People v. Camarillo

Petitioner seeks an order permitting him to file a late notice of appeal pursuant to rule 31(a) of the California Rules of Court. Rule 31(a) requires that notice of appeal in a criminal case be filed within 10 days after rendition of judgment but empowers appellate’ courts to grant relief from default in a proper case. This power is to be liberally exercised. (People v. Ruch, 65 Cal.2d 138, 139 [52 Cal.Rptr. 585, 416 P.2d 817].) Under this liberal rule petitioner has presented a proper case for relief.

In 1965 petitioner, then age 17, was charged with murder and felonious assault with a deadly…