The "Great Writ" of habeas corpus is a fundamental right in the Constitution that protects against unlawful and indefinite imprisonment. A writ of habeas corpus is used to bring a prisoner or other detainee (e.g.Habeas corpus is a remedy for violations of constitutional rights, such as ineffective assistance of counsel. Who may file a habeas corpus petition? Habeas Corpus is a personal right that goes back to English common law, predating our own Constitution. Latin, meaning "you have the body. Bail, fines and punishments.