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Habeas petitions described a broad range of carceral, institutional, and interpersonal confinement over the long nineteenth century, including those used to demand due process, resist enslavement, challenge child removal and reservation confinement, avoid deportation, present child custody claims and protest child marriage, and to challenge institutionalization and detention in private and state institutions. As a legal mechanism borrowed from British common law and guaranteed as a civil right in US federal and state constitutions, habeas provides a lens on a diverse community of legal actors.

Our encoding practice allows us to identify petitions in these three categories and to indicate where those categories overlap. In addition to these three general categories, our team has identified the specific carceral charge being challenged as well as the particular forms of institutional and interpersonal confinements being questioned.

You may also browse or search petitions by location and/or jurisdiction to learn more about the myriad complaints petitioners brought before judges in Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, and Washington between 1812 and 1924. Each case entry includes a full citation, a summary, links to people with a role in the case, a list of other people named, and any sites of significance. Visitors wanting access to full case files can contact the cited repository for information about obtaining copies. Those without institutional affiliations may request image scans from Dr. Jagodinsky directly. The Glossary defines the attributes used to structure data from the habeas petitions. The Code Book explains the relational structure of the data and functionality of the database website.

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  • between 31 and 40 pages 81

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Length of Case File : between 31 and 40 pages

81 results

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Dennis H. Cronin, U. S. Marshal, et al., Appellants, vs. Fred Totoro

  • Earliest record date: June 17, 1924
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful possession of intoxicating liquor | Carceral: unlawful sale of intoxicating liquor
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Dennis H. Cronin, U.S. Marshal, et al., Appellants, vs. Florence Godly

  • Earliest record date: June 17, 1924
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful sale of intoxicating liquor | Carceral: unlawful possession of intoxicating liquor
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Dennis H. Cronin, U. S. Marshal, et al., Appellants, vs. Charles Marino

  • Earliest record date: June 17, 1924
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful possession of intoxicating liquor | Carceral: unlawful sale of intoxicating liquor
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Dennis H. Cronin, U. S. Marshal, et al., Appellants, vs. Mary Pierce

  • Earliest record date: June 17, 1924
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful sale of intoxicating liquor
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of John Fenezia for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 17, 1924
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful sale of intoxicating liquor
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of George W. Steward Father and legal Guardian and cutodian of George W. Steward Jr. Minor for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 3, 1924
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Antonio Sesto for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 17, 1924
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917 | Carceral: deportation
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Alfio DeGeorge for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 26, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Harriet O'Grady, on behalf of Myrtle O'Grady, vs. Doctor J. N. Smith, Superintendent of the State Institution for Feeble Minded

  • Earliest record date: May 1, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: juvenile detention
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

James G. V. Ingoldsby, Plaintiff v. W. T. Fenton, Warden State Penitentiary of the State of Nebraska, Defendant

  • Earliest record date: June 16, 1922
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: forgery | Carceral: uttering | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Katherine M. Hauser for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 4, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Matoba Watari for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 1, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Exhibits withdrawn | remained in custody | deported

The United States of America upon the relation of Arthur Wyse v. James B. Nickerson, Acting United States Marshal for the District of Nebraska, and Edwin C. Boehler, United States Commissioner for the Omaha Division, District of Nebraska and Michael L. Clark, Sheriff of Douglas County, Nebraska

  • Earliest record date: May 7, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice | Carceral: uttering and passing forged paper | Carceral: robbery and battery | Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Wu Kao (Ng Go) for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 4, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Deported

In the matter of the petition of Hiura, Teiichi for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 1, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: obtaining passport under false pretenses | Carceral: public charge
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of H. J. Finch for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 12, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fraud | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In re application of William Johnson for writ Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 24, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: statutory rape | Carceral: default of bail
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Alson B. Cole for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 14, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: first degree murder
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In re application of Edward Falconer for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 24, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party

In the matter of the application of Apolonio Trugillo and Apolonia Trugillo for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 5, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied | writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the Application of Bartholomeo Massulo, for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 8, 1917
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: public charge | Carceral: advocating or teaching anarchy | Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Janet MacKay, formerly Janet Roy, for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 1, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Deported

In the Matter of the Application of Charles Jackson for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 19, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Michel Koseris for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 7, 1917
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: seeking exemption from draft
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Yo You Jam, for a writ of habeas corpus.

  • Earliest record date: August 4, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of William Gerald on Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 1, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Institutional: imprisoned for longer than term | Carceral: smuggling
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Thomas L. Thurston for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 23, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: detaining, delaying, and embezzling mail matter
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Gross S. Edison for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 4, 1857
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment | Carceral: fraud
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Virgie La Grand, ex rel James La Grand, her husband, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus vs. Esther M. Hopkins, Supt. State Industrial School for Girls

  • Earliest record date: November 7, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: juvenile detention | Institutional: spousal custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of Henri Dachez on Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 14, 1877
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution | Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied | writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Application of James A. Marcil for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 21, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral | Institutional: imprisoned for longer than term
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Antonia Bisegna for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 14, 1908
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: public charge | Carceral: immigration | Carceral: moral turpitude
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Petition of Edwin L. Cady for a Writ of Habeas Corpus, in behalf of William L. Gardner vs Dr. R. E. Lee Steiner, Sup’t. of the Oregon State Hospital for the Insane

  • Earliest record date: September 1, 1911
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Habeas Corpus of W. S. Matthews against Maria Matthews + House of the Good Shepherd

  • Earliest record date: June 10, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody | Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas Corpus of George Roy Wood against Edward Cudihee Sheriff

  • Earliest record date: June 9, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Petition denied
  • Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party

In the matter of the application T. Toda for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 13, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: postal theft
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party

In the matter of the application of Yuzuoka Mutsu for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 18, 1910
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: deportation | Carceral: prostitution | Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody | deported

In the Matter of the Application of Martin Von Schlosser for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 2, 1905
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of John Alperson for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 6, 1905
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: selling tobacco
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of William H. Beck and John F. Mackey for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 11, 1905
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: refusal or inability to pay recognizance
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the application of James Murray for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 14, 1905
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In Re: Application of L.J. Urann for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 1, 1905
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice | Carceral: larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In Re: Application of N. T. B. Pentreath for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 30, 1905
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice | Carceral: unlawfully and fraudulently uttering a forged document
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of W. M. McPhay for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 24, 1903
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Mike Aboud for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 21, 1905
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party

In the Matter of the Petition of Robert Gillis for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 22, 1904
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of W. J. Irwin for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 19, 1904
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In Re: Petition of H. C. Littooy for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 4, 1904
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: practising dentistry without a license
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed | writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of W. L. Lafferty by his attorney Francis J. Lynch for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 10, 1903
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: peddling without a license | Carceral: refusal or inability to pay fine | Carceral: municipal violation
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of George Hawkins for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 23, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: robbery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody
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