What is heaviest corpus case?

Asked by: Winston Bergnaum  |  Last update: February 15, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (18 votes)

The "heaviest" or most significant Habeas Corpus case is widely considered India's ADM Jabalpur v. Shiv Kant Shukla (1976), known as the "Habeas Corpus case," where the Supreme Court severely limited individual rights during an Emergency, a decision later condemned for supporting state power over liberty. Other major cases involve U.S. immigration (Chinese exclusion era, post-9/11 detainees) and historical suspensions by Presidents like Grant, highlighting habeas corpus's role in safeguarding freedom against arbitrary detention.

What does heaviest corpus mean?

Latin, meaning "you have the body." A writ of habeas corpus generally is a judicial order forcing law enforcement authorities to produce a prisoner they are holding, and to justify the prisoner's continued confinement.

Which case is popularly known as the heaviest corpus case?

ADM Jabalpur v. Shivkant Shukla, often labelled as the "Habeas Corpus case," is a judgment of the Supreme Court of India which was pronounced in the year 1976. Such an important landmark came out of a stage in Indian history when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared an Emergency from 1975 to 1977.

Is it hard to win a habeas corpus case?

Yes, winning a habeas corpus case is extremely difficult, with very low success rates (often less than 1-10%), because they are a narrow remedy for serious constitutional violations, not a chance to re-litigate the whole case, and face strict legal hurdles like procedural dismissals, short deadlines (often one year), and high standards requiring proof of constitutional error that fundamentally affected the conviction. 

What are some famous habeas corpus cases?

Cases - Habeas corpus

  • Abdul-Kabir v. Quarterman. ...
  • Abdur'Rahman v. Bell. ...
  • Amadeo v. Zant. ...
  • Anderson v. Harless. ...
  • Artuz v. Bennett. ...
  • Banister v. Davis. ...
  • Beard v. Kindler. ...
  • Bell v. Cone.

Habeas Corpus

33 related questions found

What evidence is needed for habeas corpus?

For a habeas corpus petition, you need evidence showing your detention is unlawful, proving a federal constitutional right was violated (like ineffective counsel or prosecutorial misconduct), and demonstrating the state court's ruling was unreasonable, often relying on the existing record but sometimes allowing discovery for new evidence, all while showing you've exhausted state remedies first. The core "evidence" isn't new facts in most federal cases, but legal arguments showing state court errors, though new evidence of innocence can be grounds. 

How many habeas corpus are successful?

It found that 3.2 percent of the petitions were granted in whole or in part, and only l. 8 percent resulted in any type of release of the petitioner. Successful habeas corpus claims in most cases do not produce a prisoner's release, but rather a requirement for further judicial review.

Why would habeas corpus be denied?

The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.

What is the biggest mistake in custody battle?

The biggest mistake in a custody battle is losing sight of the child's best interests by letting anger, revenge, or adult conflicts drive decisions, which courts view negatively, but other major errors include badmouthing the other parent, failing to co-parent, poor communication, violating court orders, and excessive social media use, all damaging your case and your child's well-being. 

How long does a habeas corpus take?

The court must rule on a petition for writ of habeas corpus within 60 days after the petition is filed.

What is a good sentence for habeas corpus?

The lawyer filed a habeas corpus petition since his client was being held without charges. When his due process rights were violated, he sought relief through a writ of habeas corpus.

How many presidents have suspended habeas corpus?

Habeas corpus has been suspended a few times in U.S. history, primarily by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, by President Ulysses S. Grant in South Carolina during Reconstruction to combat the KKK, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in Hawaii after Pearl Harbor, and by President Theodore Roosevelt in the Philippines, involving at least four presidents in different contexts, though Lincoln's and Bush's actions have drawn significant attention and controversy. 

What are some common grounds for habeas corpus relief?

