Carmony v. Mayberg et al

Filing 20

ORDER and FINDINGS and RECOMMENDATIONS signed by Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Bommer on 10/7/2010. It is ordered that petitioner's Requests for Order to Show Cause and Judicial Notice be DENIED; and RECOMMENDED that petitioner's 1 Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus and remaining Requests be denied. Within 21 days after being served with these F/Rs, any party may file written Objections with Court and serve a copy on all parties. (Marciel, M)

(HC) Carmony v. Mayberg, et al

Doc. 20

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 vs. STEPHEN MAYBERG, Director, DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, and NORMAL KRAMER, Executive Director, Coalinga State Hospital, Respondents. / I. INTRODUCTION Petitioner Harold E. Carmony proceeds pro se with a petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. Petitioner challenges his 2005 civil recommitment as a sexually violent predator (SVP) under California's Sexually Violent Predator Act (SVPA). CAL. WELF. & IN ST . CODE §§ 6600 et seq. For the following reasons, (1) it is recommended that the petition and other miscellaneous requests be denied; and (2) Petitioner's requests for an order to show cause and judicial notice are denied. II. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY The record reflects the following chronology of relevant proceedings: 1
Dockets.Justia.com

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA HAROLD E. CARMONY, Petitioner, No. CIV S-07-2793-FCD-TJB

ORDER, FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

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1.

On March 26, 1982, Petitioner was convicted of various sexual offenses, including multiple violations of Section 288a of the California Penal Code, a sexually violent, predatory offense within the meaning of Sections 6600(b) and 6600.1 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code. Lodged Doc. 12, at 2.1 Petitioner's victims were four adolescent boys, aged eleven, thirteen, and fifteen. Id. The Sacramento County Superior Court found Petitioner was not a mentally disordered sex offender, and ultimately sentenced him to state prison for a term of thirty-four years and four months. Id.

2.

On May 3, 2000, the Superior Court sustained a petition to commit Petitioner to the California Department of Mental Health (DMH) as an SVP. Lodged Doc. 4, at 2.2 The California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, affirmed. Id.; see People v. Carmony, 99 Cal. App. 4th 317, 328, 120 Cal. Rptr. 2d 896 (2002), review denied, 2002 Cal. LEXIS 5945, at *1 (Cal. Aug. 28, 2002).3

3.

On April 12, 2002, the first petition to recommit Petitioner from May 2002 to May 2004 was filed. Lodged Doc. 4, at 3. "A probable cause hearing was held on May 1, June 17, and June 18, 2002." Id.

These facts are from the California Court of Appeal's opinion issued on June 13, 2002. See Lodged Doc. 12, at 2. Pursuant to the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, a determination of fact by the state court is presumed to be correct unless Petitioner rebuts that presumption with clear and convincing evidence. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(e)(1); see Moses v. Payne, 555 F.3d 742, 746 n.1 (9th Cir. 2009); Davis v. Woodford, 384 F.3d 628, 638 (9th Cir. 2004). These facts are from the California Court of Appeal's opinion issued on January 4, 2007. See supra n.1. Petitioner challenged his 2000 civil commitment in a previous federal habeas petition filed on May 5, 2003. Carmony v. Hunter, No. CIV S-03-0927-DFL-JFM, 2006 WL 3762110, at *1 (E.D. Cal. Dec. 20, 2006). On December 20, 2006, it was recommended that the petition be denied. See id. at 16. On October 1, 2007, the district court adopted the findings and recommendations in full. Carmony v. Hunter, No. CIV S-03-0927-RRB-JFM, 2007 WL 2904090, at *1 (E.D. Cal. Oct. 1, 2007). On March 14, 2008, the district court denied issuing a Certificate of Appealability. Carmony v. Hunter, No. CIV S-03-0927-RRB-JFM, 2008 WL 744234, at *1 (E.D. Cal. Mar. 17, 2008). 2
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4.

On June 28, 2002, the Superior Court found probable cause to recommit Petitioner as an SVP. Id. Trial on the first recommitment petition was set for September 23, 2002. Id. "For reasons not reflected on the record, the trial date was continued to January 27, 2003." Id.

5.

On January 27, 2003, by agreement of the parties, the trial date for the first recommitment petition was vacated and reset to June 26, 2003. Id.

6.

On June 26, 2003, the trial date for the first recommitment petition was rescheduled to the following day, when the trial was set for October 28, 2003. Id.

7.

On October 28, 2003, the trial date for the first recommitment petition was vacated and reset to March 2, 2004. Id.

8.

On January 22, 2004, the second petition to recommit Petitioner from May 2004 to May 2006 was filed. Id.

9.

On January 23, 2004, a probable cause hearing on the second recommitment petition was set for February 17, 2004. Id.

10. On February 17, 2004, the probable cause hearing on the second recommitment petition was continued to April 2, 2004, which was the next available date for defense counsel and an evaluator. Id. 11. On March 2, 2004, the trial date for the first recommitment petition was vacated and reset to April 2, 2004, to join with the probable cause hearing on the second recommitment petition. Id. 12. On April 2, 2004, a probable cause hearing for the second recommitment petition was commenced, but it was not concluded because a prosecution witness was testifying in another case. Id. at 3-4. "At the conclusion of testimony that day, the parties agreed to coordinate their schedules and advise the court of the next date they would be available to continue the probable cause hearing." Id. at 4. "Although the trial of the first recommitment petition was set for that same date, neither the parties 3

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nor the court addressed it." Id. 13. On July 27, 2004, the probable cause hearing for the second recommitment petition resumed. Id. "At the conclusion of the hearing, the Superior Court determined that probable cause existed." Id. "In consideration of both counsels' trial and personal schedules, the trial on the second recommitment petition was set for January 4, 2005." Id. 14. Dated September 1, 2004, Petitioner's first habeas petition, No. 04F08151, relevant to this proceeding was filed in the Sacramento County Superior Court. See Lodged Docs. 15-17. In this petition, Petitioner "challenge[d] having future mental health examinations that do not meet the Civil Discovery Act of 1986, as well as the use of prior mental health examinations in the extension proceeding in Case No. CR 61422." Lodged Docs. 16-17; see Lodged Doc. 15, at 3-4.1. 15. Dated September 8, 2004, Petitioner's second habeas petition, No. 04F08383, relevant to this proceeding was filed in the Sacramento County Superior Court. See Lodged Doc. 17. In this petition, Petitioner challenged: (1) "[t]he vagueness of the SVP Act which gives no guidance as to when the trial must take place;" and (2) the "delaying of trial." Id. at 3-4. 16. In an order dated October 12, 2004, the Superior Court denied Petititioner's first and second habeas petitions. See Lodged Docs. 16-17. The Superior Court found that Petitioner raised issues "that could be addressed and raised by petitioner's counsel in Case No. CR 61422, and not by petitioner . . . ." Id. 17. On October 27, 2004, Petitioner filed his third habeas petition, No. 04F09535, relevant to this proceeding, in the Sacramento County Superior Court. See Lodged Doc. 13. Petitioner argued that: (1) "[t]he trial court does not have statutory authority to join SVP proceedings" in Case No. CR 61422, violating his due process rights; and (2) "[t]he court lacks jurisdiction to accept a new SVP petition." 4

