In the Interest of I.S. and J.L., Jr., Children

Summary

The Texas Court of Appeals, Fifth District at Dallas, ordered the trial court to appoint appellate counsel for an indigent parent whose parental rights had been terminated. The court also required supplemental records concerning jurisdiction and directed appellate counsel to verify whether a reporter’s record would be requested.

Holdings

1. An indigent parent is presumed to remain indigent through the appeal absent changed circumstances and must be provided appointed appellate counsel.
2. The court may require supplementation of the clerk's record and verification regarding the reporter's record when necessary to determine its appellate jurisdiction.

Questions Presented

1. Whether an indigent parent whose parental rights have been terminated must be provided appellate counsel.
2. Whether the appellate record should be supplemented with specified trial-court documents and verification concerning the reporter's record so the court can determine its jurisdiction.

Disposition

other