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habeas corpus

The definition of habeas corpus is a legal document that requires someone to be brought before a judge to determine if the person should be held in custody or released.

(noun)

An example of habeas corpus is if you file a petition with the court because you want to be brought before a judge where reasons for your arrest and detention must be shown.

See habeas corpus in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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

in full habeas corpus ad subjiciendum

Origin: ME < L, (that) you have the body

See habeas corpus in American Heritage Dictionary 4

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.
The right of a citizen to obtain such a writ.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Medieval Latin habeās corpus, produce the body (from the opening words of the writ)

Origin: : Latin habeās

Origin: , second person sing. present subjunctive of habēre, to have

Origin: + Latin corpus, body

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