Cal. Gov't Code § 71655 — Employment Protection System

(a) An employee may challenge the decision of the disciplining trial court, made pursuant to Section 71654, rejecting or modifying the hearing officer’s recommendation by filing a writ of mandamus pursuant to Section 1094.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure in the appropriate court, and such review by that court shall be based on the entire record. If required by the writ procedure and if not previously provided to the disciplined employee, the disciplining court shall furnish a certified copy of the record of the proceeding before the hearing officer to the disciplined employee or, if the employee is represented, to the bargaining representative without charge. In reviewing the disciplining trial court’s rejection or modification of the hearing officer’s recommendation, the reviewing court shall be bound by the hearing officer’s material factual findings that are supported by substantial evidence.

(b) The denial of due process or the imposition of a disciplinary decision that by law requires a due process hearing without holding the required hearing may be challenged by a petition for a writ of mandate.