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ALA Code §26-10A-26:  Appeals in Adoption Matters - Adoption cases have priority over all other matters. 

ALA Code §12-15-120:  Appeals in Juvenile Matters - All appeals generating from this (juvenile code includes delinquency, status offenses, dependency, and TPR) shall take precedence over all other appeals (1975).

Ariz. R. Proc. Juv. Ct. R. 88: Appellate court shall give appeals from juvenile court orders precedence over all other actions, except extraordinary writs or special actions.  No bond is required in any court in connection with an appeal from a final order of the juvenile court.

Ariz. R. Proc. Juv. Ct. R. 89: Notice of appeal must be filed within 15 days of final judgment.  Notice of cross-appeal must be filed within 10 days of notice of appeal.  Immediately upon filing notice of appeal, the clerk of the superior court shall serve copies on all parties or their counsel, on the court reporter, on the juvenile court word-processing operator, and on the clerk of the court of appeals.  Appellant may file a designation of record with the clerk of the superior court within 5 days of filing notice of appeal.  Appellee may file a supplemental designation of record within 12 days of filing notice of appeal.

Ariz. R. Proc. Juv. Ct. R. 90: Court reporter shall file the complete original transcript with the clerk of the court of appeals no more than 30 days after the filing of the notice of appeal by a government agency or an order of the juvenile court judge, or after the appellant arranges to pay for the transcript.  The clerk of the superior court also has only 20 days to prepare the complete file.

CA. Ct. R. 8.456:  Expedited TPR Appeals.  Appellant’s brief must be filed within 30 days of filing the record in the reviewing court.  Respondent’s brief must be served and filed within 30 days of appellant's brief.  Minor’s brief must be filed and served within 20 days of the filing of respondent’s brief.  Oral argument shall be held no later than 60 days after appellant’s reply brief is filed.

CA. Ct. R. 8.454:  Upon the order setting a dependency case for TPR, the litigant may file a “Notice of Intent to File Writ Petition” with the trial court.  (This triggers the trial court to prepare the transcript.)  If the litigant does not file the writ, the litigant cannot appeal the final judgment of TPR. 

Supreme Court of Colorado, Office of the Chief Justice, Directive 96-08:  Directive Concerning the Processing of Dependency and Neglect Cases.

GA Const. Art. VI, § IX, ¶ II: Requires appellate courts to dispose of every case in the term in which it is entered on the court’s docket or during the next term.

OCGA §9-10-1: Preference is given to cases in which the state is a plaintiff. This affects dependency cases that involve child abuse and neglect, CINA, and some TPR and custody appeals.

Ct. of Appeals, Internal Operations Manual, Section XV(P), 41: Provides for expedition of cases involving child custody.

IN. R. App. P. 10: Motions by the clerk for an extension to complete the clerk’s record in appeals involving custody, support, visitation, paternity, adoption, determination that a child is in need of services, and termination of parental rights are disfavored and are granted only in extraordinary circumstances.

IN. R. App. P. 11: Motions by the court reporter for an extension of time to complete the transcript in appeals involving custody, support, visitation, paternity, adoption, determination that a child is in need of services, and termination of parental rights are disfavored and are granted only in extraordinary circumstances.

Schumm, Joel M. “Expedited appeals in Indiana: Too Little, Too Late.” Juvenile Appellate Practice and Procedure 4 (spring 2002).

IA. R. App. P. R. 5(b): Notice of appeal from juvenile court order terminating child-parent relationship or dismissing a petition to terminate the parent-child relationship must be filed within 15 days of entry of the order or within 15 days of a ruling on a motion for new trial as provided in Iowa R. Civ. P. 247.  Notice of cross-appeal must be filed within 15 days for taking an appeal or within 5 days after taking the appeal.

IA. R. App. P. R. 6: Notice of appeal filed pursuant to Rule 5b must be filed with the clerk of court where the order, judgment, or decree was entered.  Notice cannot be filed unless signed by both appellant’s counsel and appellant.  Notice must substantially comply with form that accompanies rules.  Promptly after filing with the clerk of the district court the appellant shall mail or deliver an informational copy of the notice to the supreme court.  To perfect such an appeal, the appellant must also file a petition in conformance with rule 151 with the clerk of the supreme court within 15 days of filing the notice of appeal.

IA. R. App. P. R. 12: Reduces time for docketing an appeal involving the termination of the child-parent relationship to within 30 days after the notice of appeal is filed (as opposed to 40 days).

