Order On Motion for Sibling Placement or Contact. Federal habeas corpus is a procedure under which a federal court may review the legality of an individual's incarceration.Those counties use their own forms. ❖ If you need to file in King County, Washington, use King County Habeas Corpus Forms instead. A habeas petition proceeds as a civil action against the State agent (usually a warden) who holds the defendant in custody. • Read the entire form before answering any questions. Motion for Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict, or in the Alternative, for. Where the defendant already has a direct appeal pending, a habeas petition should generally be filed in the Court of Appeal. Any prisoner, or another person acting on their behalf, may petition the court, or a judge, for a writ of habeas corpus. The petition for a writ of habeas corpus is denied.