Trying Your Juvenile Court Case for Appeal and Beyond….

1. Trying Your Juvenile Court Case for Appeal and Beyond…. Louis P. Milot, Esq. Attorney at Law

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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).

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).

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Thanks for Listening ~