Skip to main content
« Back to Explore

Cases

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.

Filter by:

Date

Drag slider to explore cases

Dates: -

State

Petition Type

Petition Subtype

See more

Petition Outcome

Fate of Bound Party

Sex of Bound Party

Age of Bound Party

Race of Bound Party

Petition Year

Earliest Record Date

Latest Record Year

Court Name

Type of Source

Length of Case File

Points of Law Cited

See more

People

See more
State : Washington

623 results

In the matter of the application of Gussie Goldman Woods for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 13, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: prostitution
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Elsie Miller Dickinson for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 13, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: prostitution
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Chin Quock Wah for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 14, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Francis Stephen Medcraf for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 3, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: practising dentistry without a license
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Chin Sheung Wing for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 25, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Lewis Johnson, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 4, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Deported

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 Edward Krause for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 18, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: kidnapping
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of F. Ota, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 19, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: advocating or teaching anarchy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of Joseph Williams On Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 25, 1910
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of George Leib on Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 10, 1860
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment | Carceral: forgery
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Ng Kwack Kang for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 10, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Deported

In the Matter of Thomas Ross on Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 7, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: selling liquor to Indians
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In re Thomas V. Redman on Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 13, 1911
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: passing counterfeit currency
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Petition of A. B. Kelly for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 11, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Charles Myers, on Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 29, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses | Carceral: obtaining goods under false pretenses
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Harry Smith v. United States

  • Earliest record date: July 1, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drug use
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Harry Smith and Barney Slomen v. United States

  • Earliest record date: July 1, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drug use
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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 Chin Wah Hing, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for Chin Doe Tung

  • Earliest record date: July 7, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Charles M. Helmore v. United States

  • Earliest record date: July 18, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drug use
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Sam Plastino for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 25, 1911
  • Petition type(s): carceral: Violation of White Slave Traffic Act | Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from 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

Leroy Smith v. O. P. Halligan

  • Earliest record date: April 7, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drug use | Carceral: possession of cocaine leaves
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Order of discharge

In the matter of David Livingstone on Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 14, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: military infraction
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application for a writ of Habeas Corpus of W. W. Wingard

  • Earliest record date: August 16, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: tampering with witness(es)
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Mrs. Gladys Fredrika Fuson, for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 10, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody | Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Kunijiro Toguchi for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 6, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of William L. Huffman on Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 15, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment | Carceral: possession of opium derivatives
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

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

  • Earliest record date: May 29, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: violation of Mann Act/White-Slave Traffic Act of 1910
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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 Gerasimos Nicolovinis for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 1, 1918
  • 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 Phillip Chiantis for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 5, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: seeking exemption from draft
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Theofarius George Mastoros for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 13, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: conscription
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Frank M. Ringer for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 26, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: seeking exemption from draft
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Petition of Neil MacDonald for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 15, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: espionage act | Carceral: treason
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Joe Lacorte for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 18, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: seeking exemption from draft
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Joseph Hansen for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 14, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

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 Carl Berg for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 15, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property | Carceral: public charge | Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Martin DeWall for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 13, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Edwin Ekstrom, for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 14, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property | Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917 | Carceral: public charge
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Tom Weber, for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 29, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property | Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917 | Carceral: public charge
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Mike Oumpu, for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 29, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property | Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917 | Carceral: public charge
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Frank Sulak, for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 29, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property | Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917 | Carceral: public charge
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of William Reitman for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 29, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property | Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917 | Carceral: public charge | Carceral: advocating or teaching destruction | Carceral: advocating for unlawful destruction | Carceral: advocating for unlawful destruction of property | Carceral: advocating for unlawful distruction of property
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Peter Williamson Merta, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 9, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917 | Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property | Carceral: public charge
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of John Lievo, for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 17, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917 | Carceral: public charge | Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Rudolph Tschahle for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 23, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: advocating for unlawful destruction of property | Carceral: immigration | Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Joe Martin, for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 8, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917 | Carceral: immigration | Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property | Carceral: public charge
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown
Back to top