US v. Rashaun Taylor - Appeal Dismissed for Untimely Filing

4th Circuit Daily Opinions

Filed March 3rd, 2026

Detected March 4th, 2026

Summary

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed Rashaun Taylor's appeal for lack of jurisdiction due to an untimely filed notice of appeal. The court denied his motions to consolidate and for Brady v. Maryland consideration, upholding the district court's order denying his motion to compel discovery.

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What changed

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has dismissed the appeal of Rashaun Antonio Taylor in case No. 25-6353. The dismissal is based on the appellant's failure to file a timely notice of appeal, which is a jurisdictional requirement. The court noted that the district court's order was filed on January 22, 2024, while the notice of appeal was filed on April 21, 2025, significantly exceeding the 60-day window for civil cases where the United States is a party.

This decision means Taylor's appeal regarding the denial of his motion to compel discovery for his 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motion will not proceed. The court also denied his ancillary motions. For legal professionals and criminal defendants involved in appeals, this serves as a critical reminder of the strict adherence required for filing deadlines, as failure to comply can result in dismissal regardless of the merits of the underlying claims.

What to do next

Review internal procedures for tracking and filing appeal deadlines, especially in cases involving the US government.

Source document (simplified)

UNPUBLISHED UNITED STATES COURT OF AP PEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT No. 25 - 6353 UNITED ST ATES OF AMER ICA, Plaintiff - Appellee, v. RASHAUN ANTONIO TAYLOR, a/k/a Diablo, a/k/a Blo, a/k/a Bosston Blo, a/k/a Bubba, Defendant - Appellant. Appeal from the United S tates District Court for the Eastern D istrict of Virginia, at Norfolk. Raymond A. Jac kson, Senior District Judge. (2:19 - cr - 00036 - RAJ - RJK - 1; 2:23 - cv - 00487 - RAJ) Submitted: January 14, 2026 Decided: March 3, 2026 Before WYNN and RICH ARDSON, Circuit Judges, and TRAXLER, Senior Circuit Judge. Dismissed by unpublished per curiam opinion. Rashaun Antonio Taylor, Appellant Pro Se. Unpublished opinions are not binding p recedent in this circuit.

2 PER CURIAM: Rashaun Antonio Taylor seeks to appeal the district court’s order denying his motion t o compel discover y to supp ort his 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motion. As a preliminary matter, we deny Taylor’s motion s to consolidate this appeal with another appeal and for consideration of h is claims under Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963). Additionally, we dismiss the appeal for lack of jurisdiction because the n otice of appeal was no t timely filed. When the United States or its officer or agency is a party in a civil case, the notice of appeal must be filed n o more than 60 days after the entry o f the district court’s final judgment or order, Fed. R. App. P. 4(a)(1)(B), unless t he district court extends the app eal period under Fed. R. App. P. 4 (a)(5) or reopens the appeal period u nder Fed. R. App. P. 4(a)(6). “The timely filing of a notice o f appeal in a civil case is a jurisdictional requirement.” Bowles v. Russell, 551 U.S. 205, 214 (2007) (citat io n modified). The district court filed the appealed - from order on January 2 2, 2024. Tay lor filed the notice of appeal on April 21, 2025. * Because Taylor failed to file a timely notice of appeal or to obtain an extension o r reopening of the appeal period, we dismiss the appeal. * For the p urpose of thi s appeal, we assume that the date appearing on the notice of appeal is the earliest date Tay lor could have delivered the notice to p rison officials for mailing to the court. Fed. R. App. P. 4(c)(1); Houston v. Lack, 487 U.S. 266, 276 (1988).

3 We dispense with oral argument becau se the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the decisional process. DISMISSED