Opinion
No. 06-15-00053-CV
01-08-2016
IN THE INTEREST OF B.T. AND C.T., CHILDREN
On Appeal from the County Court at Law Bowie County, Texas
Trial Court No. 13C1150-CCL Before Morriss, C.J., Moseley and Burgess, JJ.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Jana's parental rights to B.T. and C.T. were terminated. Jana is represented on appeal by court-appointed counsel who has filed a brief in accordance with the requirements of Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967). Court-appointed counsel has concluded that after a thorough review of the record, this appeal is frivolous and without merit. Because we agree, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
We refer to the children by their initials and to the biological mother by a fictitious name to protect the privacy of the children. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 109.002(d) (West 2014). --------
The Anders brief filed by Jana's counsel presents a professional evaluation of the record demonstrating why there are no arguable grounds to be raised on appeal. Counsel has established that he provided Jana with a copy of his brief, notified her of her right to file a pro se response, and provided her with a complete copy of the entire appellate record. Jana has not exercised her right to file a pro se response. Court-appointed counsel's brief meets the requirements of Anders by providing a professional evaluation of the record and by advancing any contentions of possible error that might arguably support the appeal. See Anders, 386 U.S. at 744; High v. State, 573 S.W.2d 807 (Tex. Crim. App. [Panel Op.] 1978). Counsel also filed a motion with this Court seeking to withdraw as counsel in this appeal.
Having thoroughly reviewed the record and counsel's brief, we agree with counsel's assessment that the appeal is frivolous and without merit. We find nothing in the record that could arguably support the appeal.
We affirm the trial court's order terminating Jana's parental rights to B.T. and C.T. and grant counsel's motion to withdraw.
Ralph K. Burgess
Justice Date Submitted: December 9, 2015
Date Decided: January 8, 2016