First, a U.S.C. § 2254 allows us to file a petition for Habeas Corpus when the client is in custody under sentence of a state court and is in a state prison. Please complete the fields below to schedule a free consultation with a skilled attorney.A Writ of Habeas Corpus is a civil proceeding that is available in both State and Federal Court to challenge the legality of imprisonment. In summary, though habeas corpus law is a complex and ever-changing field, for the most part, petitioners have no right to counsel. Petition for Relief From a Conviction or Sentence By a Person in State Custody (Petition Under 28 U. S. C. § 2254 for a Writ of Habeas Corpus). Latin for "you have the body. 248, §1 allows an imprisoned or restrained person to "prosecute a writ of habeas corpus . . . To carry out, complete or dispose of according to law. Execution. LAW"). 3. Other ways of attacking your conviction include filing an appeal, or a state or federal writ of habeas corpus. The literal meaning of habeas corpus is "you should have the body".