What does "habeas corpus" allow an individual to do?

Habeas corpus is a fundamental legal principle that protects an individual's right against unlawful detention. It provides an avenue for a person who is held in custody to challenge the legality of their imprisonment. When a writ of habeas corpus is filed, the court is asked to determine whether the individual is being held lawfully and if not, to order their release.

The essence of habeas corpus lies in its power to ensure that no one can be detained without just cause, acting as a safeguard against arbitrary detention by the state. This legal mechanism does not involve issues like wrongful arrest lawsuits or parole applications, nor does it directly relate to the jury trial process. Instead, it focuses purely on the validity of the detention itself.