Meaning “you may have the body”, habeas corpus is a writ (officially known as habeas corpus ad subjiciendum) that requires a person tbe brought before a court to determine if their detention is lawful. The petitioner does not require standing in order to file. There are actually several other writs of habeas corpus, which include requests for extradition, that a prisoner be brought before a court for prosecution, and that a prisoner be brought before a court to testify.