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Id. at 3-4. 18. In an order dated November 3, 2004, the Superior Court denied Petitioner's third habeas petition. See Lodged Doc. 14. The Superior Court determined, again, that Petitioner raised issues "that could be addressed and raised by petitioner's counsel in Case No. CR61422, and not by petitioner . . . ." Id. 19. On December 28, 2004, Petitioner filed a habeas petition in the California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District. See Lodged Doc. 10. Petitioner raised eleven grounds for relief, including: (1) his "Constitutional Right to petition the courts," (2) violations of the Civil Discovery Act of 1986, "United States and California Constitutions," in that Petitioner was not afforded protections "when seeking a mental evaluation;" (3) failure to receive proper notice so he "could object to the mental examination or to limit its scope," violating his due process rights; (4) use of "old information[] to make a current diagnosis, violating his due process rights "to a fair and impartial hearing;" (5) "vagueness of the [SVPA];" (6) failure to "balanc[e] . . . process due;" (7) "[d]elaying of trial;" (8) joining an SVP proceeding "with another civil commitment," thereby violating due process; (9) violations of due process and equal protection because "all . . . long term commitments in California have a clear time frame within which the trial must take place EXCEPT for the SVPA;" (10) joinders "are not acceptable remedies for late trials;" and (11) lack of jurisdiction "to accept a new petition for recommitment." Id. at iii-xiii. 20. On January 4, 2005, the trial on the second recommitment petition was continued for two days because the prosecutor was ill. Lodged Doc. 4, at 4. 21. On January 6, 2005, the trial on the second recommitment petition was continued to January 10, 2005. Id. Also on January 6, 2005, the California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, summarily denied Petitioner's appeal for habeas relief. See Lodged Doc. 11. 5

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22. On January 10, 2005, the Superior Court granted the State's motion to consolidate the trials on the two recommitment petitions and denied Petitioner's motion for separate trials. Lodged Doc. 4, at 4. The Superior Court acknowledged Petitioner's claim that he "has been objecting to continuances," but stated that it "has reviewed the court's files over the matter and finds in the files no specific objection by [Petitioner] to the continuances on the specific grounds of unreasonable delay or denial of speedy resolution." Id. (internal quotation marks omitted). The Superior Court distinguished this case from Litmon v. Superior Court, 123 Cal. App. 4th 1156, 1176-77, 21 Cal. Rptr. 3d 21 (2004), in which the SVP specifically objected to the delay, and in which a further delay was granted solely to accommodate consolidation. Lodged Doc. 4, at 4. 23. "In January 2005, a jury found true the allegation that, by reason of a diagnosed mental disorder, Petitioner is an SVP who is a danger to the health and safety of others because he is likely to engage in sexually violent predatory criminal behavior if released." Id. at 1. "Based on the jury finding, Petitioner's commitment to the DMH was extended to May 2006." Id. at 1-2. 24. On October 5, 2005, Petitioner filed a habeas petition in the California Supreme Court. See Lodged Docs. 8A-8D. Petitioner raised the same eleven grounds for relief as raised in the Court of Appeal. See Lodged Doc. 8A, at iii-xiii. 25. On November 8, 2005, Petitioner directly appealed his recommitment to the California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District. See Lodged Doc. 1. Petitioner alleged that: (1) "the consolidation of two recommitment petitions, after the previous commitment under the Sexually Violent Predator Act had expired, violated [Petitioner's] due process rights;" and (2) there was insufficient evidence to support the jury verdict that he was likely to reoffend. Id. at ii. 26. On June 7, 2006, Respondents filed a response to Petitioner's appeal on his 6

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recommitment, see Lodged Doc. 2, and Petitioner filed a reply on August 1, 2006. See Lodged Doc. 3. 27. On December 14, 2005, the California Supreme Court denied the habeas petition without a written opinion, only citing In re Robbins, 18 Cal. 4th 770, 780, 77 Cal. Rptr. 2d 153, 959 P.2d 311 (1998), In re Clark, 5 Cal. 4th 750, 21 Cal. Rptr. 2d 509, 855 P.2d 729 (1993), and In re Dixon, 41 Cal. 2d 756, 264 P.2d 513 (1953). Lodged Doc. 9. 28. On January 4, 2007, the Court of Appeal issued a reasoned opinion affirming the recommitment. See Lodged Doc. 4. 29. In his petition for review dated February 14, 2007, Petitioner directly appealed his recommitment in the California Supreme Court. See Lodged Doc. 5. Petitioner also filed an Application and Declaration of Counsel in Support of Relief from Default, dated February 14, 2007. See Lodged Doc. 6. In his application, Petitioner asked the Supreme Court "to grant relief from default from the failure to timely file his Petition for Review." Id. at 1. Petitioner acknowledged that any petition for review was "due for filing between February 3 and 13, 2007," and "it was counsel's inadvertence that he failed to calendar the due dates on his office calendar." Id. at 2. 30. In a letter dated February 15, 2007, the California Supreme Court denied Petitioner's application for relief from default and directed that the petition for review be returned to Petitioner. See Lodged Doc. 7. 31. On December 27, 2007, Petitioner filed the instant federal habeas petition. 32. Respondents filed an answer to the petition on June 6, 2008, to which Petitioner filed a traverse on June 26, 2008. III. APPLICABLE LAW FOR FEDERAL HABEAS CORPUS An application for writ of habeas corpus by a person in custody under judgment of a state court can be granted only for violations of the Constitution or laws of the United States. 28 7

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U.S.C. § 2254(a); see also Peltier v. Wright, 15 F.3d 860, 861 (9th Cir. 1993); Middleton v. Cupp, 768 F.2d 1083, 1085 (9th Cir. 1985) (citing Engle v. Isaac, 456 U.S. 107, 119 (1982)). This petition for writ of habeas corpus was filed after the effective date of, and thus is subject to, the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 ("AEDPA"). Lindh v. Murphy, 521 U.S. 320, 326 (1997); see also Weaver v. Thompson, 197 F.3d 359, 362 (9th Cir. 1999). Under AEDPA, federal habeas corpus relief also is not available for any claim decided on the merits in state court proceedings unless the state court's adjudication of the claim: (1) resulted in a decision that was contrary to, or involved an unreasonable application of, clearly established Federal law, as determined by the Supreme Court of the United States; or (2) resulted in a decision that was based on an unreasonable determination of the facts in light of the evidence presented in the State court proceeding. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d); see also Penry v. Johnson, 532 U.S. 782, 792-93 (2001); Williams v. Taylor, 529 U.S. 362, 402-03 (2000); Lockhart v. Terhune, 250 F.3d 1223, 1229 (9th Cir. 2001). In applying AEDPA's standards, the federal court must "identify the state court decision that is appropriate for our review." Barker v. Fleming, 423 F.3d 1085, 1091 (9th Cir. 2005). Where more than one state court has adjudicated a petitioner's claims, a federal habeas court analyzes the last reasoned decision. Id. (citing Ylst v. Nunnemaker, 501 U.S. 797, 803 (1991) (finding presumption that later unexplained orders, upholding judgment or rejecting same claim, rests upon same ground as prior order)). Thus, a federal habeas court looks through ambiguous or unexplained state court decisions to the last reasoned decision to determine whether that decision was contrary to or an unreasonable application of clearly established federal law. Bailey v. Rae, 339 F.3d 1107, 1112-13 (9th Cir. 2003). "The question under AEDPA is not whether a federal court believes the state court's determination was incorrect but whether that determination was unreasonable-a substantially higher threshold." Schriro v. Landrigan, 550 U.S. 465, 473 (2007) (citing Williams v. Taylor, 529 U.S. 362, 410 (2000)). When no state court reached the merits of a claim, the federal court must review that claim de novo. See Chaker v. 8

