Habeas Corpus, in the Federal Court, is a petition that claims that you are being detained against your US constitutional rights. Because the purpose of the petition is to gain the release of an unlawfully detained person, the reasons that justify the writ are narrowly defined.A Writ of Habeas Corpus is a civil proceeding that is available in both State and Federal Court to challenge the legality of imprisonment. To get a writ of habeas corpus, you must file a petition for a civil (not criminal) proceeding in either state or federal court. The "Great Writ" of habeas corpus is a fundamental right in the Constitution that protects against unlawful and indefinite imprisonment. All Purpose Hearings or during appearances on other calendars. Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus. A writ of habeas corpus gives jailed suspects the right to ask a judge to set them free or order an end to their improper jail conditions. Federal habeas corpus is a procedure under which a federal court may review the legality of an individual's incarceration. Petitioner, proceeding pro se, brings this petition for a writ of habeas corpus.