State of Louisiana in the Interest of S. W. and S. W. ( 2019 )


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  • STATE OF LOUISIANA IN THE INTEREST OF                           NO. 19-C-616
    S. W. AND S. W.                                                 FIFTH CIRCUIT
    COURT OF APPEAL
    STATE OF LOUISIANA
    December 27, 2019
    Mary E. Legnon
    Chief Deputy Clerk
    IN RE D. S.
    APPLYING FOR SUPERVISORY WRIT FROM THE JEFFERSON PARISH JUVENILE COURT, PARISH OF
    JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, DIRECTED TO THE HONORABLE AMANDA L. CALOGERO,
    DIVISION ''B'', NUMBER 20-60
    Panel composed of Judges Susan M. Chehardy,
    Fredericka Homberg Wicker, and John J. Molaison, Jr.
    WRIT GRANTED
    Relator, Dora Spencer, as Intervenor/Petitioner for Custody in the child in
    need of care case of S.W. & S.W., seeks review of the trial court’s rulings of
    November 21, 2019, denying her Petition for Custody, declining to hear her
    Motion for Intervention and failing to rule on her Motion for Recusal of the trial
    judge. Relator filed a Motion for Intervention on October 17, 2019. Relator filed a
    Motion for Recusal on November 20, 2019, the day prior to the hearing on the
    children’s disposition and her Motion for Intervention. The trial court denied the
    Petition for Custody and continued the Motion for Recusal and Motion for
    Intervention to December 10, 2019.
    We find that the trial court erred in ruling on the Petition for Custody and
    holding the Dispositional hearing without ruling on the Motion for Recusal for
    hearing on December 10, 2019. Relator had a “real and actual interest” in custody
    and intervention in this cause making her a party who could seek to recuse the trial
    court judge. See In re Interdiction of Greenblatt, 2003-1889 (La. 11/14/03), 
    860 So.2d 533
    , 534. Therefore, we vacate the rulings of the trial court on November
    21, 2019 dismissing the Petition for Custody and the finalizing the disposition of
    the children and order the trial court to rule on the motion for recusal or refer the
    19-C-616
    motion to another member of the bench for determination in accordance with La.
    C.C.P. art. 154.
    Gretna, Louisiana, this 27th day of December, 2019.
    FHW
    SMC
    JJM
    2
    SUSAN M. CHEHARDY                                                               CURTIS B. PURSELL
    CHIEF JUDGE                                                                     CLERK OF COURT
    MARY E. LEGNON
    FREDERICKA H. WICKER
    CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK
    JUDE G. GRAVOIS
    MARC E. JOHNSON
    ROBERT A. CHAISSON                                                              SUSAN BUCHHOLZ
    STEPHEN J. WINDHORST
    FIRST DEPUTY CLERK
    HANS J. LILJEBERG
    JOHN J. MOLAISON, JR.                              FIFTH CIRCUIT
    MELISSA C. LEDET
    JUDGES                                  101 DERBIGNY STREET (70053)
    DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL STAFF
    POST OFFICE BOX 489
    GRETNA, LOUISIANA 70054              (504) 376-1400
    (504) 376-1498 FAX
    www.fifthcircuit.org
    NOTICE OF DISPOSITION CERTIFICATE OF DELIVERY
    I CERTIFY THAT A COPY OF THE DISPOSITION IN THE FOREGOING MATTER HAS BEEN
    TRANSMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNIFORM RULES - COURT OF APPEAL, RULE 4-6 THIS
    DAY 12/27/2019 TO THE TRIAL JUDGE, THE TRIAL COURT CLERK OF COURT, AND AT LEAST ONE OF
    THE COUNSEL OF RECORD FOR EACH PARTY, AND TO EACH PARTY NOT REPRESENTED BY
    COUNSEL, AS LISTED BELOW:
    19-C-616
    E-NOTIFIED
    Cynthia D. Samuel (Relator)             Hester R. Hilliard (Respondent)
    Jennifer G. Womble (Respondent)
    MAILED
    Trishawn Payne Jones (Respondent)       Caitlin J. Glass (Respondent)
    Attorney at Law                         Attorney at Law
    Department of Children and Family       Post Office Box 792193
    Services                                New Orleans, LA 70179
    1450 Poydras Street
    Suite 1600
    New Orleans, LA 70112
    

Document Info

Docket Number: 19-C-616

Judges: Amanda L. Calogero

Filed Date: 12/27/2019

Precedential Status: Precedential

Modified Date: 10/21/2024