Fourth Court of Appeals

San Antonio, Texas

August 4, 2017

No. 04-17-00140-CV

IN THE INTEREST OF A.H.R., ET.AL., CHILDREN,

From the 57th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas

Trial Court No. 2007EM501149

Master Eric Rodriguez, Judge Presiding

O R D E R

On July 25, 2017, this court received appellant’s brief. The brief violates Rule 38 of the 

Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure in all respects. See TEX. R. APP. P. 38.1. Specifically, the 

brief violates Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 38.1 in that it does not contain: 

(1) a table of contents; 

(2) an index of authorities; 

(3) include a statement of facts with record references; 

(4) argument with appropriate citation to authorities and the appellate record; or 

(5) a proper appendix. 

See id. R. 38.1(b) (requiring table of contents), 38.1(c) (requiring index of authorities), 

38.1(g) (requiring statement of facts with record reference), 38.1(i) (requiring argument with 

appropriate citation to authority and record), and 38.1(k) (requiring appendix with copy of 

judgment or other appealable order, any jury charge and verdict form, any findings of fact and 

conclusions of law, and text of applicable rules, regulations, ordinances, statutes, constitutional 

provisions, or other law on which argument is based, or any contract or other document central to 

argument). 

While substantial compliance with Rule 38 is sufficient, this court may order a party to 

amend or redraw a brief if it flagrantly violates Rule 38.1. See TEX. R. APP. P. 38.9(a). We 

conclude that the formal defects in this case constitute flagrant violations of Rule 38.1. 

Accordingly, we ORDER appellant’s brief stricken and ORDER appellant to file an 

amended brief in this court on or before September 5, 2017. The amended brief must correct 

the violations listed above and fully comply with the applicable rules. See id. R. 38.1. If the 

amended brief does not comply with this order, we “may strike the brief, prohibit [appellant] 

from filing another, and proceed as if [appellant] had failed to file a brief.” See id. R. 38.9(a); see 
also id. R. 38.8(a) (authorizing this court to dismiss appeal if appellant fails to timely file brief). 

Even if we do not strike the brief and prohibit appellant from filing another brief, we may find 

that any issues raised by appellant are waived due to inadequate briefing, and overrule those 

issues. See, e.g., Marin Real Estate Partners v. Vogt, 373 S.W.3d 57, 75 (Tex. App.—San 

Antonio 2011, no pet.). 

We recognize that appellant represents himself on appeal, i.e., he is acting pro se. 

However, the law is clear that pro se litigants are held to the same standards as licensed attorneys 

and must comply with all applicable rules of procedure, including the rules governing appellate 

briefs. Valadez v. Avitia, 238 S.W.3d 843, 845 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2007, no pet.). A pro se 

litigant is required to properly present her case on appeal just as she is required to properly 

present her case to the trial court. Id. Accordingly, we will not apply different standards merely 

because an appeal is brought by a litigant acting without advice of counsel. Id. 

If appellant timely files a brief that complies with this order, appellee’s brief will be due 

thirty days after appellant’s brief is filed. See TEX. R. APP. P. 38.6(b). 

_________________________________

Rebeca C. Martinez, Justice

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said 

court on this 4th day of August, 2017.

___________________________________

Luz Estrada

Chief Deputy Clerk