In re Kocontes
In re Kocontes
Opinion of the Court
*1232Lonnie Loren Kocontes filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus in the California Supreme Court. In his habeas corpus petition, Kocontes argues the trial court, Judge Gregg L. Prickett, erred by overruling his demurrer and denying his motion to dismiss the indictment because collateral estoppel prevented him from reconsidering Judge William Lee Evans's ruling granting his previous motion to dismiss. The Supreme Court ordered the Orange County Sheriff's Department to show cause before this court "why the relief prayed for should not be granted." As we explain below, Kocontes's contentions have no merit, and we deny his petition for writ of habeas corpus.
FACTS
Substantive Facts
We provide only a brief discussion of the facts because of the limited nature of our review. In May 2006, Kocontes and his long-time partner, Micki Kanesaki, went on a Mediterranean cruise; they had a balcony room. Early one morning, Kocontes reported Kanesaki missing. Kocontes disembarked the ship, stayed in Italy for one evening, and returned to the United States. That day, the Italian Coast Guard recovered Kanesaki's body off the Italian coast. An Italian chief medical examiner conducted the autopsy while an Italian pathologist and a United States Army pathologist observed. The examiner concluded Kanesaki was strangled by one assailant and put in the water where she remained between 36 and 38 hours.
*1233Procedural Facts
Italian authorities did not prosecute Kocontes for Kanesaki's death, and a federal *843grand jury did not indict him. A federal district court judge granted Kocontes's motion for summary judgment in a civil forfeiture action.
Case No. 13CF0463
In February 2013, a complaint charged Kocontes with murder for financial gain in People v. Kocontes (Super. Ct. Orange County, 2013, No. 13CF0463 (case No. 13CF0463).) (Pen.Code, §§ 187, subd. (a), 190.2, subd. (a)(1), all further statutory references are to the Pen. Code, unless otherwise indicated.) Kocontes filed a demurrer and a nonstatutory motion to dismiss and/or quash the complaint alleging lack of territorial jurisdiction of the state (§ 778a).
In April 2013, a first amended complaint (first complaint) charged Kocontes with the same offense and added that he committed preliminary acts in Orange County that culminated in the offense outside California (§ 778a). At a hearing the same day, Judge Kazuharu Makino overruled Kocontes's demurrer to the first complaint. Judge Makino declined Kocontes's request to consider his motion to dismiss for lack of territorial jurisdiction, ruling the proper time to consider that motion was at the preliminary hearing. Kocontes's arraignment was continued. The following month, the parties filed briefs on the issue of territorial jurisdiction.
On May 16, 2013, Judge Evans arraigned Kocontes-he waived his right to have his preliminary hearing within 10 days of his arraignment. The parties subsequently filed briefs on the issue of territorial jurisdiction. At the end of May, there was a three-day hearing before Judge Evans on Kocontes's motion to dismiss for lack of territorial jurisdiction based on stipulated facts. This hearing was separate from and preceded a preliminary hearing.
*1234At the morning session of day three, Judge Evans granted Kocontes's motion to dismiss the case "for lack of territorial jurisdiction," concluding section 778a, subdivision (a), prohibited prosecution of a crime occurring outside the United States (Judge Evans's ruling). Judge Evans did not specify the statutory basis for the dismissal order. Noting he was sitting as a "magistrate," Judge Evans stated "none of [his] decisions constitute stare decisis or anything that binds any other judicial officer[,]" and he was "not at the level in which [his] rulings constantly bind some other judicial officer." After a discussion regarding whether the court must release Kocontes, the court granted the prosecution a short recess.
Case No. 13CF1773
During the recess, the prosecution filed a new complaint (second complaint) alleging the same charge and allegations in People v. Kocontes (Super. Ct. Orange County, 2013, No. 13CF1773 (case No. 13CF1773).) When court resumed, Judge Evans ordered Kocontes released in case No. 13CF0463-no preliminary hearing was held in that case. When Judge Evans began arraigning Kocontes in case *844No. 13CF1773, Kocontes's defense counsel objected and orally moved to dismiss the second complaint on the same grounds as the first complaint. After a discussion whether the prosecution was prohibited from filing the second complaint, Judge Evans recessed for lunch and ordered counsel back that afternoon to litigate the issue. When the hearing resumed, Judge Evans denied Kocontes's motion to dismiss the second complaint and remanded Kocontes. Judge Evans granted Kocontes's motion to continue his arraignment. About a week later, Kocontes filed a demurrer, and motions to strike and dismiss the second complaint.
