Penalties for noncompliance with these rules; suspension of rules

(a) Dismissal of appeal. (1) (2) An appeal shall be dismissed if the notice of appeal was not timely filed to invoke the jurisdiction of the appellate court. An appeal may be dismissed: (A) if an appellant fails to file a brief within the time provided by Rule 31, or within the time as extended; (B) when an appellant takes a frivolous appeal as provided in Rule 38; (C) when the appellate court, on motion of a party or on its own motion, determines that there is an obvious failure to prosecute an appeal; or (D) when a party fails to comply substantially with these rules. When an appellate court, on motion of a party, or on its own motion, shall determine that a party is obviously failing to prosecute the appeal (C), or has substantially failed to comply with these rules (D), the appellate court shall cause notice to be sent to the party in default, notifying the party, in general terms, of the deficiency. If the party in default fails to correct the deficiency prior to submission, or within such time as the appellate court shall direct, the appellate court may dismiss the appeal. The attorney for the party in default has the burden to correct promptly any deficiency or to see that the default is corrected by the appropriate official. (b) Suspension of rules. In the interest of expediting decision, or for other good cause shown, an appellate court may suspend the requirements or provisions of any of these rules in a particular case on application of a party or on its own motion and may order proceedings in accordance with its direction; provided, however, an appellate court may not extend the time for taking an appeal, as provided in Rule 4(a)(1); and the supreme court may not extend the time for filing a petition for certiorari to the courts of appeals as provided in Rule 39(b); provided, however, that the supreme court may extend the time for filing a petition for certiorari in a criminal case in which the death penalty was imposed as punishment. (c) Striking of Petition for Certiorari. A petition for certiorari to the courts of appeals shall be stricken if the petition for certiorari was not timely filed to invoke the jurisdiction of the supreme court. [Amended 5-4-81, eff. 5-18-81; Amended 6-2-81, eff. 7-15-81; Amended 11-1996, eff. 1-1-97; Amended 9-20-2016, eff 1-1-2017; Amended 11-30-2020, eff. 11- 2021.] Committee Comments The Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedure will be construed to assure the just, speedy and inexpensive determination of every appellate proceeding. Compliance with these rules is encouraged, because the rules are designed to ensure the just, speedy and inexpensive determination of every appellate proceeding, and should be followed, even in their technical requirements. The responsibility for complying with the rules still rests principally with the attorneys, and the fact that this rule substantially changes the penalty for noncompliance with the appellate rules should not encourage attorneys to engage in careless appellate practice. In fact, penalties for noncompliance may be imposed. If an appeal is not taken within the time as specified in Rule 4(a)(1), the appellate court shall dismiss it. If the appellant fails to file his briefs on time the appeal may be dismissed.