Court Opinion

ID: 9395005
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-05-16 19:05:37.549147+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:19:04.559439
License: Public Domain

05/16/2023

                IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

                                         DA 22-0594
                                      _________________

 IN THE MATTER OF:

 A.G. and A.G.,                                                        ORDER

          Youths in Need of Care.

                                      _________________

          On January 23, 2023, this Court granted leave to supplement the record and stay
briefing pending supplementation, with Mother having 30 days from the filing of the
supplemental record in which to prepare, file, and serve her opening brief. Appellant
Mother was advised that no further extensions of time would be granted.
          This Court received the supplementation to the record on March 6, 2023, but Mother
did not thereafter file an opening brief. On April 17, 2023, this Court ordered that
Appellant file the opening brief no later than May 8, 2023. That order provided, “Failure
to file the brief within that time will result in dismissal of this appeal with prejudice and
without further notice.” Nothing further has been filed.
          Because the order on appeal terminated Mother’s rights to her two children and she
has a right to counsel on appeal, the Court is reluctant to dismiss the case without further
notice.
          IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that counsel for Appellant Mother shall have ten
days from the date of this Order within which to file with the Clerk of this Court either the
Mother’s Opening Brief on Appeal or a written explanation why the brief has not been
filed.
          The Clerk is directed to provide copies of this Order to all counsel of record and to
Appellate Defender Chad Wright.

                                                                                 Electronically signed by:
                                                                                        Beth Baker
                                                                            Justice, Montana Supreme Court
                                                                                       May 16 2023