Opinion
No. 04-17-00802-CV
02-23-2018
IN THE INTEREST OF L.A.D-L., M.R.D-L., U.A.D-T, AND D.R.D-T, CHILDREN
From the 37th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas
Trial Court No. 2016PA00824
Honorable Martha B. Tanner, Judge Presiding
ORDER
On February 7, 2018, because court-appointed counsel Lionel F. Richardson advised this court he had a conflict and could not represent Appellant, we abated this appeal and remanded the cause to the trial court to appoint new counsel. On February 16, 2018, the trial court granted Mr. Richardson's motion to withdraw and appointed Ms. Amanda Wilhelm to represent Appellant on appeal.
We REINSTATE this appeal and the appellate timetable. Appellant's brief is due on March 8, 2018. See TEX. R. APP. P. 26.1(b), 26.3. We urge counsel to file Appellant's brief as soon as practicable.
The children's "need for permanence is the paramount consideration for the child[ren]'s present and future physical and emotional needs." See Dupree v. Tex. Dep't of Protective & Regulatory Servs., 907 S.W.2d 81, 87 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1995, no writ). To protect the children, this court must render its decision "with the least possible delay," and any further delays in addressing court-appointed appellate counsel will not only hinder this court in its duty, but may adversely affect the children. See TEX. R. APP. P. 35.3(c); In re J.L., 163 S.W.3d 79, 82 (Tex. 2005) (quoting TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.405(a) (West 2014)).
/s/_________
Patricia O. Alvarez, Justice
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court on this 23rd day of February, 2018.
/s/_________
KEITH E. HOTTLE,
Clerk of Court