IA. R. App. P. R. 13: In TPR cases, the expedited time for filing under Rule 17 shall run from the date on which the full briefing is ordered.

IA. R. App. P. R. 17: Cases Involving Expedited Times for Filings – In appeals involving a contest as to custody of children, adoption, or a petition to terminate parental rights, and juvenile proceedings affecting child placement, times prescribed for serving and filing briefs (other than reply briefs), times prescribed for determining the contents of the appendix, and times prescribed for filing an agreed statement of the case shall be cut in half.  Appendix and reply briefs, except for appellee’s reply brief, shall be served and filed not more than 15 days after service of appellee’s proof brief.  Printed or duplicated copies of all briefs in final form shall be served and filed within 7 days after service of the appendix.  An appellee’s reply brief shall be filed and served within 7 days of appellant’s reply brief.  Court reporters shall give priority to transcription of these proceedings over other civil transcripts. 

IA. R. App. P. R. 32 Appellate Rule 104: Regarding withdrawal of appointed counsel in belief that an appeal is frivolous does not apply to termination cases.

            In the Interest of C.M., 652 N.W.2d 204 (Iowa 2002).

            In the Interest of L.M., 654 N.W.2d 502 (Iowa 2002).

            In the Interest of R.K., 649 N.W.2d 18 (Iowa 2002).

Kosse, Susan H., Miller, Kristen S. “Expedited Appeals in Kentucky.” Juvenile Appellate Practice and Procedure 4 (spring 2002).

MI. C. R. 7.212: In child custody case, appellant has 28 days to file brief with court of appeals.  Time extended only by court of appeals on motion.  Appellee has 21 days after appellant files brief to file appellee brief.

MI. C.R.  7.213: Priority is given to child custody cases in calendaring.

Mich. Comp. Law §722.1313: Child custody appeals may be taken in accordance with proceedings set out in expedited appellate procedures in other civil cases.

Family Independence Agency v. Kucharski (In re J.K.), 468 Mich. 202, 661 N.W.2d 216, 2003.

Weaver, Elizabeth A. “Proposed Court Rule to Eliminate Appellate Court Delay in Termination of Parental Rights Case.”  Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, June 3, 2003.

Preliminary Report of Court of Appeals Dependency Appeals Work Group. Michigan Court of Appeals, November 7, 2002.

Rule 9: Motions for Extension of Time in Advanced Cases – Only one extension will be granted for a maximum of 30 days based upon a showing of “exceptional cause.”  This is a relatively recent change and is being strictly enforced by the appellate court. 

Rule 11: Appeals involving custody of minor children will be advanced without motion.

Ouellette, Alicia R. “Freestyle Lawyering: Taking an Expedited Appeal in the New York State Courts.” Juvenile Appellate Practice and Procedure 4 (spring 2002).

North Carolina has recently completed new appellate rules for child abuse and neglect cases. They will be effective on March 1, 2006

Rule 3 of the North Carolina Rules of Appellate Procedure is amended as described below:

Rule 3(b) is amended to read:

(b) Special Provisions. Appeals in the following types of cases shall be taken in the time and manner set out in the General Statutes and appellate rules sections noted:

(1) Juvenile matters, G.S. 7B-2602.
(2) Appeals pursuant to G.S. 7B-1001 shall 
     be subject to the provisions of N.C. R. App. P. 3A.

For appeals filed pursuant to these provisions and for extraordinary writs filed in cases to which these provisions apply, the name of the juvenile who is the subject of the action, and of any siblings or other household members under the age of eighteen, shall be referenced by the use of initials only in all filings, documents, exhibits, or arguments submitted to the appellate court with the exception of sealed verbatim transcripts submitted pursuant to Rule 9(c). In addition, the juvenile’s address, social security number, and date of birth shall be excluded from all filings, documents, exhibits, or arguments with the exception of sealed verbatim transcripts submitted pursuant to Rule 9(c). Appeals filed pursuant to these provisions shall specifically comply, if applicable, with Rules 9(b), 9(c), 26(g), 28(d), 28(k), 30, 37, 41 and Appendix B.

