Alfonso Simpson, Plaintiff-appellant, v. Leroy Cain, Police Officer, Defendant-appellee, 955 F.2d 42 (4th Cir. 1992)

This appeal is before the Court on Appellant's untimely notice of appeal. An untimely notice of appeal does not invoke this Court's appellate jurisdiction. Consequently, we dismiss the appeal.

The time periods for filing notices of appeal are governed by Fed. R. App. P. 4. These periods are "mandatory and jurisdictional." Browder v. Director, Dep't of Corrections, 434 U.S. 257, 264 (1978) (quoting United States v. Robinson, 361 U.S. 220, 229 (1960)). Parties to civil actions have thirty days within which to file in the district court notices of appeal from judgments or final orders. Fed. R. App. P. 4(1) (1). For excusable neglect or good cause shown the district court may extend the filing period an additional thirty days. Fed. R. App. P. 4(1) (5).

Appellant's failure to file a timely notice of appeal or to obtain an extension of the appeal period leaves this Court without jurisdiction to consider the merits of Appellant's appeal. We therefore dismiss the appeal. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the Court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

DISMISSED.