Opinion ID: 6492448
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: After the Termination Order

Text: 2005 Proceedings As noted previously, the record reflects that Yonemori attempted to file Petitioner’s Notice of Appeal in 2005. Yonemori stated that she “was unaware that a Notice of Appeal had not been filed in the ease herein” and she “had four (4) close family members ... pass away [and therefore may have been preoccupied and not as vigilant about case details.” Indeed, Yonemori declared that “the delay in filing the Notice of Appeal was in no way caused by the [Petitioner.]” (Emphasis added.) To recount further, Yo-nemori stated on the record that “on or about September 30, 2005[, Yonemori] filed a Notice of Appeal in the case[,]” but that “sometime in October [2005], [Yonemori] was notified ... that [her] cover page was in error,” that she “did not realize that the documents were returned to [her] via [her] Family Court jacket until late November[,]” “[her] close friend ... passed away in late November and [Yonemori] left ... for the mainland[,]” and for these reasons, she “completely forgot about making the appropriate corrections for this case.” Again, Yonemori admitted that “the delays in filing all papers in this case [were] due to [her] irresponsibility and [were] in no way caused by the [Petitioner], who [was] understandably quite anxious about this case.” (Emphasis added.) 2006 Proceedings As noted above, on March 10, 2006, Petitioner, acting pro se, filed a HFCR Rule 60 motion seeking relief from the March 11, 2005 judgment, alleging that “[cjounsel assigned by this court remains ineffective to bring this matter to justicef.]” A few days later, on March 13, 2006, Petitioner, represented by Yonemori, filed a Notice of Appeal, appealing from the March 11, 2005 Order, Two days later, on March 15, 2006, Petitioner, represented by Yonemori, filed another Motion for Relief from the March 11, 2005 Order pursuant to HFCR Rule 60(1), (2), and (3). As stated above, on June 2, 2006, Yonemo-ri filed the “Specifications on Rule 60 Motions,” noting that Petitioner had agreed to consolidate the two Rule 60 motions, and alleging, inter alia, that “[Petitioner’s] case may have been [] prejudiced by ineffective assistance of counsel[,]” that Yonemori “fail[ed] to file a timely appeal and meet with [Petitioner] in 2005”; on that same day, Yo-nemori filed a Motion for Withdrawal and Substitution of Counsel, alleging, inter alia, that she had “not had sufficient time to devote to [Petitioner’s] case and to educate [her]self [on the] areas of law[,]” and due to various commitments, “[Petitioner] would not have accessibility to [her as] legal counsel[.]” Yonemori concluded that Petitioner “should be appointed a competent and knowledgeable attorney[.]” Also as noted before, on June 26, 2006, “due to [Petitioner’s] current appeal,” the court held rulings in abeyance on “[Petitioner’s] Rule 60(b) motion and motion for withdrawal and substitution of eounsel[.]” On June 28, 2006, this court dismissed Petitioner’s appeal for failing to timely file a Motion for Reconsideration; on October 17, 2006, Petitioner, acting pro se, filed a Notice of Appeal from the Order denying her Rule 60 motion; and on November 9, 2006, the court issued its “Order Denying Motion for Withdrawal and Substitution of Counsel filed [June 2, 2006]; Motion for Relief from March 11, 2005 Order filed Mai’ch 15, 2006; and Motion for Relief from Judgement of March 11, 2005 filed March 10, 2006.” Petitioner’s pro se appeal from the denial of her Rule 60 motion was dismissed by the ICA for lack of jurisdiction on January 12, 2007, because “the [ ] court ha[d] not reduced the September 28, 2006 oral announcement to an appeal-able written order.” It appears that subsequently, Petitioner was able to secure private counsel who, on February 6, 2007, filed the motion, from which the instant appeal was taken.