Federal habeas corpus is a procedure under which a federal court may review the legality of an individual's incarceration. In United States law, habeas corpus is a recourse challenging the reasons or conditions of a person's confinement under color of law.Habeas corpus, or the Great Writ, is the legal procedure that keeps the government from holding you indefinitely without showing cause. A habeas corpus proceeding is a procedure for challenging the legality of a person's restraint or detention. A writ of habeas corpus requires that a person who is in custody be brought before a judge or court and that they be able to challenge that custody. Latin for "that you have the body. A habeas corpus proceeding is a procedure for challenging the legality of a person's restraint or detention. The law in the area is an intricate weave of statute and case law. Latin, meaning "you have the body. Even if the defendant refuses to fill out a CJA Form 23 financial affidavit because of his fear that it will be used in his prosecution,. 71.