These rules govern a petition for a writ of habeas corpus filed. 2 in a United States district court under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 by: 3.Federal prisoners may file two different kinds of motions for post-conviction relief: "Section 2255 motions" and "Section 2241 habeas corpus petitions." Federal habeas corpus is a procedure under which a federal court may review the legality of an individual's incarceration. An application for a writ of habeas corpus must be made to the appropriate district court. If made to a circuit judge, the application must be transferred. Find Local Rules and Forms that provide procedures and guidelines for courts in Mecklenburg County. A petition for a writ of habeas corpus is used to challenge imprisonment as unlawful. The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the. An application for a writ of habeas corpus must be made to the appropriate district court.