The scene where Sampson rushes in with a "habeas corpus" and the police release Webb when he was being arrested for the murder of his secretary is a complete misconstruing of the procedure. A writ of habeas corpus does not prevent anyone from being arrested. It is used to force a custodial or detention authority to prove that they are lawfully holding the arrested or confined person. A writ would be presented after the person is taken into custody and might possibly result in release if the authority can't produce credible evidence or suspicion to justify the person being held.
