C.D. Cal. L.R. 83-17.3

(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.