JMK5 Drive, LLC, Jerome M. Karam, and JMK5 Mall of the Mainland, LLC v. North Mill Equipment Finance LLC, as Grantor, Beneficiary and Servicer of North Mill Credit Trust F/K/A EFS Credit Trust
Court
Court of Appeals of Texas
Decided
June 19, 2025
Jurisdiction
SA
Importance
45%
Practice Areas
Case Summary
In the Court of Appeals Second Appellate District of Texas at Fort Worth ___________________________ No. 02-25-00219-CV ___________________________ JMK5 DRIVE, LLC, JEROME M. KARAM, AND JMK5 MALL OF THE MAINLAND, LLC, Appellants V. NORTH MILL EQUIPMENT FINANCE LLC, AS GRANTOR, BENEFICIARY AND SERVICER OF NORTH MILL CREDIT TRUST F/K/A EFS CREDIT TRUST, Appellee On Appeal from the 141st District Court Tarrant County, Texas Trial Court No. 141-357621-24 Before Womack, Wallach, and Walker, JJ. Per Curiam Memorandum Opinion MEMORANDUM OPINION AND JUDGMENT On May 13, 2025, and May 28, 2025, we notified appellants, in accordance with Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 42.3(c), that we would dismiss this appeal unless they paid the $205 filing fee.1 See Tex. R. App. P. 42.3(c), 44.3. Appellants have not done so.2 See Tex. R. App. P. 5, 12.1(b). Because appellants have not complied with a procedural requirement and the Texas Supreme Court’s order of August 28, 2015,3 we dismiss the appeal. See Tex. R. App. P. 42.3(c), 43.2(f). Appellants must pay all costs of this appeal. See Tex. R. App. P. 43.4. Per Curiam Delivered: June 19, 2025 In our May 13, 2025 letter, we stated that the fee was to be paid by May 23, 1 2025. In our May 28, 2025 letter, we stated that the fee was to paid by June 9, 2025. 2 We also directed appellants to file a docketing statement. See Tex. R. App. P. 32.1. In our May 13, 2025 letter, we stated that the docketing statement was to be filed by May 23, 2025. In our May 28, 2025 letter, we stated that the docketing statement was to be filed by June 9, 2025. Appellants have not filed a docketing statement. See Supreme Court of Tex., Fees Charged in the Supreme Court, in Civil Cases 3 in the Courts of Appeals, and Before the Judicial Panel on Multi-District Litigation, Misc. Docket No. 15-9158 (Aug. 28, 2015) (listing courts of appeals’ fees). 2
Case Details
Case Details
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Status
Decided
Date Decided
June 19, 2025
Jurisdiction
SA
Court Type
federal
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Case Summary
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Case Overview
In the case JMK5 Drive, LLC, Jerome M. Karam, and JMK5 Mall of the Mainland, LLC v. North Mill Equipment Finance LLC, the Texas Court of Appeals addressed procedural compliance issues leading to the dismissal of an appeal. The case was filed in the Second Appellate District of Texas and was presided over by Justices Womack, Wallach, and Walker.
Key Legal Issues
The primary legal issues in this case revolved around:
- Procedural compliance with Texas appellate rules.
- Failure to pay filing fees as mandated by the court.
- Non-filing of a docketing statement, which is essential for the progression of an appeal.
Court's Decision
On June 19, 2025, the Court of Appeals issued a per curiam memorandum opinion, dismissing the appeal due to the appellants' failure to comply with procedural requirements. The court noted that the appellants did not pay the required $205 filing fee and failed to file a docketing statement despite multiple notifications.
Legal Reasoning
The court's decision was grounded in the following legal principles:
- Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 42.3(c) allows for dismissal of an appeal if the appellant fails to comply with procedural requirements.
- The court emphasized the importance of adhering to procedural rules, citing the Texas Supreme Court’s order of August 28, 2015, regarding appellate fees and compliance.
The court stated that the appellants were notified on two occasions (May 13 and May 28, 2025) regarding the necessity of the filing fee and the docketing statement, yet they did not fulfill these obligations. This non-compliance warranted the dismissal of the appeal.
Key Holdings
- The appeal was dismissed due to failure to pay the filing fee.
- The appellants were responsible for all costs associated with the appeal.
- The court reinforced the necessity of complying with procedural rules to maintain the integrity of the appellate process.
Precedents and Citations
- Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 42.3(c): Governs dismissal of appeals for procedural non-compliance.
- Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 5: Addresses the necessity of filing fees in appellate cases.
- Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 32.1: Requires the filing of a docketing statement.
Practical Implications
This case serves as a critical reminder for legal practitioners regarding the importance of procedural compliance in appellate matters. Key takeaways include:
- Timely payment of filing fees is essential to avoid dismissal.
- Docketing statements must be filed as required to ensure the appeal can proceed.
- Legal professionals should maintain diligence in adhering to procedural rules to safeguard their clients' interests in appellate courts.
In conclusion, the dismissal of the appeal in JMK5 Drive, LLC v. North Mill Equipment Finance underscores the necessity for appellants to comply with procedural requirements to avoid adverse outcomes in appellate litigation.
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Case Details
Legal case information
Status
Decided
Date Decided
June 19, 2025
Jurisdiction
SA
Court Type
federal
Legal Significance
Case importance metrics
Metadata
Additional information
Quick Actions
Case management tools