An appeal from a judgment freeing a minor who is a dependent child of the juvenile court from parental custody and control, or denying a recommendation to free a minor from parental custody or control, shall have precedence over all cases in the court to which an appeal in the matter is taken. In order to enable the child to be available for adoption as soon as possible and to minimize the anxiety to all parties, the appellate court shall grant an extension of time to a court reporter or to counsel only upon an exceptional showing of good cause.
§ 45.Precedence to be given to appeals from judgments freeing minors from parental custody and control; Extensions of time
Title 1. Organization and Jurisdiction · Chapter 3. Supreme Court · Last amended 1997 · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentence§ 45 gives top priority to an appeal from a judgment freeing, or refusing to free, a dependent child from parental custody and control, and limits extensions of time on that appeal to an exceptional showing of good cause so the child can become available for adoption without delay.
Full Text of § 45
Plain-English Summary
A dependency appeal over parental rights carries a clock that matters to a child, not just to the parties. § 45 gives these appeals precedence over every other case in the court hearing them.
The section covers an appeal from a judgment that frees a dependent child of the juvenile court from parental custody and control, and also an appeal from a decision denying a recommendation to free the child. Because the goal is to make the child available for adoption as soon as possible and to spare everyone involved prolonged anxiety, the appellate court may grant an extension of time to a court reporter or to counsel only on an exceptional showing of good cause — a higher bar than an ordinary extension request.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of appeal does § 45 cover?
An appeal from a judgment freeing a dependent child from parental custody and control, or from a decision denying a recommendation to free the child, in a juvenile dependency case.
Why does § 45 restrict extensions of time?
Because delay keeps a child from being available for adoption and prolongs anxiety for everyone involved, so the appellate court may extend a deadline for a reporter or counsel only on an exceptional showing of good cause.
Amendment History
Added Stats 1988 ch 805 § 2, operative January 1, 1993. Amended Stats 1997 ch 510 § 1 (AB 329).
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 28, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: dependency appeal preferencetermination of parental rights appeal priorityadoption appeal extension of time