The court must rule on a petition for writ of habeas corpus within 60 days after the petition is filed. What is a Federal Writ of Habeas Corpus?The Writ of Habeas Corpus protects prison inmates from false imprisonment to ensure people are not thrown into jail unlawfully. 1. What is a habeas corpus? Habeas corpus is a legal instrument that allows you to contest your incarceration, conviction, or sentencing conditions. Latin for "that you have the body. You may file a petition for a writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 if you are in custody pursuant. What is Habeas Corpus?