Q: Attorney Tully, I am studying Pre-Law in college. What is this Habeas Corpus term I keep reading about?
A: In everyday terms it means produce the body. It allows a Judge to issue a Writ to question the legality of someone’s detention. A Habeas Corpus Petition guards against the police putting someone in jail and just letting them sit there. It requires some government unit to come into Court and explain why the person is being detained. It really is a powerful tool that a criminal defense attorney can use to help someone being unlawfully detained. Thanks for the question. Bernie