Opinion
13-24-00480-CV
12-06-2024
IN THE INTEREST OF B.G.L., A CHILD
ON APPEAL FROM THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW OF ARANSAS COUNTY, TEXAS
Before Longoria, Silva, and Peña Justices.
ORDER
PER CURIAM.
This appeal arises from the trial court's termination of mother M.L.'s parental rights over B.G.L, a minor child. On December 4, 2024, appellant, M.L., filed her "Unopposed Motion to Extend Deadline to File Brief" in this cause. Citing the need for additional time to adequately prepare her brief, M.L. requested an eleven-day extension to file her brief on December 16, 2024, instead of on December 5, 2024, her original deadline.
We refer to appellant and the child by their initials in accordance with the rules of appellate procedure. See Tex. R. App. P. 9.8(b)(2).
We are bound by the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure in parental termination cases. Appeals in parental termination and child protection cases are governed by the rules of appellate procedure for accelerated appeals but include additional expedited deadlines and procedures. See Tex. R. App. P. 28.4; Tex. R. Jud. Admin. 6.2(a). The intermediate appellate courts are directed to ensure "as far as reasonably possible" that appeals are brought to final disposition within 180 days of the date the notice of appeal is filed. Tex. R. Jud. Admin. 6.2(a). Because these appeals involve fundamental rights that necessitate expedited consideration, this Court requires strict adherence to the deadlines provided by the appellate rules and looks with disfavor upon the delays caused by requests for extensions of time.
In light of the foregoing, we hereby grant M.L.'s motion for extension of time to file appellant's brief. The Court will extend her deadline to file appellant's brief to December 16, 2024.
No further motions for extension of time will be considered absent exigent circumstances.