Court Opinion

ID: 9633276
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 11:41:18.125713+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:08:32.335895
License: Public Domain

EDMONDS, J.
I concur in the judgment solely upon the ground that relief by coram nobis was properly denied because habeas corpus is the available and proper remedy. The courts developed the modern use of the writ of error coram nobis in an era when it furnished the only remedy for reviewing certain serious errors. However, in recent years, generally speaking, habeas corpus has been made available for the correction of errors within the category of lack of procedural due process of law. (In re McCoy, 32 Cal.2d 73 [194 P.2d 531]; In re Jingles, 27 Cal.2d 496 [165 P.2d 12]; In re Mooney, 10 Cal.2d 1 [73 P.2d 554].) Accordingly, the compelling necessity for the use of a writ of error coram nobis is no longer present. Moreover, the enlarged use of habeas corpus avoids the necessity for the time consuming practice of making an application for relief in the trial court followed by an appeal from an adverse determination.* (See People v. Nixon, ante, p. 234 [209 P.2d 385]; People v. Shorts, 32 Cal.2d 502 [197 P.2d 330].)
The effect of the present decision is to foreclose in the future most, if not all, of the present uses of the writ of error coram nobis, for there are no significant situations where that writ might be used in which habeas corpus is not now available. This result reflects sound policy directed to protection of the rights of persons improperly convicted, and at the same time expedites the efficient administration of justice.
*339I do not agree with the protracted discussion in the majority opinion as to the procedure for obtaining coram nolis and the nature of the proceeding. (See dissent, In re Paiva, 31 Cal.2d 503 at 511 [190 P.2d 604].) The opinion holds that “ [w]ith the expansion of the function of habeas corpus in this state, an application for that writ has become the proper remedy to attack collaterally a judgment of conviction which has been obtained in violation of fundamental constitutional rights.” By that rule, the modern use of the writ of error coram nolis is judicially “repealed” and it is entirely unnecessary to discuss rules of pleading applicable to a proceeding which it is said may not be maintained. If consideration of those principles were proper, I would state my reasons for disagreeing with much of what is stated.

The 1949 amendment to section 1265 of the Penal Code has avoided some of the present procedural steps. (Stats. 1949, ch. 1309 [A.B. 2575].)