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Trying Your Juvenile Court Case for Appeal and Beyond…. Louis P. Milot, Esq. Attorney at Law. Prosecuting Your Case…. Use Tools Available under Code of Civil Procedure Venue Substitution Bill of Particulars Motions to Dismiss Answer Conduct Pre-trial Discovery/Contest Subpoenas
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Trying Your Juvenile Court Case for Appeal and Beyond…. Louis P. Milot, Esq. Attorney at Law
Prosecuting Your Case… • Use Tools Available under Code of Civil Procedure • Venue • Substitution • Bill of Particulars • Motions to Dismiss • Answer • Conduct Pre-trial Discovery/Contest Subpoenas • Interrogatories • Request to Admit • Depositions • Motion to Quash Subpoena
Continued…. • Develop a Plan, Theory, and/or Strategy • Petition not proven (factual) • Petition proven but still not abuse or neglect (legal) • Memorialize Proceedings • Court Reporter • Electronic Recordings • Trying the Juvenile Court Case • Know your Burden of Proofs • Cross-Examination • Make Offers of Proof • Introduce your Evidence • Rebut Statutory Presumptions whenever possible • When appropriate, seek Rule 304 when ruling on non-final orders • Challenge Convention
Appealing Your Case… • Final Appeal Orders ~ • Adjudicatory Orders Not Usually Final Order w/ exceptions. In re M.J., 314 I11. App. 3d 649, 654-55 (2nd Dist. 2000). • Dispositional Order is Final Order • Permanency Review Order Not Final Orders (w/ exceptions = New Dispositional/Change Guardian?) In re Curtis B., 203 I11 2d 53 (2002). • Unfitness Determination (Adoption) Not Final Order • Best Interest Order Terminating Parental Rights Final Order. In re J.B., 204 I11. 2d 382 (2003). • Contempt Order with Sanction Final Order. Rule 304 (b).(5).
Continued…. • Meritorious Appeal ~ • Procedural Irregularity • Substantive Irregularity • Moot-ness ~ • Actual Controversy • Public Interest Exception • Likely Repetition • When/How to Appeal ~ • Notice of Appeal 30 Days from Final Orders (Rule 303). • Notice of Appeal 30 Days from Interlocutory Order (Rule 306). • If not stayed per Rules 305, 368, file Motion to Stay Implementation of court order. • Request transcript of proceeding and common law record. Timelines for preparation of each in the Rules. (321, 323, and 325). • Prepare Docketing Statement per Rule 312. • Adhere to Rule 343 timelines after Appeal docketed (Court Calendar).
Continued…. • Where to Appeal ~ • (Rules 22, 317, 318, and 365) • Appellate District • Know your Judges/Justices. (See Diagram #1) * • The Brief ~ • Comply with Form and Format per Rule 341 • Include the Appropriate Standard of Review per Rule 341 (h).(2). • Include Rule 311 Expedite Language When Appropriate • Request Oral Argument per Rules 345 (c), 351 & 352 • Certificate of Compliance * • The Mandate (Final Decision of Appellate Court) ~ • Request Publication if Decision is Favorable (Rule 23) • Order Granting Request for Publication resets clock for PLA to S. Ct. • Petition to Leave to Appeal Sup. Ct. ~ • PLA must be filed within 35 days of lower court decision. • Additional Brief per Rule 315.
Writing Your Brief • Frame the Issue(s) in your favor. • Marshalling Facts to your advantage. • Watch your language and your back. • Research your issues. * • Tell the Appellate Court what you want. • Lastly, file a Reply Brief.