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Crogan, 428 F.3d 1215, 1221 (9th Cir. 2005), cert. denied, 547 U.S. 1128 (2006) (applying de novo standard of review to claim in habeas petition that was not adjudicated on merits by state court); Lewis v. Mayle, 391 F.3d 989, 996 (9th Cir. 2004) (same); Pirtle v. Morgan, 313 F.3d 1160, 1167 (9th Cir. 2002) ("[W]hen it is clear that a state court has not reached the merits of a properly raised issue, we must review it de novo."). IV. CLAIMS FOR REVIEW Petitioner raises: (1) seven grounds for relief; (2) a request for an order to show cause; (3) a request for judicial notice; and (4) other miscellaneous requests. Petitioner's seven grounds for relief include the following: 1. "California denies indigent pro se litigants with appointed trial counsel the constitutional right to redress their grievances through habeas corpus until after all trial and appeal proceedings are completed." Pet'r's Supplemental Pet. 3, ECF No. 2 (emphasis omitted). 2. "The [s]tate evaluators and the D.A. ignored the ground rules set up by the Civil Discovery Act (CDA), [Code of Civil Procedure §§ 2016 through 2036] as well as the SVPA," thereby denying "Petitioner his right to due process under both the United States and California Constitutions." Pet'r's Pet. 5, ECF No. 1. 3. "The vagueness of the California SVPA statute does not delineate when a trial must take place." Pet'r's Supplemental Pet. 3 (emphasis omitted). 4. "The lengthy delays California permits in bringing Petitioner to trial for a civil commitment determination violates Petitioner's constitutional due process of law rights under both the United States and California Constitutions." Id. 5. "SVPA Civil Commitment Hearing[s] . . . may not be joined with another civil commitment," violating Petitioner's due process rights. Id. 6. "The court lacked jurisdiction to accept a new petition for recommitment" because "[b]y the time the second petition for recommitment was filed[,] this Petitioner's 9

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original commitment had expired and he was being held by a petition to recommit . . . ." Pet'r's Pet. 7. 7. "[T]here was insufficient evidence of a current mental disorder to support a finding that Petitioner was a current danger and likely to commit a predatory violent criminal offense if released." Pet'r's Supplemental Pet. 4. A. Procedural Default Respondents contend that Petitioner procedurally defaulted all seven grounds raised in the instant habeas petition. See Resp'ts' Answer 8, ECF No. 15. Respondents maintain that "[e]xhaustion and procedural default must be addressed as a preliminary matter." Id. at 13. Respondents allege "there remains no available state remedy and Petitioner's claims have thereby satisfied the exhaustion requirement." Id. at 14. However, Respondents argue that the following procedural defaults bar Petitioner's claims: 1. Untimeliness applies to claims six and seven.4 Id. ("Claims six and seven . . . were

The record reveals that Petitioner's seven grounds for relief were raised at the following

1. Ground one (right to petition) was raised in Petitioner's habeas petitions to the Superior Court, California Court of Appeal, and California Supreme Court. See Lodged Doc. 8A, at iii (California Supreme Court habeas petition); Lodged Doc. 10, at iii (Court of Appeal habeas petition); Lodged Doc. 13, at 20 (asking Superior Court, in third habeas petition, to "issue a writ of habeas corpus); Lodged Doc. 15, at 12 (same request in first Superior Court habeas petition); Lodged Doc. 17, at 17 (same request in second Superior Court habeas petition); see also Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972) (requiring district courts to liberally construe pro se petition). 2. Ground two (Civil Discovery Act and SVPA violations) was raised in Petitioner's habeas petitions to the Superior Court, California Court of Appeal, and California Supreme Court. See Lodged Doc. 8A, at iv (California Supreme Court habeas petition); Lodged Doc. 10, at iv (Court of Appeal habeas petition); Lodged Doc. 15, at 3-4.1, (1)-(4), 1.-11. (raising in first Superior Court habeas petition, inter alia, "[v]iolations of [s]tatutory [l]aw (Civil Discovery Act of 1986)" and "statutory violations in the evaluation process"); see also Haines, 404 U.S. at 520. 3. Ground three (vagueness) was raised in Petitioner's habeas petitions to the Superior Court, California Court of Appeal, and California Supreme Court. See Lodged Doc. 8A, at vii (California Supreme Court habeas petition); Lodged Doc. 10, at vii (Court of 10

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raised on direct review, but . . . were presented to the California Supreme Court in an untimely petition."). 2. Waiver under In re Dixon, 41 Cal. 2d 756, 264 P.2d 513 (1953), applies to claims one through five.5 Resp'ts' Answer 14 ("Claims one through five . . . were not presented on direct review . . . ."); see Park v. California, 202 F.3d 1146, 1151 (9th Cir. 2000) ("In California, a convicted defendant desiring to bring claims in a state habeas Appeal habeas petition); Lodged Doc. 17, at 3 (second Superior Court habeas petition).

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Thus, claims five and seven, and not claims six and seven as Respondents assert, were the grounds that Petitioner attempted to raise on direct review. See supra n.4. Respondents, therefore, probably mean that claims five and seven, and not claims six and seven, are procedurally barred by untimeliness. See supra n.4. Claims one, two, three, four, and six were not presented on direct review. See supra n.4. Thus, Respondents probably mean that these claims are procedurally barred by waiver under In re Dixon, 41 Cal. 2d 756, 264 P.2d 513 (1953). See supra n.4. 11
5

4. Ground four (trial delay) was raised in Petitioner's habeas petitions to the Superior Court, California Court of Appeal, and California Supreme Court. See Lodged Doc. 8A, at ix (California Supreme Court habeas petition); Lodged Doc. 10, at ix (Court of Appeal habeas petition); Lodged Doc. 17, at 4 (second Superior Court habeas petition). 5. Ground five (trial consolidation) was raised in Petitioner's habeas petitions to the Superior Court, California Court of Appeal and California Supreme Court. See Lodged Doc. 8A, at x, xii (California Supreme Court habeas petition); Lodged Doc. 10, at x, xii (Court of Appeal habeas petition); Lodged Doc. 13, at 3 (third Superior Court habeas petition). Ground five was also raised on direct appeal to the Court of Appeal and California Supreme Court. See Lodged Doc. 1, at ii (Court of Appeal direct appeal); Lodged Doc. 5, at i (California Supreme Court direct appeal). 6. Ground six (jurisdiction) was raised in Petitioner's habeas petitions to the Superior Court, California Court of Appeal, and California Supreme Court. See Lodged Doc. 8A, at xiii (California Supreme Court habeas petition); Lodged Doc. 10, at xiii (Court of Appeal habeas petition); Lodged Doc. 13, at 4 (third Superior Court habeas petition). Arguably, ground six was also raised on direct appeal to the Court of Appeal, see Lodged Doc. 1, at 25-26 (asserting, in Petitioner's opening brief to California Court of Appeal, that "[t]he delay and resulting lack of a valid commitment to extend could not be remedied by the filing of a subsequent petition to recommit"), but not on direct appeal to the California Supreme Court. See Lodged Doc. 5, at 22-27 (California Supreme Court direct appeal). 7. Ground seven (insufficient evidence) was raised on direct appeal to the California Court of Appeal and California Supreme Court. See Lodged Doc. 1, at ii (Court of Appeal direct appeal); Lodged Doc. 5, at ii (California Supreme Court direct appeal).

