A writ of habeas corpus is a limited remedy whereby a person may attempt to challenge the legal basis for continuing to hold him or her in custody. If the application for a writ is not summarily denied for failing to state a valid basis for relief, then the judge will order a hearing to decide the matter.
The writ of habeas corpus is the great remedy of the citizen or subject against arbitrary or illegal imprisonment; it is the mode by which the judicial power speedily and effectually protects the personal liberty of every individual, and repels the injustice of unconstitutional laws and despotic governments.
A writ of habeas corpus orders the custodian of an individual in custody to produce the individual before the court to make an inquiry concerning his or her detention, to appear for prosecution (ad prosequendum) or to appear to testify (ad testificandum).
After the Writ of Habeas Corpus is filed, the Court has a few options. The Court may deny the Writ, the Court may request that the government submit a response to the Writ, or the Court may grant the Writ.
(1) The petitioner may appeal the decision of the superior court denying relief on a successive death penalty-related habeas corpus petition only if the superior court or the Court of Appeal grants a certificate of appealability under Penal Code section 1509.1(c).
The denial of a petition becomes final immediately if the Court of Appeal has not previously issued an alternative writ or order to show cause. (Cal. Rules of Ct., rule 8.264(a)(2)(A).) That means that a petition for review from summary denial of a petition for writ of habeas corpus must be filed within ten days.
If the Court of Appeal denies the writ petition, counsel may seek relief in the California Supreme Court. However, following a summary denial of the writ petition in the Court of Appeal, the petitioner has only ten (10) days in which to seek such relief. (Cal. Rules of Court, rules 8.490(b)(1)(A), 8.500(e)(1).)
What If the Petition is Denied? Suppose the court finds in favor of the government and denies your habeas corpus petition. In that case, you may still have alternative legal recourse before all remedies are exhausted—namely, you can file a similar habeas corpus petition in federal court.
State every ground (reason) that supports your claim that you are being held in violation of the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States. Attach additional pages if you have more than four grounds. State the facts supporting each ground. Any legal arguments must be submitted in a separate memorandum.
State every ground (reason) that supports your claim that you are being held in violation of the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States. Attach additional pages if you have more than four grounds. State the facts supporting each ground. Any legal arguments must be submitted in a separate memorandum.