A Writ of Habeas Corpus literally translates to bring a body before the court. A writ is an order from a higher court to a lower court or government agency or official. When you file a petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus, you are asking the court to order the government agency to appear and bring you before the court.
A writ of habeas corpus orders the custodian of an individual in custody to produce the individual before the court to make an inquiry concerning his or her detention, to appear for prosecution (ad prosequendum) or to appear to testify (ad testificandum).
During any Arizona criminal case, there may be a point when it is necessary to file a writ of Habeas Corpus. This Latin term simply translates to, “that you have the body” and is used in instances where there is concern that a defendant's imprisonment may be against the law.
A successful Writ of Habeas Corpus in California can achieve one of the following: Release the defendant. Reduce the defendant's sentencing. Make changes to the defendant's sentencing conditions.
Typical examples where a court has granted a habeas corpus petition include claims of new evidence discovered in the case, ineffective assistance of counsel, prosecutorial misconduct, incompetence to stand trial, and challenging conditions of confinement.
For example, if an individual was convicted on the basis that their skin color matched that of the perpetrator ing to eyewitnesses, but there is no other evidence against them, then the individual can appeal for habeas corpus in order to be freed from imprisonment.
Common arguments for granting a habeas corpus petition include: You had incompetent legal counsel or a competent attorney was not provided. You were convicted under an unconstitutional law; You were convicted under a law that has since been changed, so what you did is no longer considered a crime;
State every ground (reason) that supports your claim that you are being held in violation of the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States. Attach additional pages if you have more than four grounds. State the facts supporting each ground. Any legal arguments must be submitted in a separate memorandum.
The right to file a petition for writ of habeas corpus is guaranteed by the California constitution. In order to be eligible to petition for such relief, the petitioner must be “in custody,” either actually or constructively.