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petition, must, if possible, have pursued the claims on direct appeal from his conviction. . . . This requirement is called the Dixon rule.). 3. The successive petition rule applies to claims one through five.6 Resp'ts' Answer 14 ("Claims one through five . . . were presented in a piecemeal fashion via several state habeas petitions . . . ."); see In re Clark, 5 Cal. 4th at 769, 21 Cal. Rptr. 2d 509, 855 P.2d 729 ("It is the policy of this court to deny an application for habeas corpus which is based upon grounds urged in a prior petition which has been denied, where there is shown no change in the facts or the law substantially affecting the rights of the petitioner."). Federal courts "will not review a question of federal law decided by a state court if the decision of that court rests on a state law ground that is independent of the federal question and adequate to support the judgment." Coleman v. Thompson, 501 U.S. 722, 730 (1991); see Harris v. Reed, 489 U.S. 255, 260-62 (1989). "For a state procedural rule to be `independent,' the state law basis for the decision must not be interwoven with federal law." LaCrosse v. Kernan, 244 F.3d 702, 704 (9th Cir. 2001) (citing Michigan v. Long, 463 U.S. 1032, 1040-41 (1983)). For a state procedural rule to be "adequate," it must be "clear, consistently applied, and well-established." Calderon v. U.S. District Court (Bean), 96 F.3d 1126, 1129 (9th Cir. 1996), cert. denied, 520 U.S. 1204 (1997). Even if there is an independent and adequate state ground for the decision, the federal court may still consider the claim if the petitioner can demonstrate: (1) cause for the default and actual prejudice resulting from the alleged violation of federal law; or (2) a fundamental miscarriage of justice. See Harris, 489 U.S. at 262 (citing Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. 478, 485, 495 (1986)). Although a procedural bar issue in a habeas corpus proceeding ordinarily should be

Claims one through six were raised in the Superior Court through multiple habeas petitions. See supra n.4. Thus, Respondents probably mean that claims one through six are procedurally barred by the successive petition rule. See supra n.4. 12

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considered first, it is grounded in concerns of comity and federalism and is not jurisdictional. See Coleman, 501 U.S. at 730; see also Lambrix v. Singletary, 520 U.S. 518, 524-25 (1997). Thus, the procedural default issue may be bypassed in the interest of judicial economy whenever the merits are clear but the procedural default issues are not. See Lambrix, 520 U.S. at 525 ("We do not mean to suggest that the procedural-bar issue must invariably be resolved first [given constraints of judicial economy]; only that it ordinarily should be."); Franklin v. Johnson, 290 F.3d 1223, 1232 (9th Cir. 2002) ("Procedural bar issues are not infrequently more complex than the merits issues presented by the [habeas petition], so it may well make sense in some instances to proceed to the merits if the result will be the same."); see generally Petrocelli v. Angelone, 248 F.3d 877, 886 (9th Cir. 2001) ("Ninth Circuit case law on [procedural default] is complex."). For that reason, it is assumed that Petitioner's claims are not defaulted, and the merits of Petitioner's claim will be addressed. B. Merits of Petitioner's Claims Some of Petitioner's seven grounds for relief overlap. To the extent possible, the grounds resolved by binding authority are grouped together. Some grounds are referenced more than once as they refer to separate issues. The remaining grounds are reviewed in seriatim. Accordingly, Petitioner's grounds are addressed as follows: 1. Grounds One, Three, and Four: Trial Delay; 2. Ground One: Counsel's Failure to Make Objections; 3. Ground One: Violation of the Right to Petition for State Habeas Relief; 4. Ground Two: Violations of the California Civil Discovery Act and SVPA; 5. Ground Three: Vagueness; 6. Ground Five: Trial Consolidation; 7. Ground Six: Jurisdiction; and 8. Ground Seven: Insufficient Evidence. For the following reasons, Petitioner's grounds for relief are without merit. 13

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1. Grounds One, Three, and Four: Trial Delay In grounds one, three, and four, Petitioner's claims are understood as allegations that his trial delay violated his rights to (1) due process; (2) equal protection; and (3) a speedy trial. a. Due Process Claim In ground one, Petitioner alleges he was denied "his constitutional right to due process and access to the courts in a meaningful time and in a meaningful manner." Pet'r's Mem. 15, ECF No. 3. In ground three, Petitioner claims he was denied his due process rights because "the SVPA has no statutory time for when the (re)commitment trial must take place." Id. at 36. In ground four, Petitioner argues that "the delay in bringing petitioner to trial violated his constitutional right to due process of law." Pet'r's Pet. 6. i. Legal Standard for Due Process Claim The California Supreme Court in People v. Superior Court (Ghilotti), 27 Cal. 4th 888, 902-05, 119 Cal. Rptr. 2d 1, 44 P.3d 949 (2002), presents a detailed overview of the SVPA. CAL. WELF. & INST. CODE §§ 6600 et seq. That legislation, effective January 1, 1996, "provides for the involuntary civil commitment of certain offenders, following completion of their prison terms, who are found to be SVP's because they have previously been convicted of sexually violent crimes and currently suffer diagnosed mental disorders which make them dangerous in that they are likely to engage in sexually violent criminal behavior." Ghilotti, 27 Cal. 4th at 902, 119 Cal. Rptr. 2d 1, 44 P.3d 949; see CAL. WELF. & INST. CODE § 6600(a)(1). The SVPA codifies a process involving several administrative and judicial stages to determine whether a convicted sex offender meets the requirements for civil commitment. Generally, the Department of Corrections screens sex offender inmates at least six months before their scheduled release dates. CAL. WELF. & INST. CODE § 6601(a)(1). "If officials find the inmate is likely to be an SVP, he is referred to the Department . . . for a `full evaluation' as to whether he meets the criteria in section 6600." Ghilotti, 27 Cal. 4th at 903, 119 Cal. Rptr. 2d 1, 44 P.3d 949 (quoting Hubbart v. Superior Court, 19 Cal. 4th 1138, 1145, 81 Cal. Rptr. 2d 492, 14

