U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, 2002

United States v. Turner

United States v. Turner
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit · Decided July 19, 2002 · Niemeyer, Williams, Michael
41 F. App'x 642

United States v. Turner

Opinion

OPINION

PER CURIAM.

Michael Latron Turner appeals his conviction and 140 month sentence imposed pursuant to a guilty plea for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, and marijuana, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846 (1994). Although Turner’s sentence was imposed on June 23, 1997, an amended judgment was filed on January 17, 2001 to allow Turner an opportunity to file a direct appeal. On February 3, 2001, Turner filed a notice of appeal. Turner did not request an extension of time to appeal and none was granted by the district court.

In criminal cases, a defendant must file his notice of appeal within ten days of the entry of judgment. Fed. R.App. P. 4(b). With or without a motion, the district court may grant an extension of this time up to thirty days upon a showing of good cause or excusable neglect. Fed. R.App. P. 4(b)(4); United States v. Reyes, 759 F.2d 351, 353 (4th Cir. 1985). If the defendant files his notice of appeal outside the ten-day appeal period, but within the thirty-day extension period, the district court must make factual findings concerning whether there was excusable neglect that *643 warrants an extension of the appeal period. Reyes, 759 F.2d at 353-54. Turner filed his notice of appeal seventeen days after the district court entered its judgment. While this filing was after the ten-day limit, it was within the thirty-day extension period applicable upon a showing of excusable neglect or good cause.

Under these circumstances, we remand the case to the district court with instructions to make factual findings concerning whether there was excusable neglect or good cause warranting an extension of the ten-day appeal period. 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.

REMANDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS.

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