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Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus

California · Judicial Council of California · Effective July 1, 2026

This form is used to ask the court for a writ of habeas corpus, which is a legal request to challenge a criminal conviction, a period of detention, or the conditions where someone is being held. It asks for detailed information about the person's current status and the legal history of the case.

The court describes it as: Request a writ of habeas corpus to challenge your criminal conviction, detention, or the conditions of your confinement, including claims under the Racial Justice Act.

Open the official PDFfrom Judicial Council of California

Where this fits in a case

Start a case

Stage: Start a case

This form is used by people who are challenging a criminal conviction, an order of commitment, or the conditions of their confinement in superior courts.

Usually filed by the person starting the case.

Official instructions

How-to guides published by the court for this form.

Common questions

Who should file this form?
This petition is intended for use by petitioners who are filing for relief in habeas corpus proceedings and who have not been sentenced to death.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect July 1, 2026.

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