habeas corpus

[ hey-bee-uhs kawr-puhs ]

noun

, Law.

1. a writ requiring a person to be brought before a judge or court, especially for investigation of a restraint of the person's liberty, used as a protection against illegal imprisonment.

habeas corpus

/ ˈheɪbɪəs ˈkɔːpəs /

noun

1. law a writ ordering a person to be brought before a court or judge, esp so that the court may ascertain whether his detention is lawful

habeas corpus

1. A legal term meaning that an accused person must be presented physically before the court with a statement demonstrating sufficient cause for arrest. Thus, no accuser may imprison someone indefinitely without bringing that person and the charges against him or her into a courtroom. In Latin , habeas corpus literally means “you shall have the body.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of habeas corpus¹

< Latin: literally, have the body (first words of writ), equivalent to habeās 2nd-person singular present subjunctive (with imperative force) of habēre to have + corpus body

Word History and Origins

Origin of habeas corpus¹

C15: from the opening of the Latin writ, literally: you may have the body

Example Sentences

“The Japanese in California should be under armed guard to the last man and woman right now and to hell with habeas corpus until the danger is over,” Pegler wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

Previous efforts by the brothers and their attorneys to cut short their incarceration have been fruitless, but a new writ of habeas corpus citing new evidence is being considered by the Dist.

From Los Angeles Times

Under a second Trump regime, free speech, freedom of the press and freedom of assembly, due process, unreasonable search and seizure, and habeas corpus, in particular, will all be up for grabs.

From Salon

Vera said the defense team was not allowed to speak with Glas while he was at the prosecutor’s office, and it is now working to file a habeas corpus petition.

From Seattle Times

Velasquez, who was 18 at the time of the shooting, was on the doorstep of the Downey apartment but knew nothing of another man’s plan to kill Roybal, according to a habeas corpus motion.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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