Opinion
14-21-00463-CV
10-18-2021
IN THE INTEREST OF J.B., AKA J.J.B, a Child
On Appeal from the 313th District Court Harris County, Texas Trial Court Cause No. 2020-00057J
Panel Consists of Justices Jewell, Spain, and Wilson.
ORDER
PER CURIAM
This is an accelerated appeal from a decree of termination in a parental termination case.
The notice of appeal was filed September 28, 2021. Appellant has established indigence or is presumed to be indigent. See Tex. R. App. P. 20.1(a). The reporter's record was due within 10 days after the notice of appeal was filed. See Tex. R. App. P. 35.1(b); 28.4(a)(1). On October 7, 2021, a request for extension of time to file the reporter's record was granted to October 18, 2021. The official court reporter, Stephanie Wells, was notified no further extensions would be granted absent exceptional circumstances.
On October 18, 2021, Stephanie Wells filed a second request to extend time to file the reporter's record, until October 28, 2021. We GRANT the motion.
Appeals in parental termination cases and child protection cases are to be brought to final disposition within 180 days of the date the notice of appeal is filed. See Tex. R. Jud. Admin. 6.2(a). The trial and appellate courts are jointly responsible for ensuring that the appellate record is timely filed. See Tex. R. App. P. 35.3(c). The trial court must direct the court reporter to immediately commence the preparation of the reporter's record and must arrange for a substitute reporter, if necessary. See Tex. R. App. P. 28.4(b)(1).
Accordingly, we further order, Stephanie Wells, the official court reporter, to file the record in this appeal on or before October 28, 2021. If Wells does not timely file the record as ordered, the court will issue an order requiring her to appear at a hearing to show cause why the record has not been timely filed and why she should not be held in contempt of court for failing to file the record as ordered. Contempt of court is punishable by a fine and/or confinement in jail.