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969 P.2d 584 (1999)). Using appropriate assessment protocols, if at least two practicing psychiatrists or psychologists designated by the Director of Mental Heath concur "that the person has a diagnosed mental disorder so that he or she is likely to engage in acts of sexual violence without appropriate treatment and custody, the Director shall forward a request for a [commitment] petition . . . to the county" where the offender was convicted of the predatory sex crime. CAL. WELF. & INST. CODE § 6601(b)-(d). If the county's legal counsel agrees with the request, a petition for commitment is filed in the Superior Court Id. § 6601(h)-(i). "The filing of the petition triggers a new round of proceedings" under the SVPA. Ghilotti, 27 Cal. 4th at 904, 119 Cal. Rptr. 2d 1, 44 P.3d 949 (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). First, the superior court holds a hearing, at which the alleged predator is entitled to assistance of counsel, to determine whether there is probable cause to believe that the individual is likely to engage in sexually violent, predatory criminal behavior after release. CAL. WELF. & INST. CODE § 6602(a). If the superior court determines that probable cause exists, the court must order the individual to remain in custody pending a civil commitment trial. Id.; see Carty v. Nelson, 426 F.3d 1064, 1066-67 (9th Cir.), amended, 431 F.3d 1185, 1186 (9th Cir. 2005) (changing "the San Diego County District Attorney contends" to "the State contends" (internal quotation marks omitted)), cert. denied, 547 U.S. 1130 (2006). At trial, the individual is entitled to "the assistance of counsel, to the right to retain experts or professional persons to perform an examination on his or her behalf, and to have access to all relevant medical and psychological records and reports." CAL. WELF. & INST. CODE § 6603(a). Either party may demand and receive trial by jury. Id. § 6603(a)-(b). The trier of fact "shall determine whether, beyond a reasonable doubt, the person is a sexually violent predator." Id. § 6604. "[W]here the requisite SVP findings are made, `the person shall be committed for two years to the custody of the . . . Department . . . for appropriate treatment and confinement in a secure facility . . . .'" Ghilotti, 27 Cal. 4th at 904, 119 Cal. Rptr. 2d 1, 44 P.3d 949 (citing CAL. 15

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WELF. & INST. CODE § 6604).7 Under the pre-2006 statutory revisions pertinent here and described in Ghilotti, any recommitment term "shall also be for two years." Id. at 905, 119 Cal. Rptr. 2d 1, 44 P.3d 949 (citing CAL. WELF. & INST. CODE § 6604.1(a)).8 The recommitment term "shall commence on the day the previous term expires," after implementing the same codified procedural safeguards accompanying the initial civil commitment proceedings. Id. Rejecting due process challenges to the SVPA, the Ninth Circuit held that California's SVPA is similar to the Kansas civil commitment statute upheld in Kansas v. Hendricks, 521 U.S. 346 (1997). See Hubbart v. Knapp, 379 F.3d 773, 781 (9th Cir. 2004). In Hendricks, the Supreme Court held that state civil commitment schemes must follow "proper procedures and evidentiary standards" and require proof of dangerousness to one's self or to others, coupled with proof of some additional factor such as a "mental illness" or "mental abnormality." 521 U.S. 346, 357-58 (1997). Procedural safeguards under the SVPA "include requirements that accused sexually violent predators receive diagnoses from two psychiatrists or psychologists, assistance of counsel, and trial by jury on proof beyond a reasonable doubt." Hubbart, 379 F.3d at 781. The Supreme Court rejected "that the State's use of procedural safeguards traditionally found in criminal trials makes the proceedings here criminal rather than civil." Hendricks, 521 U.S. at 364. ii. Analysis of Due Process Claim Here, the record does not show that Petitioner was denied any of these procedural protections. Petitioner was also accorded all procedural protections identified in Vitek v. Jones, 445 U.S. 480, 494-97 (1980), i.e., (1) written notice; (2) a hearing at which evidence is disclosed;

The SVPA was revised in 2006, modifying the predicate offense requirement so that a person only needs a conviction of a sexually violent offense against one or more victims, rather than two or more victims as previously defined. See CAL. WELF. & INST. CODE § 6600(a)(1). The 2006 revisions also provided for an indeterminate term of commitment upon an SVP finding rather than renewable two-year terms. Id. § 6604.
8

7

See supra n.7. 16

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(3) an opportunity to be heard; (4) an independent decision-maker; (5) reasoned findings; (6) access to counsel; and (7) effective and timely notice of these rights. See Carty, 426 F.3d at 1074. As Respondents point out, there is no clearly established Supreme Court precedent requiring that a trial occur within any set time period. Additionally, in the findings and recommendations for Petitioner's previous federal habeas petition, it was found that "California's SVPA provides no requirement for when the commitment trial must commence." Carmony v. Hunter, No. CIV S-03-0927-DFL-JFM, 2006 WL 3762110, at *13 (E.D. Cal. Dec. 20, 2006). Thus, Petitioner's due process claim fails. b. Equal Protection Claim In ground three, Petitioner argues that he was denied "equal protection" because "the SVPA has no statutory time for when the (re)commitment trial must take place." Pet'r's Mem. 35-36. Equal protection claims arise when a charge is made that similarly situated individuals are treated differently without a rational relationship to a legitimate state purpose. See San Antonio Sch. Dist. v. Rodriguez, 411 U.S. 1, 40 (1973). Because the SVPA's lack of time frame for a trial on a commitment application applies to everyone subject to the statute, Petitioner was not treated differently than anyone who is similarly situated (i.e., subject to the SVPA). Accordingly, Petitioner's equal protection claim fails. c. Speedy Trial Claim In ground one, Petitioner asserts that "California effectively denied Petitioner his constitutional right of habeas corpus . . . more than two years after the issues arose, not the speedy remedy intended." See Pet'r's Pet. 5. In ground three, Petitioner maintains that the Superior Court never inquired if Petitioner "was okay with the lengthy delays," and Petitioner "objected to the delays at every opportunity." Id. at 6. The speedy trial argument fails because no Supreme Court authority establishes the right to a speedy trial in civil commitment proceedings. See Allen v. Illinois, 478 U.S. 364, 371-72 (1986) (holding full panoply of rights afforded criminal defendants under Constitution are not 17

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applicable to civil commitment proceedings); see also United States v. Perry, 788 F.2d 100, 118 (3d Cir. 1986) ("The speedy trial clause deals with the timeliness of criminal prosecutions, not civil commitment proceedings."); see generally United States v. Budell, 187 F.3d 1137, 1141 (9th Cir. 1999) (noting because commitment hearing is civil matter, constitutional rights to which defendant in criminal trial is entitled do not adhere to commitment hearing); but see Atwood v. Vilsack, 338 F. Supp. 2d 985, 994 (S.D. Iowa 2004) (applying Sixth Amendment speedy trial right to analyze denial of speedy justice claim by pretrial detainees awaiting civil commitment hearings pursuant to Iowa's Sexually Violent Predator Act). However, even if the right to a speedy trial attached to civil commitment proceedings, Petitioner cannot demonstrate that he was deprived of a speedy trial. See Doggett v. United States, 505 U.S. 647, 651-52 (1992). i. Legal Standard for Speedy Trial Claim A speedy trial is a fundamental right for the accused, guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment and imposed by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment on the states. Klopfer v. North Carolina, 386 U.S. 213, 223 (1967). The Supreme Court has not devised a per se rule to determine whether the right to a speedy trial is violated. Instead, courts must apply a flexible functional analysis, and consider and weigh the following factors in evaluating a speedy trial claim: (1) length of the delay; (2) reason for the delay; (3) the petitioner's assertion of his right; and (4) prejudice to the petitioner. Doggett, 505 U.S. at 651; Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 530 (1972). None of the four factors are either a necessary or sufficient condition for finding a speedy trial deprivation. Barker, 407 U.S. at 533. They are related factors and must be considered together with other relevant circumstances. Id. "[T]hese factors have no talismanic qualities; courts must still engage in a difficult and sensitive balancing process." Id. ii. First Factor: Length of the Delay The first factor of the Barker test, i.e., length of the delay, is actually a dual inquiry. First, as a threshold matter, inquiry into the remaining Barker factors is only necessary if the delay is "presumptively prejudicial." Id. at 530. Second, "if the accused makes this showing, the court 18