Case No. 13ZF0163
The grand jury heard testimony over two days in June 2013. The grand jury returned a true bill of indictment alleging murder for financial gain with the jurisdictional allegation (§§ 187, subd. (a), 190.2, subd. (a)(1), 778a, subd. (a) ). Judge Prickett, sitting in Department C5, ordered the indictment filed in People v. Kocontes (Super. Ct. Orange County, 2013, No. 13ZF0163 (case No. 13ZF0163).)
At a hearing three days later, Judge Prickett noted an indictment supersedes a complaint and the prosecution moved to dismiss the second complaint in case No. 13CF1773, which Judge Prickett granted (§ 1387, subd. (c)). With respect to the indictment, Kocontes stated he intended to incorporate his *1235previously filed demurrer, motion to strike, and motion to dismiss. When Judge Prickett indicated the matter would "stay here" and inquired when the motion should be set, counsel asked, "You mean in your court?" Judge Prickett indicated whether the case was assigned to another department for hearing on the motions was within the master calendar judge's discretion and he set the matter for the following week. Judge Prickett stated he would consider Kocontes's motions from case No. 13CF0463.
A few days later, the prosecution opposed Kocontes's demurrer and motions. Despite Judge Prickett's agreement he would consider Kocontes's motions from case No. 13CF0463 (motions on the first complaint before Judge Evans) in case No. 13ZF0163, Kocontes filed another demurrer, motion to strike the indictment, and motion to dismiss the case, a reply, and a supplemental memorandum.
At a hearing in June 2013, Judge Prickett indicated he had read and considered the moving papers and counsel argued the motion. Judge Prickett stated he intended to issue a written opinion. A few weeks later, the prosecution filed a supplemental brief, and Kocontes filed a reply.
On July 25, 2013, eight weeks after Judge Evans's ruling, the Orange County District Attorney appealed from the order granting Kocontes's motion to dismiss case No. 13CF0463, which became case No. G048763 on appeal.
At a hearing days later, Judge Prickett stated he had considered the briefs, and he informed counsel he overruled the demurrer and denied the motions to strike and dismiss the indictment. Judge Prickett issued a lengthy written order detailing his rulings (Judge Prickett's ruling). First, Judge Prickett ruled the prosecution could file the second complaint (§ 1387). Second, he ruled collateral estoppel did not apply because of the following: (1) Judge Evans's ruling was not final, and (2) assuming it was final, collateral estoppel did not apply because (a) jeopardy had not *845attached; (b) collateral estoppel did not apply to similar magistrate orders; (c) collateral estoppel had limited application to legal issues in criminal cases; and (d) policy reasons precluded collateral estoppel. Judge Prickett made his ruling while the appeal was pending in case No. G048763 and before Kocontes was arraigned on the indictment.
In September 2013, Kocontes filed and this court summarily denied his petition for writ of habeas corpus, mandate, and/or prohibition and request for immediate stay of Judge Prickett's ruling, alleging lack of territorial jurisdiction, the two-dismissal rule, and due process violations. (Kocontes v. Superior Court (Sept. 27, 2013, G049056) [nonpub. order].)
*1236Judge Lance Jensen, sitting in department C5, arraigned Kocontes on the indictment on November 8, 2013. Kocontes pleaded not guilty and denied the allegation.
In December 2013, Kocontes filed, inter alia, the following: (1) motion to set aside the indictment pursuant to section 995 and due process, alleging insufficient probable cause and errors in the grand jury proceedings; and (2) motion to dismiss the indictment for lack of territorial jurisdiction. The prosecution opposed the motions, Kocontes filed replies, and the prosecution filed a response. In August 2014, Judge Stotler denied Kocontes's motion to set aside the indictment (§ 995). Judge Stotler did not rule on Kocontes's motion to dismiss the indictment for lack of territorial jurisdiction, and based on our review of the record, that motion is still pending.
