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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 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 Adolphus Gordon for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 11, 1905
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: possession of stolen property
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In The Matter of the Application of C. Larson for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 12, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlicensed ticket scalping
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of George Kotros for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 12, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution | Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Petition denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody | deported | exhibits withdrawn

In Re Petition of Gus Bendjus et al for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 15, 1887
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: rioting | Carceral: malicious destruction of property
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

Habeas Corpus in the Matter of Terrance O'Connell

  • Earliest record date: March 9, 1854
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: underage military enlistment
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the Application of Archibald S. Jones for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 21, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In re application of Williams Alfredo for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 18, 1917
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful detention
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Benjamin Creel for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 4, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

John W Harding vs G. W. L. Allen

  • Earliest record date: December 23, 1878
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: refusal to pay bail
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of E. P. Child to be discharged from custody on a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 27, 1868
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Frank Zarnnif for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 26, 1870
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Application of Anthony C. Wagner for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 4, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment | Carceral: fraud
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of application of Agnes Marshall for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 13, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy | Carceral: inmate of ill-governed house
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Dismissed

In the matter of the application of Martin D. Reilly and Christy Reilly for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 29, 1922
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of John W. Hall for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 15, 1890
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: gambling
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of said William Kirkland for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 12, 1872
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Wallace Gemmill Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 24, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: kidnapping
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application and Petition of Earl J. Sorenson for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 21, 1922
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Not in custody

In the matter of the Application of John King for writ Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 15, 1904
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: kidnapping
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Mamie S Gipson and Cora Mafall for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 31, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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

  • Earliest record date: March 26, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: disorderly conduct
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of O. V. Lawson for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 8, 1906
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: practicing medicine without a license
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

The United States of America upon the relation of Harry Compton 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 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

Habeas Corpus in the matter of Philip Lowry

  • Earliest record date: December 18, 1854
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: underage military enlistment
  • 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 the matter of the application of Louie Charles 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

The State if Nebraska on the Relation of Willam J. McClain, Relator V. John Briggs and Michael Corccran, Respondants

  • Earliest record date: November 12, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: gambling
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Petition of Joseph Mifford for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 14, 1889
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of John C. Owen for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 11, 1911
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Leo Lung-Oh for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 21, 1906
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: deportation
  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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 application of Margaret Grundy by Mrs. Roy Davis her mother and next friend for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 23, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: convent
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Esther A. Johnson, Chief Juvenile Officer for writ of Habeas Corpus (Harry Litter) [Little]

  • Earliest record date: February 3, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas Corpus To the Jailor of S Louis County. P. Chouteau Sr. B. Pratte & A. Amelin

  • Earliest record date: May 10, 1826
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive slavery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the Application of Anna Berg et al for Writ of Habeas Corpus, Wasgreu

  • Earliest record date: October 26, 1903
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Petition of Aubrey Pickard for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for Leonard Pickards

  • Earliest record date: January 25, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the Application of Loran L. Paine for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 8, 1903
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In re-application of Grace Baker for writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 9, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Habeas Corpus in the Matter of William Jones & William Barclay

  • Earliest record date: October 27, 1854
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

On the matter of the application of A. P. Scruggs for writ of Habeas Corpus for Charles Moore

  • Earliest record date: November 18, 1922
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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

In the Matter of the Application and Petition of C. H. Paul for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 18, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the app of Josie Celestine et ux for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 2, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: New custody arrangement reached

In the Matter of the Petition of William Jones, William H. Doyle, Fred Williams and Alfred Woods for a Writ of Habeas Corpuswa

  • Earliest record date: February 8, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: refusal or inability to pay recognizance
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of J. S. Roadman for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 14, 1883
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: no charge
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

King County v. William Hughs and Micheal Broderick

  • Earliest record date: October 5, 1876
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: refusal to pay bail
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the application of Louis M. Cohn for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 26, 1892
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: contempt of court
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of William, A Chinaman, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 24, 1884
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: opium use | Carceral: refusal or inability to pay fine | Carceral: drug use
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown
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