In United States law, habeas corpus is a recourse challenging the reasons or conditions of a person's confinement under color of law. The Habeas Corpus Act of 1679 established procedures to make writs of habeas corpus more effective in preventing unlawful imprisonment.The writ (or court order) of habeas corpus required that anyone, including royal officials, who detained a prisoner, had to show that this detention was legal. Discover the habeas corpus right in the U.S. legal system. You should use this form if. Habeas corpus: a writ used to challenge the legality of detention. Modus operandi: a person's particular way of doing things. A translator experienced in law, who can accurately convey the legal meaning of commonly-misunderstood terminology, jargon, and other terms. (The district clerk of the county of conviction will fill in this blank.) IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS. Please do not assume that a book's appearance in Google Book Search means it can be used in any manner anywhere in the world.