Unreported / Non-Citable
Background
Bridgett Annette Jones-Reyes appealed from a judgment awarding possession of real property to Cottonland Properties, LLC.
On July 17, 2026, the clerk notified Jones-Reyes that she was required to complete and return a docketing statement by July 27 under Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 32.1. After she failed to file it, the clerk sent another letter warning that the court could dismiss the appeal without further notice unless the statement was filed by August 17.
The Court’s Holding
The Texas Tenth Court of Appeals dismissed the appeal for want of prosecution and failure to comply with the clerk’s directive. As of the date of the opinion, Jones-Reyes had neither filed the required docketing statement nor requested an extension of time.
The court relied on Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure 32.1 and 42.3(b) and (c), which supported dismissal for failure to prosecute the appeal and failure to comply with a court clerk’s directive.
Key Takeaways
- An appellant must timely file the docketing statement required by Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 32.1.
- Failure to respond after receiving notice and a dismissal warning can result in dismissal for want of prosecution.
- Jones-Reyes did not request an extension before the court dismissed her appeal.
Why It Matters
The decision underscores that appellate deadlines and clerk directives carry consequences independent of an appeal’s substantive merits. An appellant who fails to file required documents or seek additional time may lose appellate review through procedural dismissal.