What is Habeas Corpus?

Question

What is Habeas Corpus?

Answer 1

Habeas Corpus literally means "show the body" - that is, if you accuse someone of murder, you have to have a body to show that someone was murdered.

In legal terms it refers to the right to hear the charges and see the evidence for which someone has been arrested. It guarantees that the state cannot just charge you with a crime and lock you up until they find evidence. They have to have the evidence or else release you.

Answer 2

Basically it means that you can't be held indefinitely without being charged with a crime.  It applies to all US citizens and is not affected by the Patriot Act.  In the Padilla case, the courts found that his treatment was in violation of the Constitution which resulted in the nullification of the "enemy combatant" label being applied to citizens.

Answer 3

It is just as easy to look on google. Good luck.

Answer 4

habeas Corpus is a law that states the police must have a warrant to search your property,

and that if you are jailed you must be told what you are imprisoned for within 24 hours.