Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus. First, a U.S.C. § 2254 allows us to file a petition for Habeas Corpus when the client is in custody under sentence of a state court and is in a state prison.You should use this form if. Petitioner, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, has filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. Petitioner Michael Brown filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254. Cosby's petition for a writ of habeas corpus.