D. N. v. Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

Opinion

TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN

NO. 03-22-00601-CV

D. N., Appellant

v.

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Appellee

FROM THE 421ST DISTRICT COURT OF CALDWELL COUNTY NO. 21-FL-132, THE HONORABLE THOMAS NATHANIEL STUCKEY, JUDGE PRESIDING

ORDER

Appellant D. N. filed her notice of appeal on September 21, 2022. The appellate

record was complete on November 8, 2022, making appellant’s brief due on November 28, 2022.

On November 22, 2022, counsel for appellant filed a motion for extension of time to file

appellant’s brief.

The rules of judicial administration accelerate the final disposition of appeals

from suits for termination of parental rights. See Tex. R. Jud. Admin. 6.2(a) (providing 180 days

for court’s final disposition). The accelerated schedule constrains this Court’s leeway in granting

extensions. In this instance, we will grant the motion and order James B. Peplinski to file

appellant’s brief no later than December 18, 2022. 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. It is ordered on December 1, 2022.

Before Chief Justice Byrne, Justices Triana and Smith