People v. Newton

Petitioner [defendant] comes before this court to enforce bis civil right to liberty. He resorts to the great writ of habeas corpus which has for centuries been the only real and sufficient bastion of personal freedom and dignity. He inquires not into the offense charged to him but into the esteemed right to liberty which is the matrix of our judicial system. The instant writ tests the legality of petitioner’s detention, notwithstanding the criminal act he is alleged to have committed.

The sole issue to be decided by this court is one of jurisdiction over the person of the petitioner.

A hearing…