Tomorrow the court will issue its opinion in People v. Hazlett. This is an automatic direct appeal from a July 2004 judgment of death. Unlike in discretionary review cases, the court’s website does not list issues for death penalty appeals. Counsel were appointed in August 2009. Initial briefing was completed in September 2013. Supplemental briefing was completed in September 2025. Video of the oral argument is available here.
At the Lectern
Death penalty opinion coming tomorrow
Curt Cutting
August 26, 2026
Put Our Proven Appellate Expertise to Work for You.
For over 60 years, we've preserved judgments, reversed errors, and reduced awards in some of California’s most high-profile appellate cases.
Explore our practices Explore Careers