A habeas corpus petition attacking a criminal conviction or sentence shall be filed within two years from the date of final judgment in the trial court. Instructions – Read Carefully. 1.To use this form, you must be a person who is or will be serving a sentence under a judgment against you in a state court. Federal habeas corpus is a procedure under which a federal court may review the legality of an individual's incarceration. Habeas corpus is a kind of petition that you can file in federal court to claim that your imprisonment violates federal law. The Latin phrase habeas corpus translates to "you have the body. State habeas review under Virginia Code § 8.01-654(A)(2) is pretty straightforward. PETITION for a writ of habeas corpus. The facts are stated in the opinion of the court.