Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia ATLANTA,____________________ January 15, 2019 The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order: A19A1086. MICHAEL WALDRIP v. THE STATE.

In November 2015, following a bench trial, Michael Waldrip was convicted of trafficking in methamphetamine, possession and use of drug-related objects, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was sentenced to a total term of imprisonment of 30 years with the first 20 years to serve in prison and the remainder on probation. Waldrip filed a timely motion for new trial, which the trial court denied on September 28, 2018.

Waldrip then filed a notice of appeal on November 1, 2018. We, however, lack jurisdiction.

To be timely, a notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days of entry of the order on appeal. See OCGA § 5-6-38 (a). The proper and timely filing of a notice of appeal is an absolute requirement to confer jurisdiction on this Court. See Rowland v. State, 264 Ga. 872, 872 (1) (452 SE2d 756) (1995). Because Waldrip filed his notice of appeal 34 days after entry of the order he seeks to appeal, it is untimely. Accordingly, this appeal is hereby DISMISSED for lack of jurisdiction.

We note, however, that Waldrip was represented by counsel before the trial court and may be entitled to pursue an out-of-time appeal. He therefore is informed of the following in accordance with Rowland, 264 Ga. at 875-876 (2): This appeal has been dismissed because you failed to file a timely notice of appeal. If you still wish to appeal, you may petition the trial court for leave to file an out-of-time appeal. If the trial court grants your request, you will have 30 days from the entry of that order to file a notice of appeal referencing your conviction. If the trial court denies your request, you will have 30 days from the entry of that order to file a notice of appeal referencing the denial of your request for an out-of-time appeal.

The Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to send a copy of this order to Waldrip and to Waldrip’s attorney, and the latter also is DIRECTED to send a copy to Waldrip.

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________ 01/15/2019 I certify that the above is a true extract from the minutes of the Court of Appeals of Georgia.

Wi tness my signature and the seal of said court hereto affixed the day and year last above written.

, Clerk.