{"id":352344,"date":"2023-12-11T16:23:10","date_gmt":"2023-12-11T21:23:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/writs.html"},"modified":"2025-05-13T15:22:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T20:22:00","slug":"writs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/writs.html","title":{"rendered":"Types of Writs in Criminal Law"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Types of Writs in Criminal Law<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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A court writ is a higher court order directing a lower court or government official to take action. In any criminal case, a defendant may file an appeal with the next higher appellate body one time. However, they can file multiple court writs.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Defendants may seek several types of writs from appellate judges. The higher court, such as the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals, directs signed writs to the trial or lower appellate court<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

This article covers federal and state court writs and explains the extraordinary remedies they can provide. Most writs require advanced legal knowledge and involve detailed procedures. Defendants who want to apply for a writ should consult a criminal defense attorney<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Federal and State Court Writs<\/h2>\r\n

The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure explicitly abolished certain types of writs. They now offer most forms of relief through either a lawsuit or motion.<\/p>\r\n

However, some court writs are still available in federal courts, including:<\/p>\r\n