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LOCAL RULES - CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
(a) A prisoner under a judgment of death may file a petition for
writ of habeas corpus or a request for appointment of counsel.
Such filings shall be made in the Western Division (Los
Angeles) of the Central District. Upon such filing, the case
shall be randomly assigned to a district judge through the
district-wide Death Penalty Assignment Wheel. After filing
and assignment, the matter shall be immediately referred to the
Capital Case Committee for the appointment of counsel.
(b) Petitions shall be submitted on a form supplied by the Clerk of
Court, filled in by printing or typewriting, or as a legible
typewritten document which contains all of the information
required by that form. All petitions or requests for appointment
of counsel: (i) shall state whether the petitioner has previously
sought habeas relief arising out of the same matter from this
court or any other federal court, together with a copy of the
ruling; and (ii) shall clearly identify in the caption any
scheduled execution date. Any petition exceeding ten (10)
pages in length, excluding exhibits, shall be accompanied by an
indexed table of contents setting forth the headings or
subheadings contained in the body thereof.
(c) A pro se petitioner need only file the original of the petition. If
the petitioner is represented by counsel, counsel for the
petitioner shall file the petition in accordance with L.R. 5-4.
No filing fee is required.
(d) If the petitioner is not represented by counsel, the Clerk of
Court shall immediately serve the California Attorney
General’s Office by mail, e-mail or fax when an initial filing is
received by the Court.
(e) When a petition or request for appointment of counsel is filed
by a petitioner who was convicted outside of this district, the
Clerk of the Court shall immediately advise the Clerk of the
Court of the district in which the petitioner was convicted, and
prepare a stay and transfer order for signature of a district court
judge.
6/1/2026 Chapter I - 132
LOCAL RULES - CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
