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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.

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1876 results

In the matter of the application of Robert Catlin for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 30, 1872
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Ordered to be re-sentenced

In the matter of the application of B. E. Miller for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 1, 1903
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of James Brown for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 4, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: posting bills or advertisements
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In re application of Flossie Gordon for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 6, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of application Emma Morgan for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 15, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of Thomas Fountain for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 13, 1891
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault with a deadly weapon
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Louis Loukas for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 9, 1922
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wife desertion | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Russell G. Watson for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 12, 1900
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Jacob C. Caldwell for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 26, 1907
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: sabbath breaking
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Habeas Corpus in the matter of William B. Albert

  • Earliest record date: June 20, 1855
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: underage military enlistment
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of application of Sunny Luckey alias Charles Edwards for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 29, 1893
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Louis Loukas for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 15, 1922
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wife desertion | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from 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

In the matter of the Application of Josie Martin in Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 27, 1904
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas Corpus of Irene Thornton against Katherine Murphine

  • Earliest record date: March 11, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Susie Blue and Mary Woods, for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 23, 1898
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drunk and disorderly
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

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 Samuel R. Thompson for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 31, 1924
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice | Carceral: wife abandonment
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Lewis G. Walsh for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 13, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: painting on private bill boards
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Charles Lewis and Ellis Hyde for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 22, 1895
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drunk and disorderly
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In re application of Joe Petrovick for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 31, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of M. C. Quinn for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 3, 1889
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: threatening violence
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the Application of George Schuler for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 25, 1898
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: refusal or inability to pay fine | Carceral: selling liquor without a license
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Richard Townsend, by his Attorneys, McDonald & Woodland, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 2, 1904
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: desertion
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

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

  • Earliest record date: August 15, 1867
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the Application of Ah Oy, alias Loy Sen for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 14, 1904
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: embezzlement
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application and petition of Edward Thacker, for writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 21, 1905
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: New custody arrangement reached

In the matter of the application of Berl Bernard for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 3, 1905
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Athas Chinis for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 20, 1910
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: disturbing the peace
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the Application of Ella Bevington Habeas Corpus of F. R. Day

  • Earliest record date: April 12, 1904
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: kidnapping
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Joe Gorden for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 24, 1909
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of William H. Martin for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 1, 1889
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the illegal confinement of Nellie Louisa Lopez

  • Earliest record date: July 17, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party

In the Matter of the Application of Irwin A. Medlar for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 11, 1891
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice | Carceral: seduction
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Habeas Corpus in the matter of Adam Riley

  • Earliest record date: August 4, 1853
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive slavery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In re Mike Miller vs. Felix J. McShane and Henry Schroeder, application for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 25, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault with intent to commit great bodily injury
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Ruth McLane for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 5, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: inmate of ill-governed home
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Tony Branchi for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 23, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Emma Bell Wenzel (Class name Celeste), Emma Hennesen (Class name Margaret Mary), Mary McCarthy (Class name Cresentia), and Susie King (Class name Delia)

  • Earliest record date: March 18, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: imprisoned for longer than term
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Solomon Boward for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 25, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody | remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Yvonne La Fevre and Georgette Normand

  • Earliest record date: February 11, 1903
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed

Territory of Washington v. William C. Swartz

  • Earliest record date: July 9, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: stole one cow
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the Application of Mrs Blanche Folson for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 27, 1909
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of V. B. Walker, attorney for Maud Raymond for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 23, 1897
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: petty larceny
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In Re Application of Jane M. Williams for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 31, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Eugene W. Way for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 2, 1892
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: gambling
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

In the matter of the application of Al Shaw for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 16, 1887
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In re application of Richard Casey for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 31, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: carrying a concealed weapon
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas Corpus of George Hanson for Florence Hansen against Louis Hansen et al

  • Earliest record date: August 6, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown
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