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Specifically, "habeas corpus" is the name of a writ having for its object to bring a person before a court. In Latin, the phrase translates roughly as "[we order that] you produce the body".   

Specifically, "habeas corpus" is the name of a writ having for its object to bring a person before a court. In Latin, the phrase translates roughly as "[we order that] you produce the body".   

Explained another way, '''habeas corpus''' is [[Latin]] for "you may have a body." A writ of habeas corpus generally is a judicial order forcing law enforcement authorities to produce a prisoner they are holding, and to justify the prisoner's continued confinement. Federal judges receive petitions for a writ of habeas corpus from state prison inmates who say their state prosecutions violated federally protected rights in some way.

Explained another way, '''habeas corpus''' is [[Latin]] for "you have the body." A writ of habeas corpus generally is a judicial order forcing law enforcement authorities to produce a prisoner they are holding, and to justify the prisoner's continued confinement. Federal judges receive petitions for a writ of habeas corpus from state prison inmates who say their state prosecutions violated federally protected rights in some way.

The right to ''habeas corpus'' is phrased as a [[writ]], making reference to the arcane system of writs by which legal claims were adjudicated prior to the 1900s (e.g., the "writ of replevin," or "writ of mandamus").  Thus, the right is referred to as "the writ of ''habeas corpus''," or, "the Great Writ."

The right to ''habeas corpus'' is phrased as a [[writ]], making reference to the arcane system of writs by which legal claims were adjudicated prior to the 1900s (e.g., the "writ of replevin," or "writ of mandamus").  Thus, the right is referred to as "the writ of ''habeas corpus''," or, "the Great Writ."