COURT OF APPEALS
SECOND DISTRICT OF TEXAS
FORT WORTH
NO. 2-08-281-CV
BRETT ARNOLD AND PATRICIA APPELLANTS
A. RUDDER
V.
B.R. ISRAEL APPELLEE
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FROM COUNTY COURT AT LAW NO. 2 OF TARRANT COUNTY
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MEMORANDUM OPINION 1
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On July 20, 2009, appellants filed their brief with this court. Appellants’
brief was defective because it failed to comply with Texas Rules of Appellate
Procedure 38.1(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k)(1), and 9.4(h), and
Local Rules 1.A and 1.E, Second Court of Appeals Local Rules.2
1
… See Tex. R. App. P. 47.4.
2
… See Tex. R. App. P. 38.1(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k)(1),
9.4(h); 2nd Tex. App. (Fort Worth) Loc. R. 1.
On July 20, 2009, the court instructed appellants to file an amended brief
by July 30, 2009, to cure the defects. The court’s letter notified appellants
that failure to file an amended brief in compliance with rules of appellate
procedure 38 and 9, and Local Rule 1, “may result in striking the brief you filed,
waiver of noncomplying points, or dismissal of the appeal.” 3
Appellants filed an amended brief that is defective because it fails to
comply with Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure 38.1(h), (i), (k)(1), and 9.4(h),
and Local Rule 1.A, Second Court of Appeals Local Rules.4
Only “substantial compliance” with the briefing rules is required.5 If we
determine that the briefing rules have been “flagrantly violated,” however, we
may require an appellant to amend, supplement, or redraw the brief.6 If the
appellant does not file another brief that complies with the rules of appellate
procedure, we may strike the brief, prohibit the party from filing another, and
proceed as if the party had failed to file a brief.7
3
… See Tex. R. App. P. 38.8(a), 38.9(a), 42.3.
4
… See Tex. R. App. P. 38.1(h), (i), (k)(1), 9.4(h); 2nd Tex. App. (Fort
Worth) Loc. R. 1.
5
… Tex. R. App. P. 38.9.
6
… Tex. R. App. P. 38.9(a).
7
… Id.
2
Because appellants have been given notice of the defects in their brief
and because they have failed to cure those defects, we strike their brief and
amended brief and dismiss the appeal for want of prosecution.8
PER CURIAM
PANEL: CAYCE, C.J.; LIVINGSTON and DAUPHINOT, JJ.
DELIVERED: August 26, 2009
8
… See Tex. R. App. P. 38.8(a)(1), 38.9(a), 42.3(b), 43.2(f).
3