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must then consider, as one factor among several, the extent to which the delay stretches beyond the bare minimum needed to trigger judicial examination of the claim." Doggett, 505 U.S. at 652. In examining the first prong of the delay factor, the Ninth Circuit held that presumptive prejudice is not dispositive; instead, it is simply part of the mix of relevant facts and its importance increases with the length of the delay. United States v. Gregory, 322 F.3d 1157, 1162 (9th Cir. 2003). Depending on the nature of the charges, lower courts generally found post-accusation delay presumptively prejudicial as it approaches one year. Doggett, 505 U.S. at 652 n.1; see McNeely v. Blanas, 336 F.3d 822, 826 (9th Cir. 2003) (finding three year delay was presumptively prejudicial); Gregory, 322 F.3d at 1162 (determining twenty-two month delay between first superseding indictment and trial date was presumptively prejudicial but did not weigh heavily in defendant's favor because it was not excessively long). Here, the first Barker factor weighs in favor of Petitioner's right to a speedy trial. The State first petitioned to have Petitioner recommitted on April 12, 2002. See Lodged Doc. 4, at 3. On January 22, 2004, the State filed a second recommitment petition, before trial on the first recommitment petition occurred. Id. Trial on the first recommitment petition did not commence until January 10, 2005, when the Superior Court granted the State's motion to consolidate trials on the two recommitment petitions and denied Petitioner's motion for separate trials. See id. at 4. Thus, Petitioner's trial on the first recommitment petition did not begin until almost thirtythree months after the first petition was filed. Accordingly, this factor weighs in favor of Petitioner, and the second, third, and fourth Barker factors must be reviewed. iii. Second Factor: Reason for the Delay The reason for the delay is the second prong in the Barker analysis. Barker, 407 U.S. at 530. Specifically, the second Barker factor asks which party is responsible for the delay. Courts generally look to the reasons for the delay in commencing the trial to determine whether those reasons are deliberate, neutral, or valid. Id. at 531 (focusing evaluation of delay on "the reason 19

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the government assigns to justify the delay"); United States v. Henry, 615 F.2d 1223, 1233 (9th Cir. 1980). In assessing the government's explanation, different weights should be assigned to different reasons. Intentional delays which obtain a strategic advantage for the prosecution are weighed heavily against the government. Barker, 407 U.S. at 531. A more neutral reason such as negligence or overcrowded courts should be weighed less heavily, but nevertheless should be considered because the ultimate responsibility for such circumstances rests with the government rather than with the petitioner. Id. A valid reason, such as a missing witness, serves to justify appropriate delay. Id. Delay attributable to the petitioner's own acts or to tactical decisions by petitioner's counsel will not bolster a petitioner's speedy trial argument. See McNeely, 336 F.3d at 827. Here, Respondents contend that "Petitioner must be deemed to have consented to or waived the right to object to the delay in the proceedings on the two petitions." Resp'ts' Answer 21. Respondents attribute the majority of delays to "Petitioner's counsel's involvement in other trials." Id. Respondents assert that "[w]itness unavailability worked to delay the proceeding on each side one time, and the District Attorney was ill on one occasion." Id. But, according to Respondents, Petitioner never objected to these delays. Id. The record supports Respondents' argument that Petitioner never objected to these delays in the proceedings on the two petitions. After the Superior Court found probable cause to believe that Petitioner was an SVP on June 28, 2002, the case was continued from time to time, until January 10, 2005. The record reveals the following: 1. On June 28, 2002, both parties agreed to set the trial date on September 23, 2002. Rep.'s Augment on Appeal vol. 1, 11. The record does not indicate why the first trial date of September 23, 2002 was continued to January 27, 2003. Supplemental Clerk's Tr. vol. 1, 2. 2. On January 27, 2003, Petitioner stated that the trial date was "going to be reset," and 20

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"[w]e already picked a date," i.e., June 26, 2003. Rep.'s Augment on Appeal vol. 1, 14. Petitioner explained, "[T]hat's the first date that the evaluator is going to be available." Id. In their answer, Respondents point out, "Presumably this was Petitioner's evaluator, but the record is not specific. Petitioner made no objection to the continuance and the court's focus on Petitioner suggests that he was the party requesting the continuance." Resp'ts' Answer 14. 3. On March 21, 2003, the parties appeared so the Superior Court could address Petitioner's "motion to compel production of certain documents," which the Superior Court granted. Rep.'s Augment on Appeal vol. 1, 16-17. Petitioner confirmed the June 26, 2003 trial date, and made no objection. Id. at 19 ("It's currently set for trial in June, Your Honor, the 27th [sic]."). 4. On June 26, 2003, neither party appeared for trial. Id. at 19a. ("We called and they said they totally forgot about it. And we put it over to [June 27, 2003]."). "Council [sic] for [Petitioner] was in trial on the case of Armel Hunt, 91F08195." Clerk's Tr. on Appeal vol. 1, 19. The matter was rescheduled for June 27, 2003. See Lodged Doc. 4, at 3. The record reveals no objection by Petitioner. 5. On June 27, 2003, again, neither party appeared for trial. Rep.'s Augment on Appeal vol. 1, 19a ("They did this yesterday, too. Nobody showed."). The Deputy District Attorney "call[ed] back" and requested an October 28, 2003 trial date. Id. at 19a-19b. The record does not show that Petitioner objected. 6. On July 30, 2003, Petitioner's counsel "went to trial as DNA council [sic] in the [c]ase of People vs. Cross, Superior Court No. 02F06519. That trial was completed in September of 2003, and yet on October 28, 2003, another continuance was granted in this matter." Clerk's Tr. on Appeal vol. 1, 20. 7. On October 28, 2003, the trial date was continued to March 2, 2004. Rep.'s Augment on Appeal vol. 1, 20; see Clerk's Tr. on Appeal vol. 1, 20. The record does not show 21

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any objections by Petitioner. 8. In November 2003, Petitioner's counsel "was in a homicide trial, People vs. Tinker, Superior Court No. 99F07982." Clerk's Tr. on Appeal vol. 1, 20. 9. On January 23, 2004, the parties appeared "for receipt of records." Rep.'s Augment on Appeal vol. 1, 22. The State filed a second recommitment petition," and the parties "agreed to set a PC hearing for the second petition" on February 17, 2004. Id. Petitioner's counsel stated he was "in no way conceding that the People have any right to file this subsequent petition, nor to attempt to consolidate these petitions at any point in time." Id. at 23. The Superior Court replied, "I imagine that you can file the papers to contest it before that date." Id. Petitioner's counsel responded, "I don't think we need to necessarily do that because there's been no move to consolidate at this point in time." Id. Petitioner's counsel added, "[F]or the record, my client is specifically waiving his appearance for any proceeding, short of trial." Id. The record, therefore, does not show that Petitioner objected to any delay. 10. On February 17, 2004, the probable cause hearing on the second recommitment petition was continued to April 2, 2004. Id. at 25. Petitioner's counsel stated, "I believe the next date that both myself and the evaluator are going to be available are April 2nd." Id. Nowhere does Petitioner object to any delay. 11. On March 2, 2004, the trial date for the first recommitment petition was reset to April 2, 2004, to join the probable cause hearing on the second recommitment petition. Id. at 26. Petitioner's counsel explained, "I'm in trial," and "I'll probably still be in trial on April 2, 2004.9 Id. Petitioner "was not personally present." Id. Petitioner, therefore, did not object to any delays.

