A writ of habeas corpus safeguards individual freedom primarily by preventing detention for a crime without sufficient evidence or lawful authority. It is a legal order requiring that a person detained by the government be brought before a court to examine the legality of their detention. If the custodian cannot justify the detention with valid legal grounds, the court must order the person's release

. Key points on how habeas corpus protects individual liberty:

• It acts as a check on government power by ensuring authorities cannot imprison someone arbitrarily or indefinitely without due process

• It requires the custodian (e.g., jailer or government official) to present the detained individual before a court and prove lawful authority for the detention

• It prevents unlawful or illegal imprisonment by providing a judicial mechanism to challenge detention before trial or sentencing

• Habeas corpus does not provide a defense for committing a crime nor does it allow avoiding sentencing; it only tests whether the detention itself is lawful

• It upholds the presumption of innocence by ensuring no one is held without sufficient evidence or legal justification

In summary, a writ of habeas corpus safeguards individual freedom by preventing detention without evidence or lawful cause, ensuring judicial oversight of detentions, and protecting against arbitrary or unlawful imprisonment