Translated from Latin it means "show me the body. This Chapter discusses how the writ of habeas corpus is applied in three states: Florida, New York, and Michigan.What is habeas corpus? The literal meaning of habeas corpus is "you should have the body". Habeas corpus is a centuriesold legal procedure that protects against unlawful and indefinite imprisonment. Per Isaacs JA: On the hearing of the habeas corpus application, the judge accepted that the applicant was not in the custody of the appellants. Florida is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States.