Habeas Corpus, in the Federal Court, is a petition that claims that you are being detained against your US constitutional rights. In fact, "habeas corpus" is Latin for "you have the body.A Writ of Habeas Corpus is a civil proceeding that is available in both State and Federal Court to challenge the legality of imprisonment. The Writ of Habeas Corpus protects prison inmates from false imprisonment to ensure people are not thrown into jail unlawfully. Understand the key differences between an appeal and a writ of habeas corpus, including their purposes, processes, and when to use each in legal cases. Petitioner is confined pursuant to the judgment of the Orange County Superior Court in Case No. 94ZF0036, entered on July 31,. 1996. A habeas corpus petition in California allows you to challenge your conviction or sentencing. You can file it only after exhausting all criminal appeals. The "Great Writ" of habeas corpus is a fundamental right in the Constitution that protects against unlawful and indefinite imprisonment. Superior Court of Orange County Website: The court provides a variety of online services.