Rule 660 was added in 1975 to clarify the procedure in appeals from determinations under the Juvenile Court Act. It provides simply that appeals from determinations in delinquency proceedings are governed by the rules applicable to appeals in criminal cases, and all other appeals under the Act are governed by the rules governing appeals in civil cases. Paragraph (b) was amended in 1985 to delete references to “minors in need of supervision,” “neglected minors” and “dependent minors,” because of various additions, deletions and changes in the labels which are now applied to minors who may be adjudicated wards in proceedings before the circuit court. Paragraph (c) was added effective October 1, 2001, to help protect the identities of minors. The amendment requires that their first name and last initial, or their initials only, appear on documents filed with the Appellate Court or any subsequent court. The requirement covers the parties’ briefs, motions, and other similar papers. The amendment does not require deletion of names from the trial court record in preparing the record on appeal, nor does it address the means by which the Appellate Court or a subsequent court maintains the confidentiality of documents appearing in the record. Rule 660A. Expedited Appeals in Delinquent Minor Cases The expedited procedures in this rule shall apply to appeals from final judgments in delinquent minor proceedings arising under the Juvenile Court Act.
(a) Special Caption; Service of Notice of Appeal on Trial Judge. The notice of appeal or petition for leave to appeal, docketing statement, briefs and all other notices, motions and pleadings filed by any party in relation to an appeal involving a delinquent minor case under the Juvenile Court Act shall include the following statement in bold type on the top of the front page: THIS APPEAL INVOLVES A DELINQUENT MINOR PROCEEDING UNDER THE JUVENILE COURT ACT. When the notice of appeal is filed pursuant to the provisions of Rule 606(b), it shall also be served on the trial judge.
(b) Status Hearing in Circuit Court. Upon receipt of the notice of appeal in a delinquent minor case arising under the Juvenile Court Act, the trial judge shall take any and all action necessary to expedite preparation of the record on appeal. The trial court shall have continuing jurisdiction for the purpose of enforcing the rules for preparation of the record. The trial court may request the assistance of the chief judge to resolve filing delays, and the chief judge shall assign or reassign the court reporting personnel’s work as necessary to ensure compliance with the filing deadlines.
(c) Record. The record on appeal shall be filed in the appellate court no later than 35 days after the filing of the notice of appeal or granting of leave to appeal. Any request for extension of the time for filing shall be accompanied by an affidavit of the court clerk or court reporting personnel stating the reason for the delay, and shall be served on the trial judge and the chief judge of the circuit. Lack of advance payment shall not be a reason for noncompliance with filing deadlines for the record or transcript. Any subsequent request for an extension of time shall be made to the appellate court by written notice and motion to all parties in accordance with rules.
(d) Time for Filing of Briefs in the Appellate Court. Unless otherwise ordered by the appellate court, the brief of the appellant shall be filed in the reviewing court within 28 days from the filing of the record on appeal. Within 28 days from the due date of the appellant’s brief, the appellee shall file a brief in the reviewing court. Within 7 days from the due date of the appellee’s brief, the appellant may file a reply brief in the reviewing court.
(e) Oral Argument. If oral argument is requested by a party, a reviewing court shall, no later than seven days from the due date of appellant’s reply brief, determine whether the case should be called for oral argument.
(f) Deadline for Decision. Except for good cause shown, the appellate court shall file its decision within 150 days after the filing of the notice of appeal.
(g) Extensions of Time Disfavored. Requests for extensions of time are disfavored and shall be granted only for compelling circumstances.
(h) Effective Date. This rule shall apply to all orders in which a notice of appeal is filed after its effective date. Adopted Mar. 15, 2013, eff. May 1, 2013; amended May 23, 2013, eff. July 1, 2013; amended Apr. 3, 2018, eff. July 1, 2018.
