The writ of habeas corpus, a right deeply rooted in English common law and recognized by the U.S. Constitution, allows people nabbed by the government to

The future of habeas corpus has been pushed into the spotlight as President Donald Trump has been involved in discussions inside his administration over potentially taking the extreme step of suspending the procedure.

“Federal habeas corpus is a procedure under which a federal court may review the legality of an individual's incarceration,” per Congress. “It is most often the stage of the criminal appellate process that follows direct appeal and any available state collateral review.”