How have federal courts treated a habeas corpus petition drafted by a lawyer for personal use?

A petition for habeas corpus ought not to be scrutinized with technical nicety. Holiday v. Johnston, 313 U.S. 342, 350 (1941). To make the protection afforded by the writ of habeas corpus effective for "unlettered prisoners without friends or funds," federal courts have long disregarded legalistic requirements in examining applications for the writ ..." Dorr v. Burford, 339 U.S. 200, 203 (1950).

In this circuit we have held that habeas corpus petitions drafted by laymen should be read with a measure of tolerance. Pike v. Dickson, 323 F.2d 856, 857 (9th Cir.1963).