In August 2014, Kocontes filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus, mandate, and/or prohibition of Judge Stotler's ruling alleging errors in the grand jury proceedings. This court summarily denied the petition. (Kocontes v. Superior Court (Aug. 28, 2014, G050582) [nonpub. order].)
In early October 2014, after the district attorney failed to file a reply brief and the matter was set for oral argument, the district attorney filed a notice of abandonment of its appeal of Judge Evans's ruling in case No. G048763. This court dismissed the appeal. (People v. Kocontes (Oct. 6, 2014, G048763) [nonpub. order].)
In December 2014, Kocontes filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus, mandate, and/or prohibition alleging collateral estoppel barred Judge Prickett from reconsidering Judge Evans's ruling. This court summarily denied the petition. (Kocontes v. Superior Court (Dec. 24, 2014, G051135) [nonpub. order].)
In January 2015, Kocontes filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus in the California Supreme Court, essentially the same habeas corpus petition he filed with this court in December 2014, and which we denied. The only issue Kocontes raises in his habeas corpus petition is collateral estoppel. However, in his petition he states, "If, for some reason, this Court were to conclude that collateral estoppel does not bar this prosecution, then it is respectfully requested that this Court decide the merits of the jurisdictional issue." He makes the same request in two other places citing to interests of judicial economy. However, Kocontes does not discuss the merits of the jurisdictional issue in his petition (and he does not discuss the election of remedies rule articulated in *1237Anderson v. Superior Court (1967)
The following month, the district attorney filed an informal response in which it argues collateral estoppel is inapplicable. The district attorney adds Kocontes requests the Supreme Court address the merits of the jurisdictional issue; the district attorney does address the merits.
The next month, Kocontes filed an informal reply. After addressing the collateral estoppel issue, Kocontes asserts the Supreme Court should not address the merits of the jurisdictional issue, asserting he did not invite the court to do so. Relying on the fact he did not address the merits of the jurisdictional issue in the habeas corpus petition, Kocontes adds he requested the court address the issue "through orderly procedure if and only if the present writ petition (based on collateral estoppel) was denied." Nevertheless, Kocontes addresses the merits of the jurisdictional issue out of an abundance of caution.
On April 22, 2015, the California Supreme Court issued an order which stated: "The Orange County Sheriff's Department is ordered to show cause before the Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Three, when the matter is placed on calendar, why the relief prayed for should not be granted." The Supreme Court ordered the return to be filed on or before April 24, 2015, two days later. On April 29, 2015, acknowledging the error, the Supreme Court ordered the return filed by May 22, 2015, but not before Kocontes filed a motion, dated April 27, 2015, requesting we grant his habeas corpus petition because the district attorney did not file a return within the initial and erroneous two-day deadline.
The following month, the district attorney filed a return and accompanying exhibits. In its return, the district attorney denies the habeas corpus petition's allegations, denies Kocontes is unlawfully incarcerated, and denies collateral estoppel applies. The district attorney admits Kocontes is in custody because he was indicted and asserts California has territorial jurisdiction. After arguing collateral estoppel does not apply, the district attorney again contends Kocontes alternatively requests we address the merits of the jurisdictional issue-it again addresses the merits of that issue. The district attorney does not cite to Anderson, supra ,
*1238Kocontes filed a traverse and accompanying exhibits.
On July 31, 2015, this court invited the Orange County Sheriff's Department to file a formal written return. We also denied Kocontes's request for bail or release on his own recognizance, and stayed further proceedings. Later, the Orange County Sheriff's Department declined our invitation to file a return.
DISCUSSION
I. Nature of Our Review
Before we begin, we must clearly state the issues we are and are not addressing in this habeas corpus petition. We address the collateral estoppel issue below. However, we will not address the territorial jurisdiction issue because Kocontes did not raise it in his habeas corpus petition.
