Opinion
13-24-00312-CV
07-16-2024
IN THE INTEREST OF W.C. AND R.Z., CHILDREN
ON APPEAL FROM THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW NO. 5 OF NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS.
Before Benavides, Longoria, and Silva, Justices.
ORDER
PER CURIAM
This appeal arises from the trial court's termination of appellant mother K.Z.'s parental rights over W.C. and R.Z., minor children. On July 15, 2024, appellant filed a motion for extension of time to file the brief. Citing the need for additional time to adequately prepare the brief, appellant requested a ten-day extension to file her brief on July 25, 2024, instead of on July 15, 2024, her original deadline.
We refer to appellant and the child by 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). Because these appeals 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.
In light of the foregoing, we hereby grant the appellant's motion for extension of time to file the brief. The appellant is ordered to file her brief on or before July 25, 2024.
No further motions for extension of time will be considered absent new and exigent circumstances.