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Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 

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IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

No. 14-50472

ROBERT KRAMER,

Plaintiff-Appellant

v.

CORRECTIONAL OFFICER A. CASTANEDA; RUBEN SANCHEZ, John 

Doe #1; IMER COLLINS, Jane Doe #1-Property Officer; C. LAWSON, 

Regional Grievance; GORGE MOTA, John Doe #2,

Defendants-Appellees

Appeal from the United States District Court

for the Western District of Texas

USDC No. 4:13-CV-20

Before PRADO, OWEN, and GRAVES, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:*

Robert Kramer, Texas prisoner # 643733, appeals the dismissal of his civil 

action. He also moves for the appointment of counsel and leave to proceed in 

forma pauperis on appeal.

After entry of the judgment dismissing his action, Kramer had 30 days to 

file a timely notice of appeal. See FED. R. APP. P. 4(a)(1)(A). His May 6, 2014, 

pro se notice of appeal was untimely. See id.; Spotville v. Cain, 149 F.3d 374, 

* Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not 

be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH 

CIR. R. 47.5.4.

United States Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit

FILED

April 3, 2015

Lyle W. Cayce

Clerk

 

Case: 14-50472 Document: 00512993400 Page: 1 Date Filed: 04/03/2015
No. 14-50472

376-78 (5th Cir. 1998). The timing of Kramer’s notice of appeal raises a 

jurisdictional question that this court must examine on its own motion, if 

necessary. See Bowles v. Russell, 551 U.S. 205, 214 (2007); Mosley v. Cozby, 

813 F.2d 659, 660 (5th Cir. 1987).

A district court may extend the 30-day filing period of Federal Rule of 

Appellate Procedure 4(a)(1)(A) upon a showing of excusable neglect or good 

cause. See FED. R. APP. P. 4(a)(5)(A). We construe Kramer’s notice of appeal, 

which asserted reasons for his untimely filing, as a motion under Federal Rule 

of Appellate Procedure 4(a)(5)(A). The case is REMANDED to permit the 

district court to make a ruling under Rule 4(a)(5). While the case is on this 

limited remand, Kramer’s appeal and motions are held in abeyance. Upon 

ruling, the district court shall return the case to this court for dismissal or 

further proceedings, as may be appropriate.

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Case: 14-50472 Document: 00512993400 Page: 2 Date Filed: 04/03/2015