" 'The court determines on the basis of the allegations of the original petition ..., as well as the supporting documentary evidence and/or affidavits, which should be attached if available, whether a prima facie case entitling the petitioner to relief if the allegations are proven has been stated. If so, the court issues an order directing the respondent to show cause why the relief sought should not be granted based on those allegations. When an [OSC] does issue, it is limited to the claims raised in the petition and the factual bases for those claims alleged in the petition. It directs the respondent to address only those issues.' " (In re Reno (2012)
Here, the only issue Kocontes raises in his habeas corpus petition is collateral estoppel. He does not address the merits of the territorial jurisdiction in his petition. In his informal response to the Supreme Court, Kocontes *1239stated he asks the court to address the merits of the territorial jurisdiction issue only if the court rejects his collateral estoppel argument and "through orderly procedure." And he acknowledges his habeas corpus petition does not address the merits of the issue. In his traverse, he requests this court not address the merits of the territorial issue, although he addresses the merits out of an abundance of caution.
The Reno court spoke clearly when it said that when a court issues an OSC, "it is limited to the claims raised in the petition and the factual bases for those claims alleged in the petition." (Reno, supra, 55 Cal.4th at pp. 458-459, fn. 15,
II. Collateral Estoppel/Issue Preclusion
Kocontes argues the prosecution's dismissal of its appeal of Judge Evans's ruling in case No. G048763, which occurred after Judge Prickett's ruling on the indictment, acts as collateral estoppel of that ruling and prohibits his prosecution for Kanesaki's death. We disagree.
"We have generally applied collateral estoppel 'if (1) the issue necessarily decided at the previous trial is identical to the one which is sought to be relitigated; if (2) the previous trial resulted in a final judgment on the merits; and if (3) the party against whom collateral estoppel is asserted was a party or in privity with a party at the prior trial.' [Citations.]" (People v. Santamaria (1994)
Because we review the issue of collateral estoppel de novo, we need only determine whether its elements are satisfied and not the reasons for Judge Prickett's ruling. The only element in dispute is the second element, finality. Before we address that element, and Kocontes's contentions, we briefly discuss one preliminary issue-does collateral estoppel apply to purely legal issues in criminal cases.
A. Collateral Estoppel of Legal Issues in Criminal Cases
"It is debatable whether the doctrine of collateral estoppel even applies to pure questions of law." (In re Bush (2008)
*1240In re Pedro C. (1989)
In that case, defendant pleaded guilty to robbery in 1973, and in 1979, he was charged with another offense and the prosecution sought to enhance his punishment on the basis of the 1973 robbery. (Howie, supra, 41 Cal.App.4th at p. 734,
Although Judge Prickett concluded it was doubtful collateral estoppel applied to legal issues in criminal cases as an alternative basis for denying Kocontes's motions, the district attorney does not assert this as a basis for denying Kocontes's habeas corpus petition. Assuming without deciding collateral estoppel applies to purely legal issues in criminal cases, we conclude the elements of collateral estoppel were not satisfied here.
B. Finality
1. Section 1387
"It is, of course, the rule in this state that the magistrate's order dismissing a felony complaint is not a bar to another prosecution for the same offense, either by filing a subsequent complaint [citations], or by seeking a grand jury indictment [citations]. Even a dismissal in the superior court following an order setting aside an information or indictment is no bar to a future prosecution for the same offense. (... § 999; see also § 1387.)" (People v. Uhlemann (1973)
*849Section 1387 " 'is sometimes loosely described as establishing a two-dismissal rule.' " ( *1241People v. Hatch (2000)
Section 1387, subdivision (a), provides in relevant part: "An order terminating an action pursuant to this chapter, or [s]ection 859b, 861, 871, or 995, is a bar to any other prosecution for the same offense if it is a felony or if it is a misdemeanor charged together with a felony and the action has been previously terminated pursuant to this chapter, or [s]ection 859b, 861, 871, or 995, or if it is a misdemeanor not charged together with a felony...." Section 1387, subdivisions (b) [domestic violence misdemeanors] and (c) [complaint & indictment], and section 1387.1 [two dismissals violent felony excusable neglect] specify exceptions to the two-dismissal rule.
