Court Opinion

ID: 9811673
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 22:27:13.236269+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:21:05.738225
License: Public Domain

DAVID GAULTNEY, Justice,
dissenting.
A state “may not deny [a parent], because of her poverty, appellate review of the sufficiency of the evidence on which the trial court found her unfit to remain a parent.” M.L.B. v. S.L.J., 519 U.S. 102, 107, 117 S.Ct. 555, 136 L.Ed.2d 473(1996). When a trial court finds a factual sufficiency challenge would be frivolous, this Court determines whether to order a record of the trial evidence based on a review of the record of the post-trial hearing. See, e.g., In the Interest of A.S., 239 S.W.3d 390, 392-93 (Tex.App.-Beaumont 2007, no pet.) (Appeal decided on record of post-trial hearing in which trial court’s findings that an appeal would be frivolous were supported by evidence described by the parties during the hearing); see also In the Interest of A.F., 259 S.W.3d 303 (Tex.App.-Beaumont, 2008, no pet.); In the Interest of J.B., 259 S.W.3d 383 (Tex.App.-Beaumont, 2008, no pet. h.); see Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 263.405(g) (Vernon Supp.2008) (“The appellate court shall render appropriate orders after reviewing the records and appellate briefs, if any.”). The summaries presented by the parties at the post-trial hearing in this case reflect disagreement over the evidence supporting termination of appellant’s parental rights. We should require the record of the evidence transcribed and filed. Because the majority does not, I respectfully dissent.