
TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN



NO. 03-03-00217-CV


Dan Thomas, Appellant

v.

Terry Keel, Former Sheriff of Travis County, Appellee





FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF TRAVIS COUNTY, 126TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
NO. 96-10397, HONORABLE LORA J. LIVINGSTON, JUDGE PRESIDING



M E M O R A N D U M   O P I N I O N


	Because appellant Dan Thomas failed to timely file his notice of appeal and his
motion to extend time to file a notice of appeal, we dismiss his appeal for want of jurisdiction on our
own motion.  See Tex. R. App. P. 42.3(a).  We also dismiss his motions to extend time to file a
notice of appeal and his motion to extend time to file a brief. 
	According to the clerk's record, the trial court signed an order of dismissal in this
cause on June 19, 2002.  Thus, a notice of restricted appeal was due to be filed within six months
after the order was signed, or on or before December 19, 2002.  See id. 26.1(c).  Any motion for
extension of time to file the notice of appeal was due within fifteen days of the due date of the notice
of appeal, or January 3, 2003.  See id. 26.3.  Thomas filed his notice of restricted appeal and a motion
for extension of time to file his notice of appeal on April 8, 2003.  
	Because Thomas did not file his notice of appeal until more than six months after the
dismissal order was signed, his notice of appeal was untimely, as was his motion for extension of
time.  The time period for filing a perfecting instrument is jurisdictional.  Velasquez v. Harrison, 934
S.W.2d 767, 770 (Tex. App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 1996, no writ).  When an appellant fails to file
timely a perfecting instrument or properly seek an extension of time to file a perfecting instrument,
the appellate court must dismiss the cause for lack of jurisdiction.  Id. 
	Because appellant's notice of appeal was not timely filed, this Court is without
jurisdiction over the appeal.  Accordingly, we dismiss this appeal and all related motions for want
of jurisdiction.  See Tex. R. App. P. 42.3(a). 


						__________________________________________
						Bea Ann Smith, Justice
Before Chief Justice Law, Justices B. A. Smith and Puryear
Dismissed for Want of Jurisdiction
Filed:   June 19, 2003
