Federal Habeas Corpus

2 credits · Law School

Habeas corpus allows prisoners to challenge their detentions and empowers judges to free prisoners that are unlawfully detained. It reaches the most unpopular prisoners: enemies of the state, war criminals, and those convicted of the most heinous crimes. Topics covered will include the historical evolution of the writ, the Suspension Clause of the US Constitution, key Supreme Court decisions, procedures and limits to use of habeas, judicial power to use habeas corpus, recent federal statutes, the intersection of habeas corpus and civil litigation, and the future of habeas corpus.