ABSTRACT
habeas corpus, the writ of (legal system) An order given by a court of law asking that a person (who has been detained by police officers) be brought before the court to decide if there are good reasons (e.g., his or her connection to a crime) for holding that person in jail. If the reasons are not good then the prisoner is released. This is one of the oldest protections of personal liberty and is the basis of DUE PROCESS. [Latin for “you have the body”.] See BAIL.
