Orlando Jefferson v. The State – Do It For The Caselaw

Holding: The Eleventh Circuit dismissed the appeal regarding the April two thousand twenty-five final order and judgment due to an untimely notice of appeal, while allowing the appeal to proceed regarding the December thirty-one two thousand twenty-five post-judgment order.
Vote: Panel Decision
Practical effect: The appeal is dismissed in part as to the April two thousand twenty-five final order and judgment, but the appeal shall proceed as to only the December thirty-one two thousand twenty-five order.

Orlando Jefferson v. The State

March 19, 2026 ·1:25-cv-00559-VMC ·Panel Decision · By James Taylor

The Eleventh Circuit dismissed the appeal regarding the April two thousand twenty-five final order because the notice of appeal was filed untimely. The court allowed the appeal to proceed only concerning the December thirty-one two thousand twenty-five post-judgment order.

Background

Orlando Jefferson, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, appealed from the district court’s April two thousand twenty-five final order and judgment and its December thirty-one two thousand twenty-five post-judgment order. To appeal the judgment, the statutory time limit required Jefferson to file his notice of appeal on or before May two thousand twenty-five.

The court’s reasoning

The court found that Jefferson did not file his notice of appeal under the prison mailbox rule until January fifteen two thousand twenty-six, which was after the statutory deadline. Consequently, the notice was untimely and could not invoke the court’s jurisdiction regarding the April two thousand twenty-five judgment. However, the notice was timely as to the December thirty-one two thousand twenty-five post-judgment order.

What it means going forward

The appeal is dismissed in part as to the April two thousand twenty-five final order and judgment, but the appeal shall proceed as to only the December thirty-one two thousand twenty-five order.