Completing the Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus Form: 1. Print your name and mailing address on the lines provided.The petition must be typed or neatly written, and you must sign and date it under penalty of perjury. A false statement may lead to prosecution. A writ of habeas corpus is generally used in order to determine whether someone is, or is not, lawfully detained. Top Rated Criminal Lawyer. "Habeas Corpus" is a Latin phrase that literally means "you shall have the body". "Habeas corpus" is a Latin phrase meaning "you shall have the body. A writ of habeas corpus is a court order mandating an investigation to determine if your detention following an arrest or conviction is legal. 1. The petition for writ of habeas corpus form is designed to help you prepare a petition seeking relief pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254.