A Writ of Habeas Corpus is a civil proceeding that is available in both State and Federal Court to challenge the legality of imprisonment. Habeas corpus protects United States citizens from unlawful or indefinite imprisonment.Habeas Corpus, in the Federal Court, is a petition that claims that you are being detained against your US constitutional rights. This Chapter discusses how the writ of habeas corpus is applied in three states: Florida, New York, and Michigan. Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus. If this form is to be filed for an appeal, indicate the status of the party in the court of original instance and his, her, or its status in this court, if any. The "Great Writ" of habeas corpus is a fundamental right in the Constitution that protects against unlawful and indefinite imprisonment. LAW"). 3. Other ways of attacking your conviction include filing an appeal, or a state or federal writ of habeas corpus. Latin, meaning "you have the body. A Habeas Corpus Writ is filed with a federal court once the defendant's state appellate remedies have been exhausted.