WSR 23-23-097

RULES OF COURT

STATE SUPREME COURT

[November 9, 2023]

Justice Barbara A. Madsen and Justice Sheryl Gordon McCloud, having recommended the adoption of the proposed amendments to Rule of Appellate Procedure (RAP) 16.5—Personal Restraint Petition—Where to Seek Relief, RAP 16.11—Personal Restraint Petition—Consideration of Petition, and RAP 16.13—Personal Restraint Petition—Procedure After Reference Hearing, and the Court having considered the proposed amendments, and having determined that the proposed amendments will aid in the prompt and orderly administration of justice;

Now, therefore, it is hereby

(a) That the proposed amendments as shown below are adopted.

(b) That pursuant to the emergency provisions of GR 9 (j)(1), the proposed amendments will be expeditiously published in the Washington Reports and will become effective upon publication.

dated at Olympia, Washington this 9th day of November, 2023.

(a) Court of Appeals. A personal restraint petition should be filed in the Court of Appeals, unless the petition is subject to subsection (b). A petition seeking review of a pretrial detention order under RCW 10.21.040 shall be filed in the Court of Appeals.

(b) Supreme Court. A personal restraint petition filed by a person under sentence of death shall be filed in the Supreme Court. See RAP 16.3(c).

(c) A personal restraint petition may be transferred by the court in which it is filed. The transfer of a personal restraint petition between the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals shall not be subject to a motion to reconsider or, if the transfer is ordered by the clerk of the court, a motion to modify.

(d) If a petition filed in the Supreme Court is not transferred to the Court of Appeals, or has been transferred from the Court of Appeals to the Supreme Court, the determinations ordinarily made by the "Chief Judge" under rules 16.11 and 16.13 may be made by a commissioner.

RCW 7.36, Habeas Corpus.

[Adopted effective July 1, 1976; Amended effective April 16, 2002; September 1, 2014.]

(a) Generally. The Chief Judge will consider the petition promptly after the time has expired to file petitioner's reply brief. The Chief Judge determines at the initial consideration if the petition will be retained by the appellate court for determination on the merits or transferred to a superior court for determination on the merits or for a reference hearing. Review of a detention order issued pursuant to RCW 10.21.040 shall be expedited. For the purpose of rules in this Title 16, "Chief Judge" includes "Acting Chief Judge."

(b) Determination by Appellate Court. The Chief Judge determines at the initial consideration of the petition the steps necessary to properly decide on the merits the issues raised by the petition. If, after consideration of the response and any reply, the Chief Judge determines that the issues presented are frivolous, the Chief Judge will dismiss the petition. If the petition is not frivolous and can be determined solely on the record, the Chief Judge will refer the petition to a panel of judges for determination on the merits. If the petition cannot be determined solely on the record, the Chief Judge will transfer the petition to a superior court for a determination on the merits or for a reference hearing. If a petitioner is subject to a pretrial detention order, the hearing must be expedited pursuant to RCW 10.21.040. The Chief Judge may enter other orders necessary to obtain a prompt determination of the petition on the merits.

(c) Oral Argument. Decisions of the Chief Judge will be made without oral argument. If a petition is to be decided on the merits by a panel of judges, the appellate court clerk will set the petition for consideration by the panel of judges, with or without oral argument. If oral argument is directed, the clerk will notify the parties of the date set for oral argument.

[Adopted effective July 1, 1976; Amended effective January 1, 1977; September 1, 1998; September 1, 2014.]

After a reference hearing and the findings of fact and appellate court files have been returned to the appellate court, the Chief Judge will dismiss the petition if the issues presented are frivolous. If the petition is not frivolous, the Chief Judge will refer the petition to a panel of judges for determination on the merits. Review of a detention order issued pursuant to RCW 10.21.040 shall be expedited. The appellate court may, on motion of a party, order the preparation of and transmittal to the appellate court of a part or all of the record of the reference proceeding. The appellate court order will define at whose expense the record is prepared. The record will be prepared at public expense where the petitioner is indigent, as set forth in rule 16.15(h). Oral argument is governed by rule 16.11(c).

[Adopted effective July 1, 1976; Amended effective July 2, 1976; September 1, 2014.]