In the Interest of D.S., D.S.M. aka D.M., D.R.K., Children

Summary

The First Court of Appeals of Texas affirmed the trial court’s orders terminating Ebonee Shantrell Miles’s parental rights to three children. The court held that the Anders procedures applied, agreed that the appeals were frivolous and without merit, and granted appointed counsel’s motion to withdraw.

Holdings

1. The procedures established in Anders v. California apply to an appeal from a trial court order terminating parental rights when appointed appellate counsel concludes that there are no nonfrivolous issues to assert.
2. The appeals were frivolous and without merit, and the trial court's judgments terminating parental rights were affirmed.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the Anders procedures apply to an appeal from an order terminating parental rights when appointed appellate counsel concludes that no nonfrivolous issues exist.
2. Whether independent review of the records revealed any arguable grounds for reversal of the termination judgments.
3. Whether appointed counsel's motion to withdraw should be granted after filing an Anders brief and complying with the required notice procedures.

Disposition

affirmed