R. S. v. Texas Department of Family and Protective Services ( 2021 )

TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN NO. 03-20-00586-CV R. S., Appellant v. Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Appellee FROM THE 146TH DISTRICT COURT OF BELL COUNTY NO. 307,794-B, THE HONORABLE ALAN MAYFIELD, JUDGE PRESIDING ORDER PER CURIAM Appellant R. S. filed her notice of appeal on December 3, 2020. The appellate record was complete on January 11, 2021, making appellant’s brief due on February 1, 2021. On January 28, 2021, 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 Stephen J. DeBye to file appellant’s brief no later than February 22, 2021. 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 February 2, 2021. Before Chief Justice Byrne, Justices Baker, Smith 2