Habeas for the Twenty-First Century

Uses, Abuses, and the Future of the Great Writ

King Nancy J., Hoffmann Joseph L.

For centuries, the writ of habeas corpus has served as an important safeguard against miscarriages of justice, and today it remains at the center of some of the most contentious issues of our time – among them terrorism, immigration, crime, and the death penalty. Yet, in recent decades, habeas has been seriously abused. In this book, Nancy J. King and Joseph L. Hoffmann argue that habeas should be exercised with greater prudence.

Through historical, empirical, and legal analysis, as well as illustrative case studies, the authors examine the current use of the writ in the United States and offer sound reform proposals to help ensure its ongoing vitality in today's justice system. Comprehensive and thoroughly grounded in a modern understanding of habeas corpus, this informative book will be an insightful read for legal scholars and anyone interested in the importance of habeas corpus for American government.

Reviews

"A well-written, accessible, and fairly nontechnical overview of the function of the writ of habeas corpus, the ways in which it is and is not working, and an effectively presented case for reform. Few books cover as much ground in as concise a manner" – Todd Pettys, University of Iowa College of Law

"A thorough and enlightening study of the Great Writ. No discussion of habeas corpus in the postconviction context can afford to ignore this important book" – Daniel J. Meltzer, Story Professor of Law, Harvard Law School

"King and Hoffmann have written a timely and fascinating primer on the recent history of the writ's evolution, and they point the way toward future changes by underscoring two of the central problems that will continue to confront us in the decades to come: wrongful convictions and inadequate defense lawyering at trials. Their rich description of the role habeas corpus plays in our system provides an engaging introduction for all interested in criminal justice" – Brandon L. Garrett, University of Virginia Law School

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