In Burris v. Superior Court (2005)
Here, section 1387 did not prohibit the prosecution from either filing the second complaint or obtaining an indictment and seeking dismissal of the second complaint. As to filing the second complaint, the initial issue is whether Judge Evans's ruling constituted a termination of the action pursuant to section 1387. Kocontes filed a nonstatutory motion to dismiss, and Judge Evans did not specify the statutory basis for his ruling. " 'Because [section] 1387 refers to dismissals under specified statutes, it presumably does not apply to a dismissal made on nonstatutory grounds [citation].' [Citation.]" (Berardi v. Superior Court (2008)
But even if we were to conclude Judge Evans's ruling did constitute a termination of the action pursuant to section 1387, it was the first dismissal. Section 1387 prohibits a new felony charge after two previous charges for the same offense. (Burris, supra , 34 Cal.4th at p. 1023,
With respect to obtaining an indictment and seeking dismissal of the second complaint, section 1387, subdivisions (c), specifically authorizes that procedure. Section 1387, subdivision (c), provides: "An order terminating an action is not a bar to prosecution if a complaint is dismissed before the commencement of a preliminary hearing in favor of an indictment filed pursuant to [s]ection 944 and the indictment *850is based upon the same subject matter as charged in the dismissed complaint, information, or indictment." An exception to the two-dismissal rule is when after a complaint has been filed the prosecution seeks an indictment based on the same charges prior to the preliminary hearing on the complaint. (Uhlemann, supra, 9 Cal.3d at p. 666,
People v. Cossio (1977)
Here, after Judge Evans dismissed the first complaint, the prosecutor filed the second complaint. Before the arraignment and the preliminary hearing on *1243the second complaint, the prosecution obtained an indictment. On the prosecutor's motion, Judge Prickett dismissed the second complaint. Pursuant to section 1387, subdivision (c), and Cossio and Schlosser, this was permissible because the second complaint was a "duplicate filing" and Kocontes was left with one prosecution to answer and defend. Thus, Judge Prickett's dismissal did not constitute a termination of the action pursuant to section 1387. (Berardi, supra , 160 Cal.App.4th at p. 225,
Kocontes argues section 1387, subdivision (c), is applicable only when the district attorney prevails on appeal. However, Kocontes cites to no authority to support his contention. Kocontes does criticize the prosecution for the timing of filing the second complaint and for judge shopping. A brief discussion of Uhlemann, supra,
In that case, the majority held a magistrate's dismissal pursuant to section 1385 did not preclude the prosecution from a second filing of charges at a time when felony charges could be refiled ad infinitum.
*851(Uhlemann, supra , 9 Cal.3d at p. 664,
First, we are bound to follow the majority opinion of the court and not the dissenting opinion. (Auto Equity Sales, Inc. v. Superior Court (1962)
*12442. Section 1238
Section 1238, subdivision (a)(1), authorizes the prosecution to appeal from an order setting aside inter alia a complaint, and section 1238, subdivision (a)(8), permits the prosecution to appeal from, "An order or judgment dismissing or otherwise terminating all or any portion of the action including such an order or judgment after a verdict or finding of guilty or an order or judgment entered before the defendant has been placed in jeopardy or where the defendant has waived jeopardy." Section 1238, subdivision (b), provides: "If, pursuant to paragraph (8) of subdivision (a), the people prosecute an appeal to decision, or any review of such decision, it shall be binding upon them and they shall be prohibited from refiling the case which was appealed."
