Federal habeas corpus is a procedure under which a federal court may review the legality of an individual's incarceration. HABEAS CORPUS Official Publication of the State of Minnesota Revisor of Statutes About the Legislature Contact Your Legislator General ContactThe writ of habeas corpus is a legal order requiring a person holding another person to produce that individual before a court or judge. The writ may also be employed in a wide variety of situations not involving criminal proceedings. What is Habeas Corpus? Latin for "that you have the body.