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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

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

Habeas Corpus of Hugh Bronson against Edw. Cudihee Shf.

  • Earliest record date: December 3, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: threatening to kill
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Samuel Ford for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 21, 1911
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of John McNeil for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 12, 1891
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: default of bail
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of application of Effie Norland for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 2, 1922
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Edward Toman for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 7, 1922
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified | Institutional: juvenile detention
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Himan Klimax for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 27, 1890
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of application of W. C. Adams for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 29, 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 Charles W. Nordstrom for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 20, 1897
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: first degree murder
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody | deceased

United States vs. Mathias Rose

  • Earliest record date: December 3, 1819
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: wrongful enslavement
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas Corpus in the Matter of Hugh Maganity

  • Earliest record date: April 22, 1857
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: underage military enlistment
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of application of William Richter, Helena Richter, his wife, and Albert Wilhelm Richter, their minor child, for writs of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 2, 1878
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the petition of M. Bartlett for a writ of Habeas Corpus for L. Bartlett

  • Earliest record date: December 20, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Alice Strauss for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 30, 1908
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: convent
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Moy Share Park for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 2, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: Chinese Exclusion Act
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Robert Geslin for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 16, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of John Goumas for writ 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 application of Jenny Degauy 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 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 Habeas Corpus of Patrick Melia

  • Earliest record date: January 1, 1871
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Ordered to be re-sentenced

In the matter of the application of Robert H. Johnson for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 20, 1922
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Katie Christner Writ of habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 30, 1906
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Elmer Buchanan for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 20, 1896
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: disturbing the peace | Carceral: drunk and disorderly
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Patrick Cahill for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 4, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Application of Francois Lafontaisis for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 14, 1874
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: selling liquor to Indians
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

The United States of America upon the relation of Axel Pierson 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 John C. Mischnick for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 7, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of David Hughes Alexander S Hughes, Joseph Brannan James Boyd and David Hart, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus Against Lewis V. Wycoff, Sheriff of King County Washington Territory

  • Earliest record date: May 14, 1875
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: peace bond
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Frank O'Neill - Dave Gillinsky, A. F. Pirson first and real name unknown Art Williams and William Larsen for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 10, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: breaking and entering
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody | remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Joseph Nachtneble for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 12, 1888
  • 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 Daniel S. Conroy for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 18, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of F. J. Phillips for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 17, 1892
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: bastardy
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of John D. Snow for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 7, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of application of Robert McCullough for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 11, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of George W. Turley upon a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 25, 1853
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive slavery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In re Application of Oluf Larson

  • Earliest record date: January 23, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of John Price, for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 5, 1917
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

In the matter of the application of F. Hazleton Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 9, 1898
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Mary A. Thomas, for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 16, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody | new custody arrangement reached

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 Frank D. Steel for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 25, 1906
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: embezzlement
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In re Application of James C. Morrisey for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 30, 1897
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: gambling
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

In the Matter of the Application of George Alexander Mirianon, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 19, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: insubordination to superior officer
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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

  • Earliest record date: July 22, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Nathan Sanguinette for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 22, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: burglary
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In re application of Mildred Ashlyn for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 8, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Louis W. R. Beaty for writ of H. C.

  • Earliest record date: March 17, 1910
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: mixing garbage with refuse
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the application of Gaston Akoun, Madroche Zitoune, Abraham L. Reed, and S. B. Wadley for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 30, 1898
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: refusal or inability to pay fine | Carceral: violation of injunction
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Casper Krallman Relator for a writ of Habeas Corpus vs. Michael L. Clark, Sheriff, Respondent

  • Earliest record date: September 16, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful possession and transport of intoxicating liquor
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the application of William Bridwell for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 8, 1892
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody
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