Law any of various writs ordering a person to be brought before a court; specif., a writ requiring that a detained person be brought before a court to decide the legality of the detention or imprisonment
See habeas corpus in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(hāˈbē-əs)
noun
One of a variety of writs that may be issued to bring a party before a court or judge, having as its function the release of the party from unlawful restraint.