Connie Marie MacInnes, Appellant v. Deborah Butts and Darlene Crandall, Appellees (2014)

MEMORANDUM OPINION

Before the Court is appellees' motion to dismiss the appeal.   Appellees contend the appeal should be dismissed because appellant, appearing pro se, has failed to file a brief that complies with the rules of appellate procedure.   See TEX. R. APP. P. 38.1.

Initially, we must note that a pro se litigant is held to the same standards as licensed attorneys and must comply with applicable laws and rules of procedure.   See Strange v. Cont'l Cas. Co., 126 S.W.3d 676, 677–78 (Tex.App.–Dallas 2004, pet. denied).   On appeal, as at trial, the pro se appellant must properly present its case.

Appellant's original appellate brief was deficient.   We notified appellant of the multiple deficiencies and directed her to file an amended brief.   We cautioned appellant that failure to file an amended brief correcting the deficiencies may result in dismissal of the appeal without further notice.   Appellant filed an amended brief.   The amended brief, however, failed to correct all of the deficiencies.   Among other deficiencies, the amended brief contains no citations to the record and fails to contain a clear and concise argument for the contentions made with appropriate citations to authorities.   See TEX. R. APP. P. 38.1(d), (g) & (i).

Appellant filed a response to appellees' motion, but nothing in her response persuades us her appeal should not be dismissed.   We have given appellant an opportunity to correct her amended brief.   Because her amended brief failed to correct major deficiencies, we grant appellee's motion and dismiss the appeal.   See TEX. R. APP. P. 42.3(b) & (c).

Opinion by Justice Myers