Deeply rooted in the Anglo-American jurisprudence, the law of habeas corpus was adopted in the U.S. as well. The writ of habeas corpus had its origins in British common law, predating Magna Carta.Origin. Habeas corpus derives from the English common law where the first recorded usage was in 1305, in the reign of King Edward I of England. The "Great Writ" of habeas corpus is a fundamental right in the Constitution that protects against unlawful and indefinite imprisonment. If you are filing this petition in the superior court, you only need to file the original unless local rules require additional copies. Habeas Corpus, in the Federal Court, is a petition that claims that you are being detained against your US constitutional rights. If you want information about federal habeas corpus, send a request to Prison Law Office, General Delivery, San. Deeply rooted in the Anglo-American jurisprudence, the law of habeas corpus was adopted in the U.S. as well. A habeas corpus petition is a civil matter that contests a defendant's incarceration or restriction imposed as a sanction in a criminal case. This section makes no substantive change in existing law.