What does a writ of habeas corpus accomplish?

A writ of habeas corpus is a fundamental legal action that serves to protect an individual's right to not be unlawfully detained. Specifically, it requires that a person who is imprisoned be brought before a court, along with the evidence justifying their detention. This legal instrument ensures that courts can review the lawfulness of the individual's imprisonment and provides a mechanism for challenging unlawful confinement.

By filing a writ of habeas corpus, a prisoner can seek a judicial review of the reasons for their detention, which could potentially lead to their release if the court finds the imprisonment to be without proper legal basis. This is a crucial safeguard against the arbitrary detainment of individuals, reinforcing the principle of due process under the law.

The other options, while related to aspects of legal processes, do not accurately define the primary function of a writ of habeas corpus. For instance, it does not allow for an appeal of a sentence, nor does it issue pardons or specifically focus on the conditions of prison facilities. Instead, its central aim is to secure the right to contest one's detention in a court of law.