Opinion
14-22-00681-CV
12-21-2022
IN THE INTEREST OF J.M.R.C. AND J.M.A.C., CHILDREN
On Appeal from the 313th District Court Harris County, Texas Trial Court Cause No. 2016-00958J
Panel Consists of Chief Justice Christopher and Justices Bourliot 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 October 31, 2022, though we initially extended the deadline to November 30, 2022 due to appellant considering whether to proceed pro se. We granted a further extension of time to file appellant's brief until December 20, 2022. When we granted this extension, we noted that no further extensions would be granted. On December 19, 2022, counsel filed a further request for extension of time to file appellant's brief. 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 January 13, 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.