Opinion ID: 495293
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the government's motion to dismiss this appeal

Text: 37 On January 8, 1987, the government moved this court to dismiss this appeal on several procedural grounds. The government argues that Albertini (1) failed to include in the record on appeal certain transcripts; (2) failed to include in his opening brief the standard of review or to designate which rulings or orders he was appealing; and (3) raised the due process claim for the first time on appeal. Even in the aggregate, the errors complained of are not so egregious as to warrant dismissal of the appeal. 38 As to the government's first complaint, the failure to include the exhibits as part of the record on appeal is of little consequence because the exhibits were available in time for oral argument. The exhibits were also irrelevant on the issue upon which the appeal is based. 39 We also do not find the absence of the transcript of jury instructions critical to support Albertini's due process argument. The trial transcript repeatedly mentions the fact that the parties agreed before trial that they would not discuss the existence of Albertini (9th) in front of the jury. There thus is sufficient evidence of the absence of any kind of information or instruction on this issue even without the jury instructions. 40 As to the second issue, neither of these flaws is fatal under the circumstances of this case. 41 The third issue, likewise, does not warrant dismissal. Albertini has preserved his right to appeal the denial of his due process claim through his various pretrial objections to both the prosecution and to the motion in limine which the trial court granted, disallowing any exposure of Albertini (9th) to the jury. But assuming, arguendo, that he failed to raise the due process claim until the instant appeal, a due process objection may be raised for the first time on appeal under Fed.R.Crim.P. 52(b) as a defect affecting Albertini's substantial rights. 42 Reversed.