(a) Evidentiary hearing.--No more than 20 days after the Commonwealth answers the petition or, if no answer is filed, 20 days after the deadline for answering, the court shall determine whether or not an evidentiary hearing is warranted. An evidentiary hearing shall not be warranted unless controverted, previously unresolved factual issues material to petitioner's conviction or sentence exist.
(b) Written order.--Failure of the court to issue a written order within the period prescribed under subsection (a) shall constitute a determination that an evidentiary hearing is warranted on any controverted, previously unresolved factual issues material to petitioner's conviction or sentence.
(c) Disposing of petition.--If the determination is made that no evidentiary hearing is warranted, the court shall, no later than 90 days from the date of that determination, dispose of the petition, after oral argument if requested, and any postsentence motions filed under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Suspension by Court Order. Section 9575 was suspended August 11, 1997, S.Ct. Order.
Cross References. Section 9575 is referred to in section 9545 of this title.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Title 42 - JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
Chapter 95 - Post-trial Matters
Section 9501 - Procedures, motions and other matters
Section 9521 - Defense-initiated victim or witness outreach
Section 9541 - Short title of subchapter
Section 9542 - Scope of subchapter
Section 9543 - Eligibility for relief
Section 9543.1 - Postconviction DNA testing
Section 9544 - Previous litigation and waiver
Section 9545 - Jurisdiction and proceedings
Section 9546 - Relief and order
Section 9547 - Amendment and withdrawal of petition (Repealed)
Section 9548 - Answer to petition (Repealed)
Section 9549 - Hearing on petition (Repealed)
Section 9550 - Order of court and final disposition of petition (Repealed)
Section 9551 - Pauper petitions (Repealed)
Section 9561 - Report by district attorney
Section 9570 - Short title of subchapter
Section 9571 - Scope of subchapter
Section 9572 - Representation of counsel
Section 9573 - Time for petition; contents of petition
Section 9574 - Answer to petition
Section 9575 - Disposition without evidentiary hearing
Section 9576 - Evidentiary hearing
Section 9577 - Disposition and appeal