Court Opinion

ID: 3069568
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-16 00:12:54.140945+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:14:00.846042
License: Public Domain

NO. 12-14-00173-CV

                            IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

                 TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT

                                       TYLER, TEXAS

                                                   §       APPEAL FROM THE
IN THE INTEREST OF M. L. H.-M.,
                                                   §       COUNTY COURT AT LAW
A CHILD
                                                   §       CHEROKEE COUNTY, TEXAS

                          MEMORANDUM OPINION ON REHEARING
          B.M. filed a motion for rehearing of our November 12, 2014 opinion, which we have
granted. We withdraw our opinion and judgment on original submission, and substitute the
following opinion and judgment.
          B.M. appeals the termination of his parental rights. B.M.’s counsel filed a brief in
compliance with Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S. Ct. 1396, 18 L. Ed. 2d 493 (1967),
and Gainous v. State, 436 S.W.2d 137 (Tex. Crim. App. 1969). B.M. filed a pro se brief. We
affirm.

                                            BACKGROUND
          B.M. is the father of M.L.H.-M., born May 31, 2013. V.H. is the mother of M.L.H.-M.
and is not a party to this appeal. On June 3, 2013, the Department of Family and Protective
Services (the Department) filed an original petition for protection of M.L.H.-M., for
conservatorship, and for termination of B.M.’s parental rights. The Department was appointed
temporary managing conservator of the child, and B.M. was appointed temporary possessory
conservator with limited rights and duties.
          At the conclusion of the trial on the merits, the trial court found, by clear and convincing
evidence, that B.M. had engaged in one or more of the acts or omissions necessary to support
termination of his parental rights. The trial court also found that termination of the parent-child
relationship between B.M. and M.L.H.-M. was in the child’s best interest. Based on these
findings, the trial court ordered that the parent-child relationship between B.M. and M.L.H.-M.
be terminated. This appeal followed.

                         ANALYSIS PURSUANT TO ANDERS V. CALIFORNIA
        B.M.’s counsel filed a brief in compliance with Anders, stating that he has diligently
reviewed the appellate record and is of the opinion that the record reflects no reversible error and
that there is no error upon which an appeal can be predicated. This court has previously held that
Anders procedures apply in parental rights termination cases when the Department has moved
for termination. See In re K.S.M., 61 S.W.3d 632, 634 (Tex. App.—Tyler 2001, no pet.). In
compliance with Anders, counsel’s brief presents a professional evaluation of the record
demonstrating why there are no reversible grounds on appeal, and referencing any grounds that
might arguably support the appeal. See Anders, 386 U.S. at 744, 87 S. Ct. at 1400; Mays v.
State, 904 S.W.2d 920, 922-23 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1995, no pet.).
        In B.M.’s pro se brief, he argues that the trial court abused its discretion by issuing a
temporary order allowing the Department to keep custody and control of the child even though
the evidence was insufficient to support a finding of aggravated circumstances, and failing to
―immediately‖ appoint counsel for him after the Department’s original petition was filed. He also
complains that the Department’s caseworker violated the trial court’s order regarding proper
notification of supervised visitations, causing him to react in negative ways. And finally, he
contends that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance of counsel at trial and on appeal,
arguing that his trial counsel made ―no attempt‖ to find an appellate attorney to represent him
and failed to file an effective appeal.
        As a reviewing court, we must conduct an independent evaluation of the record to
determine whether counsel is correct in determining that the appeal is frivolous. See Stafford v.
State, 813 S.W.2d 503, 511 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991); Mays, 904 S.W.2d at 923. We have
carefully reviewed the appellate record, B.M.’s counsel’s brief, and B.M.’s pro se brief. We find
nothing in the record that might arguably support the appeal.

                                           DISPOSITION
        As required, B.M.’s counsel has moved for leave to withdraw. See Anders, 386 U.S. at
744, 87 S. Ct. at 1400. We agree with B.M.’s counsel that the appeal is wholly frivolous. See

                                                 2
Taylor v. Tex. Dep't of Protective & Regulatory Servs., 160 S.W.3d 641, 646–47 (Tex. App.—
Austin 2005, pet. denied). Accordingly, we grant his motion for leave to withdraw, and affirm
the trial court’s judgment. See TEX. R. APP. P. 43.2.

                                                                BRIAN HOYLE
                                                                   Justice

Opinion delivered February 27, 2015.
Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Griffith, J., and Hoyle, J.

                                                    (PUBLISH)

                                                           3
                                   COURT OF APPEALS

      TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT OF TEXAS

                                            JUDGMENT

                                         FEBRUARY 27, 2015

                                          NO. 12-14-00173-CV

                        IN THE INTEREST OF M. L. H.-M., A CHILD

                                Appeal from the County Court at Law
                      of Cherokee County, Texas (Tr.Ct.No. 2013-06-0390)

                        THIS CAUSE came to be heard on the appellate record and briefs filed
herein, and the same being considered, it is the opinion of this court that there was no error in the
judgment.
                        It is therefore ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that the judgment
of the court below be in all things affirmed, and that this decision be certified to the court
below for observance.
                    Brian Hoyle, Justice.
                    Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Griffith, J., and Hoyle, J.