Court Opinion

ID: 9363606
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-01-17 11:09:15.27712+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:15:32.806621
License: Public Domain

TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN

                                     NO. 03-22-00700-CV

                                        M. L., Appellant

                                                v.

               Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Appellee

                FROM THE 20TH DISTRICT COURT OF MILAM COUNTY
        NO. CV40855, THE HONORABLE JOHN YOUNGBLOOD, JUDGE PRESIDING

                                           ORDER

PER CURIAM

               Appellant M. L. filed her notice of appeal on November 1, 2022. The appellate

record was complete on November 21, 2022, making appellant’s brief originally due on

December 12, 2022. On December 28, 2022, counsel for appellant filed a second motion for

extension of time to file appellant’s brief. Subsequently, on January 4, 2023, this court granted

appellant’s motion to withdrawal and for substitution of new counsel.

               The rules of judicial administration accelerate the final disposition of appeals

from suits for termination of parental rights. See Tex. R. Jud. Admin. 6.2(a) (providing 180 days

for court’s final disposition). The accelerated schedule constrains this Court’s leeway in granting

extensions. In this instance, we will grant the motion and order Maria Peña to file appellant’s

brief no later than January 30, 2023. If the brief is not filed by that date, counsel may be

required to show cause why she should not be held in contempt of court.
              It is ordered on January 12, 2023.

Before Justices Baker, Kelly, and Smith

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