La'conte Akins v. State

Court of Appeals
of the State of Georgia

ATLANTA,____________________
March 11, 2026

The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order:

A26A1442. LA’CONTE AKINS v. THE STATE.

On August 22, 2022, La’Conte Akins pled guilty to two counts of armed
robbery. In 2025, Akins filed a motion for an out-of-time appeal, which the trial court
denied on January 26, 2026. Akins filed a notice of appeal from this ruling on February
26, 2026. We lack jurisdiction for two reasons.
First, Akins is not entitled to an out-of-time appeal. Under OCGA § 5-6-39.1,
a defendant may seek out-of-time relief if (1) the defendant moves for leave to file an
out-of-time motion for new trial or notice of appeal within 100 days from the
expiration of the time period for the filing of such motion or notice, or (2) the
defendant had an out-of-time motion or appeal dismissed under Cook v. State, 313 Ga.
471, 506(5) (870 SE2d 758) (2022). Because Akins neither filed a motion for out-of-
time appeal within 100 days of the expiration of time in which to file such a motion nor
had a motion for out-of-time appeal dismissed under Cook, OCGA § 5-6-39.1 has no
application.
Second, Akins’ notice of appeal is untimely. A notice of appeal must be filed
within 30 days of entry of the judgment or trial court order sought to be appealed.
OCGA § 5-6-38(a). The proper and timely filing of a notice of appeal is an absolute
requirement to confer appellate jurisdiction on this Court. Perlman v. Perlman, 318 Ga.
App. 731, 739(4) (734 SE2d 560) (2012). Because Akins’ notice of appeal was filed 31
days after entry of the trial court’s order, we lack jurisdiction to consider his appeal.
Under these circumstances, we lack jurisdiction to consider this appeal, which
is hereby DISMISSED.

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia
Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________
03/11/2026
I certify that the above is a true extract from
the minutes of the Court of Appeals of Georgia.
Witness my signature and the seal of said court
hereto affixed the day and year last above written.

, Clerk.