In Anderson, supra, 66 Cal.2d at page 864,
The California Supreme Court in Anderson , characterizing section 1238 as an "important right" of the prosecution, stated "the People may simultaneously file an appeal from the dismissal of the first pleading and seek a new accusation." (Anderson, supra, 66 Cal.2d at pp. 864, 866,
Here, as we explain above, the prosecution could properly file the second complaint because the action had been terminated just once, and obtain an *1245indictment and dismiss the second complaint (§ 1387, subd. (c)). The prosecution was also permitted to appeal Judge Evans's ruling granting Kocontes's motion to dismiss for lack of territorial jurisdiction (§ 1238). Additionally, the prosecutor made its election of remedies,
Kocontes asserts Judge Evans's ruling in case No. 13CF0463 was final for purposes of collateral estoppel in the indictment case, case No. 13ZF0163, before Judge Prickett because the prosecution dismissed its appeal of Judge Evans's ruling. The extent of Kocontes's argument on this issue is the following: At the hearing, Judge Prickett stated Judge Evans's ruling was not final because it was on appeal and thus Judge Evans's ruling is final because the prosecution later dismissed its appeal.
Needless to say, Judge Prickett's comments about the procedural posture of the case at the time of his ruling are not binding on this court.
*1246Kocontes also cites to People v. Sims (1982)
Kocontes's assertion the prosecution's dismissal of its appeal of Judge Evans's ruling renders Judge Evans's ruling final for purposes of collateral estoppel, and invalidates Judge Prickett's prior ruling, contradicts the plain meaning of sections 1387 and 1238. Judge Prickett made his ruling while the appeal was pending in case No. G048763 and before Kocontes was arraigned on the indictment. Kocontes contends the prosecution's only remedy was its appeal of Judge Evans's ruling. But section 1387 expressly allows refiling of a dismissed case, and section 1238 authorizes the prosecution to appeal from the order dismissing the case and elect which to pursue. Had the prosecution pursued the appeal of Judge Evans's ruling and this court issued an opinion, Judge Evans's ruling would be final (§ 1238, subd. (b)). But the prosecution chose to obtain an indictment while the appeal was pending in case No. G048763 and later dismiss that appeal, which is authorized by sections 1387 and 1238. Acceptance of Kocontes's theory would render the election of remedies provision meaningless. Judge Evans's ruling did not have collateral estoppel effect in the newly filed case. Although one superior court judge may not overrule another superior court judge (People v. Goodwillie (2007)
Kocontes's reliance on Sims, supra,
The policies underlying collateral estoppel are the following: (1) minimizing repetitive litigation to promote judicial economy; (2) preventing inconsistent judgments to promote integrity of the judicial system; and (3) preventing a person from being harassed by vexatious litigation. (Lucido v. Superior Court (1990)
First, although promoting judicial economy is a factor to be considered in every case, as we explain above, the prosecution's election of remedies was authorized by statute. Section 1238 authorizes the prosecution to appeal in a dismissed case, section 1387 allows filing a new case, and Anderson requires the prosecution to elect between which to pursue. Second, it is true Judge Prickett's ruling is inconsistent with Judge Evans's ruling. But we are not convinced this undermines trust in the judicial system. As we explain above, the rulings were in different cases. Criminal law's statutory framework allows for multiple charging documents in early stages of the proceedings.
Finally, filing a new complaint and obtaining an indictment that superseded the complaint after appealing Judge Evans's ruling cannot be considered vexatious litigation. The appeal and the filing of a new complaint and obtaining an indictment were authorized by statute. As we explain above, the issue of the timing of the election of remedies is not before us. None of the policies underlying application of collateral estoppel outweigh the prosecutor's statutory right to file a new case. Therefore, the policies underlying collateral estoppel do not require its application in this case
D. Habeas Corpus Procedure
In his traverse, citing to California Rules of Court, rule 8.385(d), and case authority holding issuance of an OSC indicates a court's preliminary assessment petitioner is entitled to relief if the factual allegations are proved, Kocontes claims that because the district attorney admitted procedural facts the California Supreme Court already considered when issuing its OSC, this court must grant Kocontes's petition and order him released. Not so.