"From approximately February 3, 2004 until April 14, 2004," Petitioner's counsel "was in trial as DNA council [sic] on the case of People vs. Rufus Kelsaw, Superior Court No. 02F06630." Clerk's Tr. on Appeal vol. 1, 20. 22

9

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12. On April 2, 2004, the probable cause hearing for the second recommitment petition commenced. Id. at 27. Neither party, however, mentioned that the trial on the first recommitment petition should have commenced as well. See Lodged Doc. 4, at 4. Moreover, Petitioner was not personally present at the hearing. Clerk's Tr. on Appeal vol. 1, 27 ("His appearance is excused" because "he specifically asked to remain at Atascadero State Hospital during the pendency of the probable cause hearing."). Thus, Petitioner did not object to any delays. 13. On July 27, 2004, the probable cause hearing on the second recommitment petition resumed. Id. at 117. The Superior Court determined that probable cause existed, and asked if the parties agreed on a trial date for the second recommitment petition. Id. at 185-86. The parties chose January 4, 2005, because of "trials we have already set," the Deputy District Attorney mentioned. Id. at 186. Petitioner's counsel added, "And [the Deputy District Attorney's] vacation, my vacation, his baby." Id. There was no discussion of the trial on the first recommitment petition during these proceedings. Also, "Def's appearance [was] waived." Supplemental Clerk's Tr. vol. 1, 10. The record, therefore, does not reveal any objections by Petitioner regarding delay. 14. On January 4, 2005, the trial on the second recommitment petition was continued to January 6, 2005, because "DA [was] ill." Id. at 11. The record does not reflect that Petitioner objected to any delays. 15. On January 6, 2005, trial on the second recommitment petition was reset to January 10, 2005. See Lodged Doc. 4, at 4. The record does not show that Petitioner objected to any delays. 16. Finally, on January 10, 2005, the parties raised the subject of trial on the first petition when they filed simultaneous motions. Clerk's Tr. on Appeal vol. 1, 15-21. The record also shows that during the thirty-three month period when Petitioner's case was continued without objection, Petitioner was busy challenging the legality of the SVPA 23

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proceedings against him by filing numerous pro se petitions in the state courts. Petitioner did assert that his right to a speedy trial was violated in his habeas petitions to the Superior Court, California Court of Appeal, and California Supreme Court petitions. See supra n.4. The Superior Court determined Petitioner raised issues "that could be addressed and raised by petitioner's counsel in Case No. CR 61422, and not by petitioner . . . ." See Lodged Docs. 16-17. The Court of Appeal and California Supreme Court denied the petitions without written opinions. See Lodged Docs. 9, 11. Petitioner, however, never objected to any continuances during the proceedings. Lodged Doc. 4, at 4 (acknowledging Superior Court "reviewed the court's files over the matter and finds in the files no specific objection by [Petitioner] to the continuances on the specific grounds of unreasonable delay or denial of speedy resolution" (internal quotation marks omitted)). Thus, the thirty-three month delay should be attributable to Petitioner because he did not object to any continuances. See United States v. Shetty, 130 F.3d 1324, 1330-31 (9th Cir. 1997) (finding delay attributable to defendant where neither defense counsel nor defendant objected to any continuances granted and instead stipulated to most); see also United States v. Lam, 251 F.3d 852, 858 (9th Cir.), amended, 262 F.3d 1033 (9th Cir. 2001) (finding defendant bound by his attorney's actions in having sought several continuances, but noting defendant can preserve his rights to speedy trial when he expressly asserts his rights and his actions contradict his counsel's). Petitioner had ample opportunity to object to any of the continuances but the record does not show that he ever objected. Cf. McNeely, 336 F.3d at 829 n.8 (finding defense counsel's waiver of time not necessarily attributable to defendant where defendant repeatedly disagreed with counsel and asserted his right to speedy trial). Thus, Petitioner, rather than the State, is substantially "more to blame" for the delay. Doggett, 505 U.S. at 651. Barker's second factor does not support Petitioner's claim. iv. Third Factor: Petitioner's Assertion of the Right A petitioner's assertion of his speedy trial right is "entitled to strong evidentiary weight in 24

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determining whether the [petitioner] [was] deprived of the right." Barker, 407 U.S. at 531-32. The "failure to assert the right will make it difficult for a [petitioner] to prove that he was denied a speedy trial." Id. at 532. "[I]f delay is attributable to the [petitioner], then his waiver may be given effect under standard waiver doctrine." Id. at 529. Even repeated assertions of a petitioner's speedy trial right must be viewed in light of the petitioner's other conduct. United States v. Loud Hawk, 474 U.S. 302, 314 (1986). A petitioner may not establish that he appropriately asserted his speedy trial rights when at the same time he was asserting the right in the trial court by filing motions and appeals which contributed to the delay in his trial. See id. at 314-15 (finding defendants' repeated assertions of their speedy trial rights was contradicted by their filings of frivolous petitions in the appellate courts and of repeated and unsuccessful motions in the trial court, which contributed to delay in their trial); Lam, 251 F.3d at 859 (determining where counsel's successive requests for continuances are attributable to defendant, weight of defendant's assertions of his speedy trial right is considerably diminished). Although Petitioner claims he "objected to the delays at every opportunity," Pet'r's Pet. 6, the record shows that: (1) Petitioner sought to delay his trial by filing several habeas corpus petitions through the state courts, in which he repeatedly challenged the legality of the SVPA proceedings pending against him, and (2) Petitioner never objected to continuances in the proceedings. See supra Part IV.B.1.c.iii; see also Lodged Doc. 4, at 4 (noting that Superior Court acknowledged Petitioner's allegation that he "has been objecting to continuances," but "has reviewed the files over the matter and finds in the files no specific objection by [Petitioner] to the continuances on the specific grounds of unreasonable delay or denial of speedy resolution" (internal quotation marks omitted)). Barker's third factor, therefore, does not support Petitioner's claim. v. Fourth Factor: Prejudice Petitioner bears the burden of demonstrating actual prejudice under the fourth Barker 25

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factor because he is responsible for the delay in his trial. Lam, 251 F.3d at 859; United States v. Manning, 56 F.3d 1188, 1195 (9th Cir. 1995); United States v. Aguirre, 994 F.2d 1454, 1458 (9th Cir. 1993). "Doggett holds that we should presume prejudice only if the [petitioner] is not responsible for the delay." Aguirre, 994 F.2d at 1457. But if the petitioner is responsible for the delay in his trial, then he carries the heavy burden of demonstrating actual prejudice to succeed on a speedy trial claim. Id. at 1458. Actual prejudice can be shown in three ways: (1) oppressive pretrial incarceration; (2) anxiety and concern of the accused; and (3) the possibility that the accused's defense will be impaired. Doggett, 505 U.S. at 654; Barker, 407 U.S. at 532. "Of these, the most serious is the last, because the inability of [the accused] adequately to prepare his case skews the fairness of the entire system." Barker, 407 U.S. at 532. Here, Petitioner does not credibly point to any specific damage to his defense stemming from the delay in his trial. In fact, the delay could have assisted his defense had he availed himself of the sexual offender treatment programs available at Atascadero State Hospital, where he was detained. Cf. Loud Hawk, 474 U.S. at 315 (noting delay is two-edge sword; the passage of time may make it more difficult or impossible for government to carry its burden of proof). Thus, Barker's final factor of prejudice does not support Petitioner's claim. In sum, Petitioner's speedy trial right was not violated, assuming that right attached to civil commitment proceedings. Cf. Barker, 407 U.S. at 533-36 (finding no Sixth Amendment speedy trial violation where criminal defendant did not request speedy trial and had not been seriously prejudiced by more than five-year delay between his arrest and trial, even though most of delay was attributable to prosecutor's inability to try co-indictee and have him testify at defendant's trial). Accordingly, Petitioner's speedy trial claim does not entitle him to habeas relief. Thus, Petitioner's claims of due process, equal protection, and speedy trial violations due to trial delay fail. /// 26

