Writ

What Does Writ Mean?

A writ is a legal document issued by a court that either directs a person to do something or prohibits them from doing something. For example, it might be an order granting law enforcement the authority to apprehend a person or a court action intervening in a dispute between two parties.

Insuranceopedia Explains Writ

The person who writes and issues a writ is typically a court judge or someone with equivalent authority and responsibility.

There are various types of writs. For instance, a warrant is a writ that directs a police officer to arrest a criminal suspect. A subpoena is a writ that compels an individual to appear in court, even if they are unwilling.

A writ can also be used to challenge the validity of a court action. For example, a higher court can issue a writ to review the decisions of a lower court. One such writ is the writ of habeas corpus, which examines the constitutional legality of criminal convictions.