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

Related Words

• action 
• arraignment 
• case 
• contest 
• hearing 
• impeachment 
• indictment 
• lawsuit 
• litigation 
• prosecution 
• suit 
• tribunal 

When To Use

What is habeas corpus?

The writ of habeas corpus, often shortened to habeas corpus, is the requirement that an arrested person be brought before a judge or court before being detained or imprisoned.