The court may issue the writ without notice upon the filing of the petition, or it may fix a time and place for hearing and prescribe reasonable notice to the defendant. If the petition is filed before a final order or decree in the original proceeding or if the plaintiff seeks a stay, the court shall fix a time and place for hearing and prescribe reasonable notice to the defendant before issuing the writ. Any hearing shall be confined to the sufficiency of the petition, what records or proceedings shall be certified, and the terms of any bond to be given.