People v. Johnson

This is another in the series of eases involving the proper interpretation and application of rule 31(a)1 of the California Rules of Court. Two cases involving these problems have already been decided. (People v. Casillas, ante, p. 344 [38 Cal.Rptr. 721, 392 P.2d 521]; People v. Tucker, ante, p. 828 [40 Cal.Rptr. 609, 395 P.2d 449].) The Casillas ease, supra, determined that, in a proper ease, rule 31(a) confers the power on an appellate court to grant relief from a late filing of the notice of appeal in a criminal case, and that such power should be liberally exercised so as to protect the…