Opinion
13-24-00136-CV
03-21-2024
IN THE INTEREST OF J.F. AND J.F., CHILDREN
ON APPEAL FROM THE 430TH DISTRICT COURT OF HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS
Before Chief Justice Contreras and Longoria and Peña
ORDER
PER CURIAM
This appeal arises from the trial court's termination of father J.L.F.'s parental rights over J.F. and J.F., minor children. The court reporter has previously requested and received one extension of time to file the reporter's record. Accordingly, the reporter's record became due on March 18, 2024, instead of March 4, 2024, the original due date. On March 19, 2024, the court reporter filed her second request for extension of time to file the reporter's record in this cause. Citing the need for additional time to complete the reporter's record, the court reporter has requested an extension of time to file the reporter's record until April 18, 2024.
We refer to appellant and the children 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). Rule 24.8 authorizes this Court to grant extensions to file a record. See Tex. R. App. P. 28.4(b)(2). However, that rule also mandates that "extensions granted must not exceed 30 days cumulatively, absent extraordinary circumstances." Id. Because appeals in parental termination cases 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.
The Court, having fully examined the court reporter's second request for an extension of time to file the record, is of the opinion that, in the interest of justice, it should be granted in part by this order. Accordingly, the Court grants the court reporter's second request for an extension of time to file the record. The Court orders the court reporter, Yvette Araiza, to file the reporter's record in this Court no later than April 3, 2024. See id.
No further requests for extension of time will be entertained by the Court absent exigent circumstances. See id. The failure of the court reporter to file the record by the date set forth in this order shall result in the referral of this matter to the Court and may result in the issuance of an order to show cause.