Put simply, habeas corpus is a writ (petition) that can be used in a narrow set of circumstances to bring the case of a state prisoner. Habeas corpus, in other words, is a petition that asks the court to completely dismiss the charges against you over the Prosecutor's objection.Translated from Latin it means "show me the body. The term habeas corpus comes from the Latin meaning "that you have the body" of the detainee brought before the court or tribunal. This petition, called a writ of Habeas Corpus, is filed in Federal Court (US District Court ) whether you are serving time in a federal or state prison. The U.S. Supreme Court interprets the Constitution, which means it defines constitutional rights and violations in the cases it decides. Latin for "that 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. Prisoners to be bailable; habeas corpus. 15. Special criminal tribunals.