Section 68661 Of Chapter 2.3. California Habeas Corpus Resource Center From California Government Code >> Title 8. >> Chapter 2.3.
68661
. There is hereby created in the judicial branch of state
government the California Habeas Corpus Resource Center, which shall
have all of the following general powers and duties:
(a) To employ up to 34 attorneys who may be appointed by the
Supreme Court to represent any person convicted and sentenced to
death in this state who is without counsel, and who is determined by
a court of competent jurisdiction to be indigent, for the purpose of
instituting and prosecuting postconviction actions in the state and
federal courts, challenging the legality of the judgment or sentence
imposed against that person, and preparing petitions for executive
clemency. An appointment may be concurrent with the appointment of
the State Public Defender or other counsel for purposes of direct
appeal under Section 11 of Article VI of the California Constitution.
(b) To seek reimbursement for representation and expenses pursuant
to Section 3006A of Title 18 of the United States Code when
providing representation to indigent persons in the federal courts
and process those payments via the Federal Trust Fund.
(c) To work with the Supreme Court in recruiting members of the
private bar to accept death penalty habeas corpus case appointments.
(d) To establish and periodically update a roster of attorneys
qualified as counsel in postconviction proceedings in capital cases.
(e) To establish and periodically update a roster of experienced
investigators and experts who are qualified to assist counsel in
postconviction proceedings in capital cases.
(f) To employ investigators and experts as staff to provide
services to appointed counsel upon request of counsel, provided that
when the provision of those services is to private counsel under
appointment by the Supreme Court, those services shall be pursuant to
contract between appointed counsel and the center.
(g) To provide legal or other advice or, to the extent not
otherwise available, any other assistance to appointed counsel in
postconviction proceedings as is appropriate when not prohibited by
law.
(h) To develop a brief bank of pleadings and related materials on
significant, recurring issues that arise in postconviction
proceedings in capital cases and to make those briefs available to
appointed counsel.
(i) To evaluate cases and recommend assignment by the court of
appropriate attorneys.
(j) To provide assistance and case progress monitoring as needed.
(k) To timely review case billings and recommend compensation of
members of the private bar to the court.
(l) The center shall report annually to the Legislature, the
Governor, and the Supreme Court on the status of the appointment of
counsel for indigent persons in postconviction capital cases, and on
the operations of the center. On or before January 1, 2000, the
Legislative Analyst's Office shall evaluate the available reports.