Opinion ID: 1203801
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Applicability of Gerstein Decision to Instant Case

Text: Petitioner is no longer in pretrial detention and his request for a writ of habeas corpus has thus been rendered moot. However, since the case presents an issue of statewide importance affecting generally the rights of all persons charged with misdemeanors who are detained in custody, it is argued that we may exercise an inherent discretion to resolve that issue even though an event occurring during its pendency would normally render the matter moot. ( In re William M. (1970) 3 Cal.3d 16, 23 [89 Cal. Rptr. 33, 473 P.2d 737].) (1) Where questions of general public concern are involved, particularly in the area of the supervision of the administration of criminal justice, we may reject mootness as a bar to a decision on the merits. (See In re Fluery (1967) 67 Cal.2d 600, 601 [63 Cal. Rptr. 298, 432 P.2d 986]; In re Newbern (1961) 55 Cal.2d 500, 505 [11 Cal. Rptr. 547, 360 P.2d 43].) Furthermore, habeas corpus is an appropriate procedure for disposing of the present case since it can be used by petitioner to obtain a declaration of rights in the prevailing circumstances. [3] ( In re Harrell (1970) 2 Cal.3d 675, 682, 706 [87 Cal. Rptr. 504, 470 P.2d 640]; In re Fluery, supra, 67 Cal.2d 600, 601; In re Gonsalves (1957) 48 Cal.2d 638, 639 [311 P.2d 483]; Witkin, Cal. Criminal Procedure (1963) §§ 789-790, at pp. 762-764; id. (1973 Supp.) § 790, at pp. 604-606.) While this court would have undoubtedly been presented with other habeas corpus petitions seeking to resolve the questions presented herein (cf. In re William M., supra, 3 Cal.3d at p. 25), each case would have in turn become moot before we could have acted upon it since the pretrial detention would necessarily have ended. (See Pen. Code, § 1382, subd. 3.) Consequently, we consider petitioner's case an appropriate vehicle for articulating pretrial procedures in misdemeanor cases which must conform with Gerstein. [4]