Opinion
14-23-00119-CV
04-24-2023
IN THE INTEREST OF J.A.A.A., M.L.T. A/K/A M.T, J.H.M. JR. A/K/A J.N., CHILDREN
On Appeal from the 314th District Court Harris County, Texas Trial Court Cause No. 2019-01638J
Panel Consists of Justices Wise, Zimmerer, and Wilson.
ORDER
PER CURIAM.
This is an accelerated appeal from a judgment in a suit in which the termination of the parent-child relationship is at issue. Appellant is represented by appointed counsel, Donald M. Crane. Appellant's brief was originally due April 3, 2023. We granted an extension of time to file appellant's brief until April 24, 2023. When we granted this extension, we noted that no further extensions would be granted. On April 24, 2023, counsel filed a further request for extension of time to file appellant's brief beyond that deadline. To date, counsel has submitted no brief.
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) (effective May 1, 2012). This accelerated schedule requires greater compliance with briefing deadlines. Therefore, we deny the motion and issue the following order.
We order appellant's appointed counsel Donald M. Crane to file appellant's brief no later than May 5, 2023. If the brief is not filed by that date, counsel may be required to show cause why he should not be held in contempt of court. In addition, the court may require appointment of new counsel due to the failure to timely file appellant's brief.