writ of habeas corpus
- noun
- /ˈrɪt əv ˈheɪbiəs ˈkɔrpəs/
- Formal
- The judge issued a writ of habeas corpus, requiring the prison officials to explain the reasons for the inmate's detention.
- suspend the writ of habeas corpus
Finally, the last resort for someone sentenced to death is to file a petition for writ of habeas corpus in the United States District Court, where they are.
- Finally, the last resort for someone sentenced to death is to file a petition for writ of habeas corpus in the United States District Court, where they are.
- There's only two presidents US histories to suspend the writ of habeas corpus, the right to due process.
Examples
-
I'm looking for a reason to file what's called a writ of habeas corpus, so I can get the state supreme court to hear new testimony.
-
Judge Kennedy's bottom line didn't change; he granted the writ of habeas corpus.
Blog text (4) -
You think he'll give me a writ of habeas corpus?
-
I, uh... I need to apply for a writ of habeas corpus.
-
I have a writ of habeas corpus.
-
I have a petition for a writ of habeas corpus.
-
Do you know that I can get a writ of habeas corpus that can force you to come and testify in court?
-
I'm demanding a writ of habeas corpus.
-
At the request of Miss Mailer's father, I've obtained a writ of habeas corpus for her immediate release.
-
In hearings for a writ of habeas corpus... ...an immediate decision is mandated... ...but I propose to consider the issues carefully.
Synonyms
A court order making police bring a person in jail to a judge to check if keeping them is legal
Surface Forms
Morphology
writ + of + habeas + corpus
The headword 'writ' clearly signals a legal document, but 'habeas corpus' is a conventionalized Latin legal phrase whose literal constituents (habeas = have, corpus = body) are not transparent to most B1 learners. The expression gives partial cues (an order concerning a person/body) but the specific legal function — an order to bring a detainee before a court to challenge detention — is specialized and not fully predictable without prior exposure or legal knowledge.
Etymology
Writ of habeas corpus comes from Latin words habeas corpus that literally mean 'you must bring the body'. Imagine a judge ordering guards to bring a prisoner into court so the court can check if the person is being held legally, which is why today it means 'an order to bring a prisoner before a judge'.