II. Rule 3A is added to the North Carolina Rules of Appellate Procedure as described below:

Rule 3A is added to read: Rule 3A. APPEAL IN QUALIFYING JUVENILE CASES--HOW AND WHEN TAKEN, SPECIAL RULES

(a) Filing the Notice of Appeal. Any party entitled by law to appeal from a trial court judgment or order rendered in a case involving termination of parental rights and issues of juvenile dependency or juvenile abuse and/or neglect, appealable pursuant to G.S. 7B-1001, may take appeal by filing notice of appeal with the clerk of superior court and serving copies thereof upon all other parties in the time and manner set out in Chapter 7B of the General Statutes of North

Carolina. Trial counsel or an appellant not represented by counsel shall be responsible for filing and serving the notice of appeal in the time and manner required. If the appellant is represented by counsel, both the trial counsel and appellant must sign the notice of appeal, and the appellant shall cooperate with counsel throughout the appeal. All such appeals shall comply with the special provisions set out in subsection (b) of this rule and, except as hereinafter provided by this rule, all other existing Rules of Appellate Procedure shall remain applicable.

(b) Special Provisions. For appeals filed pursuant to this rule and for extraordinary writs filed in cases to which these provisions apply, the name of the juvenile who is the subject of the action, and of any siblings or other household members under the age of eighteen, shall be referenced only by the use of initials in all filings, documents, exhibits, or arguments submitted to the appellate court with the exception of sealed verbatim transcripts submitted pursuant to Rule 9(c).

In addition, the juvenile’s address, social security number, and date of birth shall be excluded from all filings, documents, exhibits, or arguments with the exception of sealed verbatim transcripts submitted pursuant to subdivision (b)(1) below or Rule 9(c). In addition, appeals filed pursuant to these provisions shall adhere strictly to the expedited procedures set forth below:

(1) Transcripts. Within one business day after the notice of appeal has been filed, the clerk of superior court shall notify the court reporting coordinator of the Administrative Office of the Courts of the date the notice of appeal was filed and the names of the parties to the appeal and their respective addresses or addresses of their counsel. Within two business days of receipt of such notification, the court reporting coordinator shall assign a transcriptionist to the case. Within thirty-five days from the date of the assignment, the transcriptionist shall prepare and deliver a transcript of the designated proceedings to the office of the Clerk of the Court of Appeals and provide copies to the respective parties to the appeal at the addresses provided. Motions for extensions of time to prepare and deliver transcripts are disfavored and will not be allowed by the Court of Appeals absent extraordinary circumstances.

(2) Record on Appeal. Within twenty days after the notice of appeal has been filed, the appellant shall prepare and serve upon all other parties a proposed record on appeal constituted in accordance with Rule 9, except there shall be no requirement to set out references to the transcript under the assignments of error. Trial counsel for the appealing party, together with appellate counsel if separate counsel is appointed or retained for the appeal, shall have joint responsibility for preparing and serving a proposed record on appeal. Within ten days after service of the proposed record on appeal upon an appellee, the appellee may serve upon all other parties: (1) a notice of approval of the proposed record; (2) specific objections or amendments to the proposed record on appeal, or (3) a proposed alternative record on appeal.

If the parties agree to a settled record on appeal within thirty days after notice of appeal has been filed, the appellant shall file three legible copies of the settled record on appeal in the office of the Clerk of the Court of Appeals within five business days from the date the record was settled. If all appellees fail within the times allowed them either to serve notices of approval or to serve objections, amendments, or proposed alternative records on appeal, the appellant’s proposed record on appeal shall constitute the settled record on appeal, and the appellant shall file three legible copies thereof in the office of the Clerk of the Court of Appeals within five business days from the last date upon which any appellee could have served such objections, amendments, or proposed alternative record on appeal. If an appellee timely serves amendments, objections, or a proposed alternative record on appeal and the parties cannot agree to the settled record within thirty days after notice of appeal has been filed, each party shall file three legible copies of the following documents in the office of the Clerk of the Court of Appeals within five business days after the last day upon which the record can be settled by agreement: (1) the appellant shall file his or her proposed record on appeal, and (2) an appellee shall file his or her objections, amendments, or proposed alternative record on appeal. No counsel who has appeared as trial counsel for any party in the proceeding shall be permitted to withdraw, nor shall such counsel be otherwise relieved of any responsibilities imposed pursuant to this rule, until the record on appeal has been filed in the office of the Clerk of the Court of Appeals as provided herein.

