Every person imprisoned or restrained of the person’s liberty under any pretense whatever may prosecute a writ of habeas corpus to inquire into the cause of such imprisonment or restraint and thereby, except in the cases specified in section 32-22-02, obtain relief from such imprisonment or restraint if it is unlawful.

Terms Used In North Dakota Code 32-22-01

  • 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.
  • Person: means an individual, organization, government, political subdivision, or government agency or instrumentality. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
  • Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.