California Rules of Court, rule 8.385(d), provides: "If the petitioner has made the required prima facie showing that he or she is entitled to relief, the court must issue an [OSC].An [OSC] does not grant the relief sought in the petition. " (Italics added.) We need not provide a detailed treatise on habeas corpus practice. Suffice it to say, after the petitioner files a habeas corpus petition and a court issues an OSC signifying its preliminary determination of *1248a prima facie case for relief, the respondent may file a return alleging facts establishing the legality of the petitioner's confinement and respond to the petitioner's contentions the confinement is unlawful. Any facts not denied in the return are admitted as true. *855In response to the return, the petitioner may file a traverse and like the return any facts not denied in the traverse are admitted as true. (See People v. Duvall (1995)
In Duvall , the California Supreme Court explained: " '[W]here there are no disputed factual questions as to matters outside the trial record, the merits of a habeas corpus petition can be decided without an evidentiary hearing.' [Citations.] Thus, '[w]hen the return effectively admits the material factual allegations of the petition and traverse by not disputing them, we may resolve the issue without ordering an evidentiary hearing.' [Citation.]" (Duvall, supra , 9 Cal.4th at pp. 478-479,
Here, the district attorney admitted Kocontes was indicted for the murder of Kanesaki, was in custody, and asserted California has jurisdiction over him pursuant to section 778a, subdivision (a). The district attorney denied the other allegations in Kocontes's habeas corpus petition, including that collateral estoppel prohibited prosecution of Kocontes in the indictment. Contrary to Kocontes's assertion otherwise, the California Supreme Court's OSC in conjunction with the district attorney's admission does not automatically entitle Kocontes to relief. The district attorney did not admit any facts establishing collateral estoppel applies in this case. As Duvall stated, when there are no disputed factual questions because a return effectively admits the petition's factual allegations, the court may resolve the legal issue without an evidentiary hearing. (Duvall, supra , 9 Cal.4th at pp. 478-479,
DISPOSITION
The petition for writ of habeas corpus is denied.
WE CONCUR:
BEDSWORTH, J.
Kocontes requests we take judicial notice of the records in case Nos. G050582, G049056, and G048763. We grant his request. (Evid.Code, § 452, subd. (d).)
In his habeas corpus petition, Kocontes states, "Because of bruising, in the thigh, the Italian medical examiner also concluded that an attempted sexual assault occurred." Kocontes does not provide a record reference for this statement. If he is referring to the Italian medical examiner's grand jury testimony, he is wrong. At the grand jury, the examiner actually testified there was bruising on her legs but there was "absolutely no[ ]" evidence she was sexually assaulted.
The term "jurisdiction" can be problematic, i.e., personal jurisdiction, subject matter jurisdiction, and venue. (See People v. Simon (2001)
On October 29, 2015, on our own motion, we augmented the record with the trial court minutes from case No. 13ZF0163.
Kocontes mistakenly states he was arraigned on June 26, 2013.
At oral argument in November 2015, the district attorney sought to distinguish Anderson, relying on Anthony v. Superior Court (1980)
In his traverse's table of contents, Kocontes states, "Falsities perpetuated by a corrupt district attorney's office that form the basis of the pending shameful state criminal action against petitioner." (Capitalization omitted; italics added.) "[A] reminder to counsel-all counsel, regardless of practice, regardless of age-that zealous advocacy does not equate with 'attack dog' or 'scorched earth'; nor does it mean lack of civility. [Citations.] Zeal and vigor in the representation of clients are commendable. So are civility, courtesy, and cooperation. They are not mutually exclusive." (In re Marriage of Davenport (2011)
An interesting issue but unfortunately one that is not before us is the timeliness of the district attorney's election of remedies. The Anderson court stated the prosecution must exercise its election of remedies "when the new accusatory pleading withstands a motion under section 995 or at the time of arraignment for plea, whichever first occurs. " (Anderson, supra, 66 Cal.2d at pp. 864, 867,
Judge Evans made his ruling on May 31, 2013. On June 14, 2013, Judge Prickett ordered the indictment filed. The prosecution appealed from Judge Evans's ruling on July 25, 2013, eight weeks after Judge Evans's ruling and six weeks after the indictment. Judge Jensen arraigned Kocontes in November 2013, and Judge Stotler denied Kocontes's section 995 motion in August 2014. The prosecution dismissed its appeal in October 2014, 11 months after Kocontes was arraigned and when the prosecution should have made its election pursuant to Anderson.