(3) Briefs. Within thirty days after the record on appeal has been filed with the Court of Appeals, the appellant shall file his or her brief in the office of the Clerk of the Court of Appeals and serve copies upon all other parties of record. Within thirty days after the appellant’s brief has been served on an appellee, the appellee shall file his or her brief in the office of the Clerk of the Court of Appeals and serve copies upon all other parties of record. Motions for extensions of time to file briefs will not be allowed absent extraordinary circumstances.

(c) Calendaring priority. Appeals filed pursuant to this rule will be given priority over other cases being considered by the Court of Appeals and will be calendared in accordance with a schedule promulgated by the Chief Judge. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court of Appeals, cases subject to the expedited procedures set forth in this rule shall be disposed of on the record and briefs and without oral argument.

OH. R. App. P. R. 11.2: Adoption and parental rights appeals given calendar priority over all other cases.  Preparation of the record in these cases shall be given priority.  Extensions of time for filing briefs shall only be granted in the most unusual circumstances and for the most compelling reasons in the interest of justice.  Oral argument shall be heard within 30 days of filing briefs.  Judgment shall be entered within 30 days of filing briefs or the hearing of oral argument.

OH. S.C. R. II-IX: Time for appellant to file notice of appeal and accompanying memorandum in support of jurisdiction reduced to 20 days from 45 days for non-expedited appeals, and 20 days for the appellee to file the memorandum in response.  Once the parties have filed, the amendments require the court to "expedite its review and determination" of whether to grant or deny jurisdiction.  In TPR and adoption appeals, the appeals court must expedite and give priority to preparing and transmitting the record. 

Wawrose, Susan C. "'Can We Go Home Now?”  Expediting Adoption and Termination of Parental Rights Appeals in Ohio State Courts." Juvenile Appellate Practice and Procedure 4 (spring 2002).

Stratton, Evelyn Lundberg.  "Expediting the Adoption Process at the Appellate Level."  Capital University Law Review 28 (1999): 121-139.

OK S.C. R. 1.10(c)(3): In appeals from paternity proceedings, and cases under the Oklahoma Children’s Code, Juvenile Code, or Adoption Code, appellant’s brief shall be filed within 20 days after the parties are notified that the record is complete.  Appellee’s brief shall be filed within 15 days, and appellant’s reply brief shall be filed with 10 days.

OK S.C. R. 1.23(d): In appeals to the supreme court involving paternity proceedings and cases under the Oklahoma Children’s Code, Juvenile Code, or Adoption Code are commenced by filing a petition in error and 14 copies with the clerk of the supreme court.

OK S.C. R. 1.28 (b)(3): In appeals to the supreme court involving paternity proceedings, and cases under the Oklahoma Children’s Code, Juvenile Code, or Adoption Code, appellant’s designation of record shall be filed in 10 days of the date of the order appeal.  Appellee then has 10 days for counter-designation.

OK S.C. R. 1.34: In appeals to the supreme court involving paternity proceedings, and cases under the Oklahoma Children’s Code, Juvenile Code, or Adoption Code, notice of completion of the record shall be filed with the court immediately upon completion.  In adoption appeals the record shall be completed no later than 30 days from the date the petition in error is filed in the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

OR. R. App. P. 10.15: In termination of parental rights cases, words “Termination of Parental Rights” must be prominently displayed.  Within 7 days of filing the notice of appeal, appellant shall arrange for preparation of the transcript.  Court shall not extend the time more than 14 days.  Court shall not grant an extension of time to request correction of the transcript, except on a showing of exceptional circumstances.  Appellant’s brief must be filed within 28 days.  Respondent’s brief must be filed within 28 days of appellant’s brief.  No reply brief.  Court shall not grant an extension of time of more than 14 days for filing brief, and only one extension shall be allowed.  Oral argument shall be set within 56 days of filing opening brief.  Motion made before oral argument shall not toll time for transmission of the record, filing of briefs, or hearing of arguments.  Supreme court shall not grant extension of more than 21 days for filing a petition for review.

SD App. R. 15-26A-75 In appeals taken pursuant to 15-26A-6.1: Appellant’s brief is due within 25 days after service of notice of appeal if transcript is obtained prior to appeal or not ordered.  Appellant’s brief is due within 25 days of service of the transcript or filings of the statements provided for in 15-26A-54 or 15-26A-55, if transcript is ordered but not received prior to appeal.  Appellee’s brief is due within 25 days of service of appellant’s brief. Appellant’s reply brief is due within 15 days of service of appellee’s brief.

