Opinion ID: 204477
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Merits of Excusable-Neglect Finding

Text: The merits of the government's challenge can be easily resolved. We review the district court's finding of excusable neglect for a clear abuse of discretion. See United States v. Torres, 372 F.3d 1159, 1161 (10th Cir.2004). In district court Mr. Madrid's only support for his claim of excusable neglect was that his trial counsel thought that he had 30 days in which to file a notice of appeal instead of only 10. But we have held that precisely this error does not constitute excusable neglect. See id. at 1160-64. We therefore hold that the district court abused its discretion in granting Mr. Madrid an extension of time to file his notice of appeal. The appeal was therefore untimely and must be dismissed. [2]