Opinion
13-24-00433-CV
12-03-2024
IN THE INTEREST OF S.D.G. A/K/A S.D.R.S.G., A CHILD
ON APPEAL FROM THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW NO. 5 OF NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS
Before Contreras Chief Justice and Benavides and Tijerina Justices.
ORDER
PER CURIAM
This cause is before the Court on the Department's unopposed motion for a ten-day extension to file its brief. The Department's brief was due on December 2, 2024.
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). 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 and considered the Department's motion is of the opinion that the motion should be granted. It is therefore ordered that Caroline D. Carow, counsel for the Department, file the appellate brief with this Court by December 13, 2024. No further motions for extension of time will be entertained by this Court absent exigent circumstances.