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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 Clara E. Heaston for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 17, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Anna Citta for writ of Habeas Corpus for Francis Citta

  • Earliest record date: July 29, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Frank Timmons, Petitioner, vs. Thomas Morris as Sheriff of Pierce County, Washington, Defendant

  • Earliest record date: June 28, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: barbering without a license or certificate
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Taka Shibata for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 12, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: public charge
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of William M. Zook For a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 14, 1917
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: spousal custody | Institutional: juvenile detention | Institutional: disability
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of David D. Goertzen, for writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 24, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: desertion
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Vito Cheala for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 21, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: suspicious character
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of Application of H. S. Scott and J. H. Rogers for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 1, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: robbery
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of application of Ethel Siefken for and on behalf of Marvel Siefken, Elmo Siefken and Kennard Siefken, minors for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 3, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Blanche Powers for a writ of Habeas Corpus for the body of Walter Powers

  • Earliest record date: April 20, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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 the matter of application of Carl Gunther for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 31, 1920
  • 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 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 Petition of Russell Eyerly and Raymond Eyerly for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 22, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Gussie Burns for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 28, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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 Carl O. Nelson for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Georgia Catherine Nelson

  • Earliest record date: February 24, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Claudio Delitala for writ of habeas corpus for Francesca Lozito

  • Earliest record date: February 20, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Mario Lozito for writ of Habeas Corpus for Francesca Lozito

  • Earliest record date: February 16, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ vacated
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Thomas F. Kelly F.A. Kane and Wiley Compton for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 4, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of application of Mabel Brooks by her attorney Daniel Horrigan for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 31, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Hisayo Kuwahara for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 21, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917 | Carceral: immigration | Carceral: public charge
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

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 the matter of the Application of Frances Anzalone by Sebastino Anzalone (her husband) and Joe Valendi (her father) for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 12, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: juvenile detention | Institutional: spousal custody | Carceral: marriage within legal degree of consanguinity
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Frederick Jacobsen for Writ of Habeas Corpus for Helen Jacobsen

  • Earliest record date: December 29, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Frances Hulm For a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 27, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Samuel Goldsmith for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Michael Goldsmith

  • Earliest record date: December 26, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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: possession of burglary tools | Carceral: burglary
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody | remained in 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 matter of the application of Carol Williams for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 9, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution | Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Sadie Millett and Harry D. Ryan, for the writ of Habeas Corpus for the custody of Constance Cheshire

  • Earliest record date: March 9, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Itchitara Matsutsuyu to be released on Habeas Corpus.

  • Earliest record date: December 2, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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

  • Earliest record date: November 11, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • 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 James Cummings for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 5, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In re application of Frank Kreishutz for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 14, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Arthur Treichel, minor on the part of Marie Holz and Adolph Holz for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 2, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Dismissed

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 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 application of Stanley Fox for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 18, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: statutory rape | Carceral: default of bail
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of application of Joseph O'Hara for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 18, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault with intent to commit rape
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of Thomas Sullivan on writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 13, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral | Carceral: statutory rape
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Andy Pappas for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 31, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: prostitution
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

In the matter of application of Wade Gregory and Clarence J. Burress for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 13, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter application of George Duncan for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 2, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In re app of Mack Dwyer for writ of H.C.

  • Earliest record date: August 28, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy | Carceral: refusal or inability to pay fine
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In re app Mack Sterns for writ H.C.

  • Earliest record date: August 28, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application for Ruth Mathews for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 27, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy | Carceral: prostitution
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

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

  • Earliest record date: August 28, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

In the matter of the application of Mamie Allen for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 25, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy | Carceral: prostitution
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody
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