Terms Used In Missouri Laws 532.250

  • Habeas corpus: A writ that is usually used to bring a prisoner before the court to determine the legality of his imprisonment. It may also be used to bring a person in custody before the court to give testimony, or to be prosecuted.
  • Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.

If no such examination shall have accompanied the commitment, nor be in the possession of the officer having the prisoner in custody, such officer shall exhibit the writ of habeas corpus, when served on him, to the judge by whom the prisoner was committed, or to the clerk of the court, if the papers are in his office; and it shall be the duty of the judge or clerk to deliver to such officer having the custody of the prisoner the examination and proofs relating to the offense charged, to be by such officer returned with the writ.