme Court interprets the Constitution, which means it defines constitutional rights and violations in the cases it decides.