What does habeas corpus protect?

Habeas corpus is a legal principle that protects individuals from being detained unlawfully. It specifically guarantees the right of a person to appear before a court or judge to determine if their detention is lawful. This means that if someone is imprisoned, they can request a writ of habeas corpus, which requires the detaining authority to justify the legality of their imprisonment before a judge.

The concept is fundamental in preventing arbitrary detention and ensuring that individuals have access to judicial oversight regarding their liberty. While the other options relate to rights within the criminal justice system, they do not specifically encapsulate the essence of habeas corpus. The right to a public trial, the right to remain silent, and the right to an attorney focus on the broader rights of defendants during legal proceedings, rather than the specific right to challenge unlawful detention before a judge.