The Writ of Habeas Corpus protects prison inmates from false imprisonment to ensure people are not thrown into jail unlawfully. The court must rule on a petition for writ of habeas corpus within 60 days after the petition is filed.A writ of habeas corpus petition is a tool that individuals convicted of criminal offenses in California can use to challenge their imprisonment. The writ of Habeas Corpus is the legal system's last line of defense against unlawful incarceration. This manual explains how someone without a lawyer can file a petition for writ of habeas corpus in the California state courts. Jurisdiction properly lies with any Superior Court in California. A petition for writ of habeas corpus is a legal action that allows individuals to challenge their unlawful imprisonment or restraint. Or appellate counsel have traditionally fallen within the perview of the Writ of Habeas Corpus. Finding out what your legal options are could affect the rest of your life. The major common law writs are mandate, prohibition and certiorari (or writ of review).