IN THE SUPREME COURT OF TEXAS
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NO . 11-0282
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IN THE INTEREST OF E.R., ET AL., CHILDREN, RELATORS
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ON PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS
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JUSTICE LEHRMANN , concurring.
On rehearing, the State contends that the Court’s decision that service by publication in this
case failed to comport with due process is faulty because L.R. had appeared at several hearings.
Normally, if a defendant appears in open court, the appearance has “the same force and effect as if
the citation had been duly issued and served as provided by law.” TEX . R. CIV . P. 120. In this
instance, though, L.R. never appeared in court after the State’s petition to terminate her parental
rights had been filed. See TEX . FAM . CODE § 102.009(a)(7). Accordingly, I concur with the Court’s
order denying the State’s motion for rehearing.
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Debra H. Lehrmann
Justice
OPINION DELIVERED: August 31, 2012