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Appeals court hears challenge to denial of continuance for methadone records in DCF termination case
Summary
Mother appeals a juvenile-court termination ruling, arguing the trial judge abused discretion by refusing a third continuance to obtain methadone treatment records the judge earlier described as "highly relevant." DCF and the child's counsel said the records were cumulative and the judge reasonably weighed the total record of parental unfitness.
A three-judge panel of the Appeals Court heard argument in an impounded care-and-protection appeal over whether a juvenile court abused its discretion by denying a continuance the mother sought to introduce methadone clinic records (Department of Children and Families v. Mother, 2025-0295).
Colleen Duran, who presented argument for the mother, said the juvenile judge had twice granted time to obtain treatment records and described the records as "highly relevant," but then denied a further continuance after the defense sought a September 4 submission of the records. Duran said the records would have shown recent engagement in treatment and negative screens during the months before trial and that, because the juvenile court…
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