Opinion
No. 136383.
June 20, 2008.
Court of Appeals No. 283281.
Summary Disposition June 20, 2008:
Pursuant to MCR 7.302(G)(1), in lieu of granting leave to appeal, we remand this case to the Court of Appeals. That court shall treat the respondent's claim of appeal as having been timely filed, reinstate the appeal, and decide the case on an expedited basis. The respondent's pro bono counsel failed to file a claim of appeal within 14 days after entry of the order terminating parental rights or a motion for rehearing in the trial court within the 14-day period set out in MCR 7.204(A)(1)(c), resulting in the Court of Appeals administratively dismissing the respondent's claim of appeal. Thus, the respondent was deprived of his appeal of right as a result of ineffective assistance of counsel. We do not retain jurisdiction.
I join the order remanding this matter to the Court of Appeals. I write separately only to observe that the Attorney Grievance Commission (AGC) may wish to investigate the conduct of respondent's appellate counsel. On February 20, 2008, the Court of Appeals dismissed respondent's claim of appeal as untimely. The Court of Appeals noted that respondent had "failed to file the motion for rehearing within 14 days of the November 13, 2007 order terminating parental rights as required by MCR 7.204(A)(1)(c)." Respondent's counsel argues that MCR 3.992(A) should control, but his motion was untimely under that rule as well. This missed deadline not only prejudices counsel's client and the future of respondent's child, but also Michigan's compliance with federal audit requirements pursuant to the current Child and Family Services Review. For these reasons, the dismissal by the Court of Appeals warrants AGC scrutiny.