Rule 4: Time and Notice Provisions

Comment to 1997 change: This is former Rule 5. Paragraph 4.1(b) is added. Former paragraph (b)(1) is omitted because it is covered by other provisions of the rules. Former paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) are omitted because they are duplicative of provisions in the Rules of Civil Procedure, which prescribes the applicable procedure. The phrase “modified, corrected or reformed in any respect” in paragraph 4.3(a) is changed to “modified in any respect,” but no change in substance is intended. Former subdivision (e) regarding notice of judgment by the court of appeals is moved to Rule 12.6. Subdivision 4.5 is revised and now makes clear that the court must grant the motion for additional time if the court finds that the party did not receive the notice or acquire actual knowledge in time. Other changes are made throughout the rule.

Comment to 2002 change: Subdivision 4.5 is amended to clarify that a party may obtain additional time to file documents when the party fails to receive notice not only of an appellate court judgment, but of an appellate court order - such as one denying a motion for rehearing - that triggers the appeal period.

Comment to 2007 change: Subdivision 4.5 is changed, consistent with other changes in the rules, to specifically address a motion for en banc reconsideration and treat it as a motion for rehearing.

Comment to 2018 change: Rule 4.6 is intended to provide redress for criminal defendants who are entitled to appeal trial court rulings made pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 64, but receive late or no notice of the rulings. The rule allows a defendant additional time to file a notice of appeal when neither the defendant nor the defendant’s attorney received notice or acquired actual knowledge of the signing of the appealable order within the first 20 days after the signing. The rule is based on the framework of Rule of Appellate Procedure 4.2 and Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 306a, but is intended to apply only in the limited context of appealable rulings on Chapter 64 motions. The term “sworn” in Rule 4.6 includes the use of an unsworn declaration made under penalty of perjury. See TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE § 132.001. If a trial judge grants a defendant’s motion for additional time filed under this rule, the court of appeals may treat the defendant’s late-filed notice of appeal as timely or treat the motion for additional time itself as a notice of appeal for the purpose of determining compliance with Rules 25.2 and 26.2.