SD App R. 15-26A-76: An extension of time for filing a brief in an adoption or an abuse and neglect action will be granted only upon application and notice, said application to be made to the chief justice of the supreme court and allowed only for good cause.

TN R. App. P. 2 Suspension of Rules: For good cause the supreme court and courts of appeals may suspend requirements of any rule in a particular case.  Applies to all types of appeals.

TN R. App. P. 8A Appeal as of Right in Termination of Parental Right Cases: Rule designed to expedite TPR appeals.

S.B. 179 Enrolled Copy, 2004 General Session: Governor signed on March 17, 2004.  Expedited Appeals in Child Welfare Cases.  This bill amends provisions relating to appeals from juvenile court cases. This bill creates an expedited process for appeals from juvenile court orders; requires the notice of appeal to be signed by appellant’s counsel and appellant, unless the appellant is a minor child or the state; provides that failure to timely sign a notice of appeal results in the dismissal of the appeal; requires the attorney general to represent the state in all appeals under this chapter; requires the court to notify the parties in open court of the requirements regarding filing an appeal; requires parties to an appeal to maintain regular contact with their counsel and keep all other parties and the appellate court informed of their whereabouts; requires the court to inform the parties’ counsel of their obligation to represent their clients throughout the appellate process unless relieved of that obligation; repeals the minor and other parties' right to appeal if they were not represented by counsel; and makes technical changes.

Pierce, Martha. “Making Appeals More Child Friendly.” Utah State Bar Journal, April 2004.

VT R. App. P. 3 (d): Family law cases must be indicated as such on the notice of appeal

VT R. App. P. 10 (b)(7): In family law cases, appellant shall order the transcript at the same time the notice of appeal is filed.

VT R. App. P. 26(b): In family law cases, enlargement of time will be granted only in cases of extraordinary circumstances.

The Vermont State Initiative on Protecting Abused and Neglected Children:  A Plan to Achieve Permanence for Abused and Neglected Children in State Custody / submitted to the Vermont Supreme Court.  Vermont:  State Initiative on Protecting Abused and Neglected Children, 1997.  (KFV104.6 .V47)

WA St. Ct. R. on App. 18.12: Appellate court may set any review proceeding for accelerated disposition.

WA St. Ct. R. on App. 18.13: Juvenile dependency and termination of parental rights dispositions shall be reviewed by accelerated review done by motion.

WA St. Ct. R. on App. 18.15: Accelerated Review of Adult Sentencings– Allows for parties to jointly petition court for expedited review of appeal.  Petition must be filed within 15 days after appeal is filed.  Court can also select cases for expedited review under 18.12.  Within 30 days of granting petition, parties must file an agreed report of proceedings. Report is limited to five pages.  Briefs are limited to ten pages and two issues.  Appellant’s brief must be filed within 15 days of agreed report.  Respondent’s brief must be filed within 15 days of service of appellant’s brief.  Oral argument is limited to 15 minutes for each side.  Decision shall be rendered within 30 days of oral argument or approval of waiver of oral argument, except in extraordinary circumstances.

WV R. Proc. for Child Abuse and Neg. Proc. R. 49: Accelerated Appeal for Abuse, Neglect and TPR Cases – “In order to provide the most inexpensive and expeditious procedure for appeal of Circuit Court orders under W. Va. Code Section 49-6-1 et seq., a petitioner shall file his or her petition for appeal within 60 days of judgment without presentation of a transcript using the procedure provided in Rule 4A of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.  As provided therein, petitioner may submit a part of the transcript of testimony or those sections, which are necessary evidence to support his or her petition.  An extension of the time limitations for appeal not to exceed an additional 60 days, may be granted by the court on the grounds that no transcript of the proceedings has been prepared but only upon a showing of extraordinary circumstances, and further provided that the request for an extension of time has been filed and served prior to the expiration of the initial 60 day time period for filing the petition for appeal.  The bond for costs otherwise required by Rule 4A(e) of the Rules of Appellate Procedure shall be waived pursuant to this rule.  The Supreme Court of appeals shall give priority to appeals of abuse and/or neglect proceedings and TPR cases and shall establish and administer an accelerated schedule in each case, to include the completion of the record, briefing, oral argument, and decision.”  (Amended by order adopted and effective January 25, 2000.)

Wigal, Grace. “Appellate Procedure in West Virginia: Why Rule 4A’s Expedited Petition Process Isn’t Attractive to Attorneys.” Juvenile Appellate Practice and Procedure 4 (spring 2002).