In fact, "habeas corpus" is Latin for "you have the body. The writ of habeas corpus is the fundamental instrument for safeguarding individual freedom against arbitrary and lawless government action. 2.Habeas corpus is available to prisoners challenging their convictions and sentences. In United States law, habeas corpus is a recourse challenging the reasons or conditions of a person's confinement under color of law. To get a writ of habeas corpus, you must file a petition for a civil (not criminal) proceeding in either state or federal court. A successful Writ of Habeas Corpus may result in a reduction of a prison sentence, a new trial, or even a person's freedom. The counties in the unofficial Southern Division are Clark, Esmeralda, Lincoln, and Nye. In the usual case, habeas relief will be sought when it is necessary to advert to facts which are outside the record on appeal. If the petitioner loses in the superior court, he or she must file a new petition for writ of habeas corpus in the court of appeal. The law in the area is an intricate weave of statute and case law.