Section 190.6 Of Chapter 1. Homicide From California Penal Code >> Title 8. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 1.
190.6
. (a) The Legislature finds that the sentence in all capital
cases should be imposed expeditiously.
(b) Therefore, in all cases in which a sentence of death has been
imposed on or after January 1, 1997, the opening appellate brief in
the appeal to the State Supreme Court shall be filed no later than
seven months after the certification of the record for completeness
under subdivision (d) of Section 190.8 or receipt by the appellant's
counsel of the completed record, whichever is later, except for good
cause. However, in those cases where the trial transcript exceeds
10,000 pages, the briefing shall be completed within the time limits
and pursuant to the procedures set by the rules of court adopted by
the Judicial Council.
(c) In all cases in which a sentence of death has been imposed on
or after January 1, 1997, it is the Legislature's goal that the
appeal be decided and an opinion reaching the merits be filed within
210 days of the completion of the briefing. However, where the appeal
and a petition for writ of habeas corpus is heard at the same time,
the petition should be decided and an opinion reaching the merits
should be filed within 210 days of the completion of the briefing for
the petition.
(d) The failure of the parties or the Supreme Court to meet or
comply with the time limit provided by this section shall not be a
ground for granting relief from a judgment of conviction or sentence
of death.