Opinion
Appellate case number: 01-13-00566-CV Trial court case number: 2012-01859J
2013-10-15
In the Interest of I.T.S., aka B.G.H., a Child
ORDER
Trial court: 313th District Court of Harris County
Appellant's court-appointed counsel filed a brief concluding that the above-referenced appeal is frivolous. See Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 744, 87 S. Ct. 1396, 1400 (1967). Counsel, however, has not filed a motion to withdraw from representation.
If appointed counsel believes that an appeal is frivolous, counsel must request permission to withdraw. See id.; see also In re K.D., 127 S.W.3d 66, 67 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2003, no pet.) (holding procedures set forth in Anders apply to appeal from termination of parental rights when counsel concludes that there are no arguable issues to assert on appeal). An Anders brief must accompany a motion to withdraw, neither the brief nor the motion may be filed on its own. See id.; In re Schulman, 252 S.W.3d 403, 406-08 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008).
Accordingly, we order appellant's appointed counsel, Donald M. Crane, to file with the Clerk of this Court within 10 days of the date of this order a motion to withdraw that complies with Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure 6.5 and 9. See TEX. R. APP. P. 6.5, 9; Schulman, 252 S.W.3d at 410, 412.
It is so ORDERED. Judge's signature: Jane Bland
[v] Acting individually [ ] Acting for the Court