(a) Return
(1) Any return must be served and filed within 45 days after the court issues the order to show cause, or a later date if the court so orders.
(2) The formatting of the return and any supporting documents must comply with the applicable requirements for petitions in rule 4.571(a) and (b). The filing of the return and any supporting documents must comply with the requirements for petitions in rule 4.571(c)(1) and (2).
(3) A copy of the return and any supporting documents must be served on the petitioner and on any assisting entity or counsel. If the return is served in paper form, two copies must be served on the petitioner.
(4) Any material allegation of the petition not controverted by the return is deemed admitted for purposes of the proceeding.
(b) Denial
(1) Unless the court orders otherwise, within 30 days after the return is filed, or a later date if the court so orders, the petitioner may serve and file a denial.
(2) The formatting of the denial and any supporting documents must comply with the applicable requirements for petitions in rule 4.571(a) and (b). The filing of the denial and any supporting documents must comply with the requirements for petitions in rule 4.571(c)(1) and (2).
(3) A copy of the denial and any supporting documents must be served on the district attorney, the Attorney General, and on any assisting entity or counsel.
(4) Any material allegation of the return not controverted in the denial is deemed admitted for purposes of the proceeding.
(Subd (b) amended effective September 1, 2021.)
(c) Ruling on the petition
Within 60 days after filing of the denial, or if none is filed, after the expiration of the deadline for filing the denial under (b)(1), the court must either grant or deny the relief sought by the petition or set an evidentiary hearing.
(d) Evidentiary hearing
(1) An evidentiary hearing is required if, after considering the verified petition, the return, any denial, any affidavits or declarations under penalty of perjury, exhibits, and matters of which judicial notice may be taken, the court finds there is a reasonable likelihood that the petitioner may be entitled to relief and the petitioner's entitlement to relief depends on the resolution of an issue of fact.
(2) The court must assign a court reporter who uses computer-aided transcription equipment to report all proceedings under this subdivision.
(A) All proceedings under this subdivision, whether in open court, in conference in the courtroom, or in chambers, must be conducted on the record with a court reporter present. The court reporter must prepare and certify a daily transcript of all proceedings.
(B) Any computer-readable transcript produced by court reporters under this subdivision must conform to the requirements of Code of Civil Procedure section 271.
(3) Rule 3.1306(c) governs judicial notice.
(e) Additional briefing
The court may order additional briefing during or following the evidentiary hearing.
(f) Submission of cause
For purposes of article VI, section 19, of the California Constitution, a death penalty-related habeas corpus proceeding is submitted for decision at the conclusion of the evidentiary hearing, if one is held. If there is supplemental briefing after the conclusion of the evidentiary hearing, the matter is submitted when all supplemental briefing is filed with the court.
(g) Extension of deadlines
On motion of any party or on the court's own motion, for good cause stated in the order, the court may extend the time for a party to perform any act under this rule. If a party requests extension of a deadline in this rule, the party must explain the additional work required to meet the deadline.
Rule 4.574 amended effective September 1, 2021; adopted effective April 25, 2019.