In the Matter of the Marriage of Jamika Jackson and Akli Bakari Jackson and in the Interest of M.E.J., a Child v. the State of Texas
Court
Court of Appeals of Texas
Decided
June 18, 2025
Jurisdiction
SA
Importance
44%
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Case Summary
Court of Appeals Tenth Appellate District of Texas 10-25-00170-CV In the Matter of the Marriage of Jamika Jackson and Akli Bakari Jackson and In the Interest of M.E.J., a Child On appeal from the County Court at Law of Navarro County, Texas Judge Amanda Doan Putman, presiding Trial Court Cause No. C21-30154-CV CHIEF JUSTICE JOHNSON delivered the opinion of the Court. MEMORANDUM OPINION Appellant filed an appeal from an oral ruling dismissing a guardian ad litem and extending temporary orders in a proceeding under the Family Code. By letter dated June 10, 2025, the Clerk of this Court notified Appellant that the appeal is subject to dismissal because there is no final, appealable order and that the appeal would be dismissed unless, within 14 days, a response was filed showing grounds for continuing the appeal. A response was filed on June 11, 2025, but it does not show any ground to continue the appeal. Temporary orders in proceedings relating to a child under the Family Code are not appealable. See TEX. FAM. CODE §105.001(e); see also Little v. Daggett, 858 S.W.2d 368, 369 (Tex. 1993) (orig. proceeding) (per curiam). Accordingly, this appeal is dismissed for want of jurisdiction. TEX. R. APP. P. 42.3(a). MATT JOHNSON Chief Justice OPINION DELIVERED and FILED: June 18, 2025 Before Chief Justice Johnson, Justice Smith, and Justice Harris Appeal dismissed CV06 In the Matter of the Marriage of Jackson Page 2
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Status
Decided
Date Decided
June 18, 2025
Jurisdiction
SA
Court Type
federal
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Case Overview
In the case In the Matter of the Marriage of Jamika Jackson and Akli Bakari Jackson and in the Interest of M.E.J., a Child, the Court of Appeals of Texas addressed an appeal concerning temporary orders in a family law proceeding. The appeal was filed after an oral ruling dismissed a guardian ad litem and extended temporary orders related to child custody.
Key Legal Issues
- Jurisdiction: Whether the Court had jurisdiction to hear the appeal.
- Appealability of Temporary Orders: Determining if temporary orders in family law cases are appealable under Texas law.
Court's Decision
The Court dismissed the appeal for want of jurisdiction, stating that the appeal was not based on a final, appealable order. The ruling emphasized that temporary orders related to child custody proceedings are not subject to appeal under Texas Family Code.
Legal Reasoning
The Court's decision was grounded in the Texas Family Code, specifically §105.001(e), which states that temporary orders in child custody cases are not appealable. The Court referenced the precedent set in Little v. Daggett, 858 S.W.2d 368 (Tex. 1993), which further clarified the non-appealability of temporary orders.
The Court noted that the appellant's response to the Clerk's notification did not provide sufficient grounds to continue the appeal, reinforcing the lack of jurisdiction.
Key Holdings
- The appeal was dismissed due to the absence of a final, appealable order.
- Temporary orders in child custody proceedings are not appealable under Texas law.
- The appellant failed to demonstrate grounds for continuing the appeal as required by the Court.
Precedents and Citations
- Texas Family Code §105.001(e): Addresses the appealability of temporary orders in family law cases.
- Little v. Daggett, 858 S.W.2d 368 (Tex. 1993): A key case that established the precedent regarding the non-appealability of temporary orders.
Practical Implications
This ruling underscores the importance of understanding the limitations of appealable orders in family law cases. Legal practitioners should be aware that:
- Temporary orders do not provide a basis for appeal, which can affect strategies in custody disputes.
- Clients must be informed about the nature of temporary orders and their implications in ongoing family law proceedings.
- The dismissal of appeals for lack of jurisdiction highlights the need for careful legal counsel when navigating family law matters.
In conclusion, the Court's dismissal of the appeal in the Jackson case serves as a critical reminder of the procedural nuances in family law and the importance of finality in appealable orders. Legal professionals must ensure that their clients understand these principles to effectively manage their cases.
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Case Details
Legal case information
Status
Decided
Date Decided
June 18, 2025
Jurisdiction
SA
Court Type
federal
Legal Significance
Case importance metrics
Metadata
Additional information
Quick Actions
Case management tools