People v. Acosta

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 proper cases. This power is to be liberally exercised to protect the right to appeal. (People v. Camarillo, 66 Cal.2d 455, 456 [58 Cal.Rptr. 112, 426 P.2d 512]; People v. Buck, 65 Cal.2d 138, 139 [52 Cal.Rptr. 585, 416 P.2d 817]; People v. Casillas, 61 Cal.2d 344, 345-346 [38 Cal.Rptr. 721,…