Case Name: In the Matter of the Application of JAMES T. SHELTON for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
Court: Supreme Court of California
Jurisdiction: California
Decision Date: 1918-07-22
Citations: 178 Cal. 552
Docket Number: Crim. No. 2192
Parties: In the Matter of the Application of JAMES T. SHELTON for a Writ of Habeas Corpus.
Judges: 
Reporter: California Reports
Volume: 178
Pages: 552–552

Head Matter:
[Crim. No. 2192.
In Bank.
July 22, 1918.]
In the Matter of the Application of JAMES T. SHELTON for a Writ of Habeas Corpus.
Habeas Corpus—Requisites of Petition.—A petition for a writ of habeas corpus must show wherein the illegal imprisonment exists; and where it seeks discharge of one from the state prison, it must show that the prisoner was not deprived of credits for good conduct, where his term would not have expired if he had been deprived of them.
APPLICATION for Writ of Habeas Corpus.
The facts are stated in the opinion of the court.
James T. Shelton, in pro. per.

Opinion:
THE COURT.
The petition for a writ of habeas corpus does not sufficiently show the existence of facts entitling the petitioner to be discharged. It is not made to appear therein that the petitioner was not lawfully deprived by the board of prison directors of the credits to which he would be entitled for good conduct under section 1588 of the Penal Code, and if he has been so deprived, his term has not expired. It is incumbent on one seeking his discharge on habeas corpus from the state prison to specifically show by proper allegation of facts his right to a discharge. The law governing the matter expressly provides that if the imprisonment is alleged to be illegal, the petitioner for a writ must state "in what the alleged illegality consists" (Pen. Code, sec. 1474). This, in our judgment, the petitioner has not sufficiently done.
The application for a writ is denied without prejudice to the making of a further application.