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2. Ground One: Counsel's Failure to Make Objections In ground one, Petitioner complains that his counsel failed to present to the Superior Court numerous objections, which may be construed as an ineffective assistance of counsel claim. Pet'r's Mem. 15. These objections include "the long delays in bringing the commitment petition to trial; the violations of statutory law (Civil Discovery Act of 1985); suppression of tainted evaluation reports and testimony; denial of due process; the vagueness (lack of guidance) of the SVPA; consolidation of petitions; and lack of jurisdiction." Id. For the following reasons, Petitioner's ineffective assistance of counsel claim lacks merit. a. Legal Standard for Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Claim The Sixth Amendment guarantees the effective assistance of counsel. The United States Supreme Court sets forth the test for demonstrating ineffective assistance of counsel in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984). An allegation of ineffective assistance of counsel requires that a petitioner establish two elements: (1) counsel's performance was deficient; and (2) the petitioner was prejudiced by the deficiency. Lowry v. Lewis, 21 F.3d 344, 346 (9th Cir. 1994); see Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687. First, a petitioner must show that, considering all the circumstances, counsel's performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 688. To this end, a petitioner must identify the acts or omissions that are alleged not to have been the result of reasonable professional judgment. Id. at 690. The federal court must then determine whether in light of all the circumstances, the identified acts or omissions were outside the wide range of professional competent assistance. Id. "We strongly presume that counsel's conduct was within the wide range of reasonable assistance, and that he exercised acceptable professional judgment in all significant decisions made." Hughes v. Borg, 898 F.2d 695, 702 (9th Cir. 1990) (citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689). Second, a petitioner must establish that he was prejudiced by counsel's deficient performance. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 693-94. Prejudice is found where "there is a reasonable 27

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probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different." Id. at 694. A reasonable probability is "a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome." Id.; see also Williams, 529 U.S. at 391-92; Laboa v. Calderon, 224 F.3d 972, 981 (9th Cir. 2000). A court need not determine whether counsel's performance was deficient before examining the prejudice suffered by the petitioner as a result of the alleged deficiencies. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 697. Since the petitioner must affirmatively prove prejudice, any deficiency that does not result in prejudice must necessarily fail. However, certain instances are legally presumed to result in prejudice, e.g., where there was an actual or constructive denial of the counsel's assistance, or where the State interfered with counsel's assistance. Id. at 692; see United States v. Cronic, 466 U.S. 648, 659 & n.25 (1984). b. Analysis of Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Claim Here, Petitioner fails to demonstrate prejudice resulting from his counsel's representation. See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 697; Weaver v. Palmateer, 455 F.3d 958, 966 (9th Cir. 2006) ("We are well-advised to bypass scrutinizing a criminal-defense attorney's representation if the defendant cannot show that he was prejudiced by it."). Petitioner does not show "there is a reasonable probability that," but for counsel's failure to raise Petitioner's objections, "the result of the [SVPA] proceeding would have been different." Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694. Petitioner wanted counsel to raise objections that are not meritorious. See supra Part IV.B.1 (trial delay, due process); see infra Parts IV.B.4 (Civil Discovery Act violations); IV.B.5 (vagueness), IV.B.6 (trial consolidation), IV.B.7 (jurisdiction), and IV.B.8 (reports and testimony). Thus, Petitioner's ineffective assistance of counsel claim, as construed from his allegations in ground one, should be rejected. 3. Ground One: Violation of the Right to Petition for State Habeas Relief In ground one, Petitioner contends his "right to petition for writ of habeas corpus" was violated because "California" does not allow "pro se litigants" to file state habeas petitions "until 28

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after all trial and appeal proceedings are completed." Pet'r's Pet. 4. "In conducting habeas review, a federal court is limited to deciding whether a conviction violated the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States." Estelle v. McGuire, 502 U.S. 62, 68 (1991). Habeas relief is not available for an alleged error in the interpretation or application of state law. See id. at 67-68. A federal district court has "no authority to review a state's application of its own laws." Jackson v. Ylst, 921 F.2d 882, 885 (9th Cir. 1990). Instead, federal courts may grant habeas relief only to correct errors of federal constitutional magnitude. Oxborrow v. Eikenberry, 877 F.2d 1395, 1400 (9th Cir. 1989). Here, Petitioner does not allege that he was deprived of any federally protected right. Instead, Petitioner's claim involves only alleged state law errors, and is not cognizable on federal habeas review. See generally Langford v. Day, 110 F.3d 1380, 1389 (9th Cir. 1996) (explaining federal petitioner may not "transform a state-law issue into a federal one merely by asserting a violation of due process"), cert. denied, 522 U.S. 881 (1997). Accordingly, Petitioner's claim asserting a violation of his right to petition for state habeas relief is not reviewable. 4. Ground Two: Violations of the California Civil Discovery Act and SVPA In ground two, Petitioner argues that "[t]he State evaluators and the D.A. ignored the ground rules set up by the Civil Discovery Act [Code of Civil Procedure §§ 2016 through 2036] as well as the SVPA" during his "mental" evaluations. Pet'r's Pet. 5. Specifically, Petitioner asserts his due process rights were violated because: (1) he "has never been provided with notice or other due process of any of the evaluations so he could confer with his attorney," Pet'r's Mem. 23; (2) the interviews were not recorded, id.; and (3) he "was never provided with a copy" of the evaluation reports.10 Id. Ground two fails for several reasons. Petitioner's claims appear to allege only state law errors and are not cognizable on federal In ground two, Petitioner also asserts that "[t]he People and their experts . . . used old evaluations, probation, and police reports, none of which contained current information and only added `spillover prejudice[,]'[] tainting the jury impressions of [Petitioner]." Pet'r's Pet. 5. This is addressed in Part IV.B.8. 29
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habeas review. See supra Part IV.B.3. In any event, the record does not show Petitioner was denied any procedural safeguards under the SVPA. See supra Part IV.B.1.a. First, the SVPA does not require that the evaluator provide advance notice before conducting the evaluation. See Woodward v. Mayberg, 242 F. Supp. 2d 695, 704-05 (N.D. Cal. 2003) ("SVPA does not provide for notification prior to screening and evaluation. Nor is it clearly established that the Due Process Clause requires such notification. . . . [N]o Supreme Court precedent requir[es] that an individual must be given notification prior to being screened and evaluated under the circumstances of this case."); Carmony, 99 Cal. App. 4th at 326-28, 120 Cal. Rptr. 2d 896 (affirming trial court's overruling of Petitioner's objections that: "(1) he received no advance notice that he was being evaluated as an SVP; (2) he was coerced into making statements to the psyc