Court Opinion

ID: 2875267
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-06 05:59:28.832008+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:35:32.749412
License: Public Domain

TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN

NO. 03-07-00718-CV

Cliff Burke, Appellant

v.

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Appellee

FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY, 395TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
NO. 03-1101-F395, HONORABLE MICHAEL JERGINS, JUDGE PRESIDING

M E M O R A N D U M   O P I N I O N

		Appellant Cliff Burke, appearing pro se, is currently incarcerated in the Arizona
Department of Corrections.  Burke has not made arrangements to pay for the clerk's record, which
was due on December 27, 2007, nor has he paid the $175.00 fee for filing a notice of appeal.  In
addition, Burke has not yet filed a docketing statement as required by Texas Rule of
Appellate Procedure 32.1.  
		On March 10, 2008, Burke filed an affidavit of indigence in this Court.  See Tex. R.
App. P. 20.1.  Because the docketing statement and clerk's record have not been filed, it is unclear
whether Burke filed in the trial court a statement of points on which he intends to appeal, a motion
for new trial, or an affidavit of indigence.  See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 263.405(b) (West Supp. 2007)
(governing appeals from termination orders).  It is also unclear whether the trial court appointed an
attorney to represent Burke on appeal (1) or held a hearing to determine whether Burke was indigent
or whether the appeal was frivolous.  See id. § 263.405(d), (e).  
		We abate this cause to the trial court for a hearing to determine whether Burke is
indigent, as well as other required determinations under the family code.  See Tex. Fam. Code Ann.
§§ 107.013, 263.405 (West Supp. 2007). 
		The trial court is ordered to forward a record of the hearing, including any findings
of fact and conclusions of law, to this Court within 30 days of the date of this order.  If Burke is
entitled to and desires appointed counsel, the trial court shall make that appointment and inform his
attorney that the brief is due within such time as the trial court determines is appropriate for the
circumstances, but no later than 25 days after the trial court's hearing.

						__________________________________________
						Diane Henson, Justice
Before Justices Patterson, Puryear and Henson
Abated
Filed:   March 21, 2008
1.   While the family code does not specifically require appointed appellate counsel for an
indigent parent, Texas courts have held that "the right to effective counsel extends to the appellate
level" in termination cases.  In re K.K., 180 S.W.3d 681, 684 (Tex. App.--Waco 2005, no pet.).