What protection does "habeas corpus" provide?

Habeas corpus is a fundamental legal principle that serves to protect individuals from unlawful detention and imprisonment. It allows a person who is incarcerated to seek relief from unlawful detention by asking a court to assess whether their imprisonment is legally valid. If the court finds that the detention is not justified, it can order the individual's release. This mechanism is crucial as it ensures that no one can be held without just cause, reinforcing the idea that freedom cannot be infringed upon without due process.

While other choices mention important legal protections—like excessive bail, the right to a fair trial, and protection against witness intimidation—these are distinct legal rights that are not encompassed by the specific function of habeas corpus. The primary focus of habeas corpus is on challenging the legality of confinement itself, making option B the most accurate representation of its purpose.