Alfonson Detroy Ponton and Reginald J. Williams v. Officer B. E. Gross

Appellees have moved to dismiss this appeal arguing that the notice of appeal is untimely. We dismiss the appeal but for reasons
other than the one asserted by the appellees. Appellants filed a complaint seeking damages pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On July 31, 1990, the trial judge signed an order
titled "Order Requiring Plaintiffs to File a Reasonably Legible Amended Complaint and Sanctions." This order was not rendered
as defined by Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.020(g) until August 10, 1990. The order of the trial court allowed the
plaintiffs until October 15, 1990, to file an amended complaint which complied with Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 1.100
and 1.110. The trial court also required that the amended complaint be legible. If plaintiffs failed to file the amended complaint
within the time allowed, the order provided that the "Civil Action shall stand dismissed effective :0001 a.m. on 16 October
1990."