In his habeas corpus petition, Kocontes does not cite to Anderson or provide any meaningful discussion of this issue, nor does he discuss section 1238 in any meaningful way. Kocontes asserts in conclusory fashion the prosecution's abandonment of its appeal on the eve of oral argument after "15 months" forced Kocontes to "expend scarce resources." Kocontes does cite to Anderson and develop this argument more fully in his informal reply and traverse. The argument that dismissal of an appeal authorized by section 1238 renders the judgment final necessarily includes the argument the prosecution's decision to file and dismiss that appeal was untimely. These allegations and facts should have been in the petition.
" 'While the traverse may allege additional facts in support of the claim on which an order to show cause has issued, attempts to introduce additional claims or wholly different factual bases for those claims in a traverse do not expand the scope of the proceeding which is limited to the claims which the court initially determined stated a prima facie case for relief. ' [Citations.] [¶] For similar reasons, belatedly raising new claims or theories for the first time in the informal reply brief [citation] is also improper. 'If the imprisonment is alleged to be illegal, the petition must also state in what the alleged illegality consists.' [Citation.]" (Reno, supra, 55 Cal.4th at pp. 458-459, fn. 15,
Dissenting Opinion
I respectfully dissent. Judge Evans granted Kocontes's motion to dismiss in case No. 13CF0463 "for lack of territorial jurisdiction." As I will explain, a dismissal for lack of territorial jurisdiction is not a dismissal in the furtherance of justice within the meaning of Penal Code section 1385 (all *1249further statutory references are to this code), and it is not subject to the "two-dismissal" rule of section 1387.
"A dismissal for lack of territorial jurisdiction is qualitatively different from those situations in which dismissals in the furtherance of justice [under section 1385 ] have been approved. In the former situation, the court is not empowered to hear the case; in the latter it chooses to dismiss the case because other factors outweigh its authority to act." (Casey v. Superior Court (1989)
The conclusion that a dismissal for lack of territorial jurisdiction is not a dismissal under section 1385 is supported by the fact a number of methods exist to challenge a court's power to hear a case. If a court acts in excess of its territorial jurisdiction, a defendant may seek relief through extraordinary measures such as habeas corpus to prevent a court from proceeding. (§ 1487;
*856In re Huber (1930)
Further, section 1385 explicitly limits the types of dismissals which can be considered to have been made in the furtherance of justice by providing: "A dismissal shall not be made for any cause that would be ground of demurrer to the accusatory pleading." (§ 1385, subd. (a).) Lack of jurisdiction is a ground for demurrer. (§ 1004, subd. (1).) And because this type of defect cannot be cured by amendment, an action in excess of territorial jurisdiction must be dismissed pursuant to section 1008 after the demurrer is sustained, which is exactly what Judge Evans did in case No. 13CF0463.
Finally, dismissals made pursuant to section 1008 are not among the terminating orders specifically enumerated in section 1387. So the two-dismissal rule of section 1387 does not apply. (Casey, supra, 207 Cal.App.3d at pp. 844-845,
In sum, Judge Evans's dismissal for lack of territorial jurisdiction in case No. 13CF0463 was not a dismissal within the meaning of section 1385 and the two-dismissal rule of section 1387 did not apply. For these reasons: (a) the People were not authorized to file the complaint in case No. 13CF1773 or seek the indictment in case No. 13ZF0163; and (b) the only manner in which the People were authorized to challenge the dismissal was to appeal, which they did, although they later abandoned that appeal.
Under these circumstances, Judge Prickett erred by overruling Kocontes's demurrer and denying his motion to dismiss in case No. 13ZF0163. To hold *1250otherwise is to permit prosecutorial forum shopping, to sanction refilling dismissed charges in the hope that a different judge will view the territorial jurisdiction issue more favorably, and to deprive this court of its jurisdiction to review the correctness of Judge Evans's ruling. The petition for habeas corpus must be granted to prevent the trial court from proceeding.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.