Federal habeas corpus is a procedure under which a federal court may review the legality of an individual's incarceration. In all writs of habeas corpus sought on account of the detention of a spouse or child, the court on hearing all the facts may exercise its discretion.If you are incarcerated in a federal prison, you cannot file for state habeas corpus. You must file a petition for federal habeas corpus. Our criminal appeals lawyers can help you file a successful habeas petition to challenge a wrongful conviction or unjust sentence from any Georgia court. Postconviction relief is a legal procedure that is available to individuals who have been convicted of a crime and sentenced in a court of law. A Writ of Habeas Corpus literally means bring the body before the court, and therefor the state needs to prove why the detention is proper. Mistaken for the preposition in, the symbol should be spelled out. Alexyorke commented on Jul 25, 2021. Habeas corpus means "show me the body.