in the Matter of J.M.L., J.L.B., E.L., R.M.B., and M.E.L., Children

Fourth Court of Appeals
San Antonio, Texas
May 3, 2017

No. 04-17-00183-CV

IN THE MATTER OF J.M.L., J.L.B., E.L., R.M.B., AND M.E.L., CHILDREN,

From the 285th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas
Trial Court No. 2014-PA-02870
Honorable Charles E. Montemayor, Judge Presiding

ORDER
Appellant’s brief in this appeal was due May 1, 2017. Neither the brief nor a motion for
extension of time has been filed. We order Shawn Sheffield, appellant’s court-appointed
appellate attorney, to file appellant’s brief by May 15, 2017. Appellant is advised that no
extensions of time will be granted absent a showing of extraordinary circumstances. The court
does not generally consider a heavy work schedule to be an extraordinary circumstance. If the
brief is not filed by the date ordered, the court may abate the appeal and remand the case to the
trial court for a hearing to determine whether appellant or counsel has abandoned this appeal. See
TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 107.013(a)(1) (giving indigent persons a right to counsel in
parental-rights termination cases); In re M.S., 115 S.W.3d 534, 544 (Tex. 2003) (holding that this
right to counsel includes the right to effective counsel).

_________________________________
Luz Elena D. Chapa, Justice

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said
court on this 3rd day of May, 2017.

___________________________________
Keith E. Hottle
Clerk of Court