Cases involving expedited times for filing briefs

6.902(1) Expedited cases. The following cases are expedited on appeal: a. Child custody, physical care, or visitation. b. Adoption. c. Termination of parental rights proceedings under Iowa Code chapter 600A. d. Child in need of assistance or termination of parental rights proceedings under Iowa Code chapter 232 when full briefing has been granted. December 2025 APPELLATE PROCEDURE Ch 6, p.23 e. Criminal proceedings in which an appeal is taken from a judgment and sentence entered upon a guilty plea or from a sentence or resentencing order only. f. Juvenile proceedings affecting child placement. g. Lawyer disciplinary matters. h. Involuntary commitments of mentally ill persons under Iowa Code chapter 229. i. Involuntary commitments of persons with substance use disorders under Iowa Code chapter 125. j. Certified questions under Iowa Code chapter 684A. 6.902(2) Filing deadlines. a. The time for serving and filing briefs, other than reply briefs, is reduced by one-half of the time provided in rule 6.901(1). b. Reply briefs, except an appellee/cross-appellant’s reply brief, must be served and filed not more than 15 days after service or expiration of the time for service of the appellee’s brief. c. An appellee/cross-appellant’s reply brief must be served and filed not more than seven days after service of the appellant’s/cross-appellee’s reply brief. d. The court will not grant extensions of time in which to comply with the expedited deadlines except upon a showing of the most unusual and compelling circumstances. 6.902(3) Priority. Each case subject to rule 6.902 will be given the highest priority at all stages of the appellate process. These appeals will be accorded submission precedence over other civil cases. 6.902(4) Transcripts. Court reporters must give priority to transcription of proceedings in these cases. [Court Order October 31, 2008, effective January 1, 2009; January 26, 2024; September 29, 2023, effective April 1, 2024]