How can a litigant get an appeal accelerated or otherwise expedited?
Whenever an interlocutory appeal is permitted, the interlocutory appeal is automatically accelerated. See Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 28.1(a). Appeals of final judgments in quo warranto proceedings are also accelerated. See Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 28.1(a). The appeal of a final judgment in a primary contest is also accelerated. See Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 28.1(a); Texas Election Code § 232.014(b). Although not technically accelerated, appeals of other final judgments are “given precedence by law.” See Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 40.1(a). For example, appeals from final judgments in unemployment disputes are apparently given precedence by law. See Texas Labor Code § 212.208. The same is true when there is a final judgment of dismissal based on a litigant’s exercise of right of free speech, right to petition, or right of association. See Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 27.008(b). Additionally, an appellate court has discretion to give precedence to any “case that the court determines should be given precedence in the interest of justice.” See Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 40.1(c). So, a litigant may file a motion requesting that an appeal be accelerated.
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