The Writ of Habeas Corpus protects prison inmates from false imprisonment to ensure people are not thrown into jail unlawfully. The inmate may file a petition for writ of habeas corpus.To file a habeas action, send the court the following items: â–« Your original, completed petition form. How Do I Fill Out the Form? There is an official form (Judicial Council Form HC-001) for filing a state petition for writ of habeas corpus. Habeas corpus refers to the principle of freedom from unlawful detention. Habeas corpus means "show me the body. What is Habeas Corpus? Yet the Great Writ, like all judicial writs, is a government power. Habeas corpus, or the Great Writ, is the legal procedure that keeps the government from holding you indefinitely without showing cause.