Common grounds for habeas corpus relief challenge unlawful imprisonment due to constitutional violations, such as ineffective legal counsel, prosecutorial misconduct, coerced confessions, or unconstitutional laws; also include newly discovered evidence of innocence, lack of court jurisdiction, or cruel and unusual punishment in confinement, serving as a crucial check on detention beyond direct appeals. 

What is the heaviest corpus petition?

A writ of habeas corpus is used to bring a prisoner or other detainee (e.g. an institutionalized psychiatric patient) before the court to determine if the person's imprisonment or detention is lawful. A habeas petition proceeds as a civil action against the State agent who holds the defendant in custody.

Who can suspend habeas corpus?

While Congress alone has the authority to suspend habeas, it can't do so at will; it can only suspend habeas “when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.”

What looks bad in a custody case?

In a custody battle, bad behavior that looks bad to a judge includes parental alienation (badmouthing the other parent to kids), dishonesty, interfering with parenting time, emotional outbursts, making threats, using the child as a messenger, and failing to prioritize the child's needs over conflict, as courts focus on the child's best interests, not parental disputes. Actions like substance abuse, criminal issues, or creating instability for the child also severely harm your case.
 

What is the 9 minute rule in parenting?

The "9-Minute Rule" or "9-Minute Theory" in parenting suggests dedicating focused, distraction-free time during three key 3-minute windows daily: right after waking, right after school/daycare, and right before bed, to build strong parent-child bonds, reduce parental guilt, and foster a child's sense of security and connection, though experts emphasize quality presence and adapting the timing to fit family schedules, as more than 9 minutes is always beneficial.
 

What money can't be touched in a divorce?

Money that can't be touched in a divorce is typically separate property, including assets owned before marriage, inheritances, and gifts, but it must be kept separate from marital funds to avoid becoming divisible; commingling (mixing) these funds with joint accounts, or using inheritance to pay marital debt, can make them vulnerable to division. Prenuptial agreements or clear documentation are key to protecting these untouchable assets, as courts generally divide marital property acquired during the marriage.
 

How often is habeas corpus successful?

Habeas corpus success rates are very low, generally less than 1% for non-capital cases and slightly higher, around 10%, in capital (death penalty) cases, though data varies. Most petitions are dismissed on procedural grounds before even being heard on their merits, making it an extremely difficult path to relief, with many successful claims leading to a new trial rather than immediate release. 

What does the 27th Amendment actually say?

The 27th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says that no law varying the compensation for Senators and Representatives shall take effect until an election of representatives has intervened, meaning Congress can't give itself a pay raise that takes effect immediately; they have to wait until after the next election, allowing voters to decide if they approve. It was originally proposed in 1789 by James Madison but wasn't ratified until 1992, making it the last ratified amendment, with a long history due to its lack of a time limit for ratification.
 

What happens if you win habeas corpus?

A successful Writ of Habeas Corpus may result in a reduction of a prison sentence, a new trial, or even a person's freedom.

How to win a habeas corpus?

Ways a Habeas Petition Can Be Successful

  1. Conviction under unconstitutional law. If you can show that the law you were convicted under violated the California or U.S. Constitution in the first place, then you may be granted relief.
  2. Ineffective assistance of counsel, or no lawyer provided. ...
  3. Prosecutorial misconduct.

What is the #1 leading cause of wrongful convictions?

While a systemic issue often cannot be traced back to a singular cause, in this case, the most common factor leading to wrongful convictions is faulty eyewitness testimony. An overwhelming majority, as high as 75%, of known wrongful convictions involve mistaken eyewitness identifications6.

What is considered the worst Supreme Court case ever?

While subjective, Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) is widely considered the worst Supreme Court case ever for denying Black people citizenship, fueling slavery, and pushing the nation toward Civil War, with other notorious decisions including Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) (sanctioning segregation) and Korematsu v. United States (1944) (upholding Japanese internment). More recent controversial rulings often cited include Citizens United v. FEC (2010) (campaign finance) and Kelo v. New London (2005) (eminent domain).