NO. 07-05-0224-CR
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE SEVENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
AT AMARILLO
PANEL B
OCTOBER 11, 2005
______________________________
MARY L. THOMAS, APPELLANT
V.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, APPELLEE
_________________________________
FROM THE 31ST DISTRICT COURT OF WHEELER COUNTY;
NO. 4187; HONORABLE STEVEN EMMERT, JUDGE
_______________________________
Before QUINN, C.J., and CAMPBELL and HANCOCK, JJ.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Appellant, Mary L. Thomas, appeals from her conviction for securing execution of
a document by deception $20,000 or more but less than $100,000. Sentence was
imposed on March 8, 2005. The reporter’s record was filed on July 12, 2005 and the
clerk’s record was filed on July 13, 2005. We will dismiss the appeal for want of
jurisdiction.
Our appellate jurisdiction over a criminal appeal is triggered through a timely notice
of appeal. Olivo v. State, 918 S.W.2d 519, 522 (Tex.Crim.App. 1996). In the absence of
a notice of appeal timely filed in compliance with the requirements of Rule of Appellate
Procedure 26, a court of appeals does not obtain jurisdiction to address the merits of the
appeal in a criminal case, and can take no action other than to dismiss the appeal. Slaton
v. State, 981 S.W.2d 208, 210 (Tex.Crim.App. 1998). As applicable here, Rule of
Appellate Procedure 26.2(a) requires a notice of appeal in a criminal case be filed within
30 days after the day sentence is imposed or suspended in open court, or within 90 days
after imposition of the sentence if a timely motion for new trial is filed. Rule 26.3 allows for
an extension of time if the appellant files a notice of appeal with the trial court within 15
days after the deadline for filing the notice of appeal and files a motion for extension with
the appellate court.
Here, the record reflects that the court imposed sentence on appellant on March 8,
2005. A motion for new trial was timely filed on April 4, 2005, making appellant’s notice
of appeal due June 6, 2005. The notice of appeal was filed June 7, 2005. A motion for
extension of time was filed with this court on June 22, 2005, more than 15 days after the
due date for the notice of appeal. Tex. R. App. P. 26.3. Appellant’s failure to file a timely
notice of appeal or to meet the requirements for an extension under Rule 26.3 prevents
this court from having jurisdiction over his appeal. Slaton, 981 S.W.2d at 210.
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Consequently, the appeal is dismissed for want of jurisdiction.
Mackey K. Hancock
Justice
Do not publish.
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