STEVEN ALLEN v. THE STATE OF TEXAS (2016)

MEMORANDUM OPINION

Steven Curtis Allen attempts to appeal his conviction of forgery by passing, enhanced by two prior felony convictions. Finding that Appellant did not timely file his notice of appeal, we dismiss the appeal for want of jurisdiction.

A timely notice of appeal is necessary to invoke this Court's jurisdiction. Olivo v. State, 918 S.W.2d 519, 522 (Tex.Crim.App. 1996). In a criminal case, a defendant's notice of appeal is due within thirty days after the sentence is imposed in open court or the trial court enters an appealable order. See TEX.R.APP.P. 26.2(a)(1). The deadline is extended to ninety days after the date the sentence is imposed in open court if the defendant timely files a motion for new trial. See TEX.R.APP.P. 26.2(a)(2). The judgment of conviction reflects that sentence was imposed in open court on April 7, 2016. Appellant did not file a motion for new trial. Therefore, his notice of appeal was due to be filed no later than May 7, 2016, thirty days after the date sentence was imposed in open court. See TEX.R.APP.P. 26.2(a)(1). Appellant did not file his notice of appeal until September 14, 2016, more than four months after the deadline.

Appellant has filed a document explaining that he informed trial counsel he desired to appeal, but counsel did not file a notice of appeal on his behalf. Additionally, Appellant states that he mistakenly sent his pro se notice of appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeals. This Court does not have authority to grant Appellant an out-of-time appeal. Because Appellant did not timely file his notice of appeal, we are required to dismiss the appeal for lack of jurisdiction.

ANN CRAWFORD McCLURE, Chief Justice