Dep't of Human Servs. v. A. B. (In Re J. B.)

When a parent appeals from a jurisdictional judgment making the Department of Human Services (the department) the legal custodian of the parent's child and that wardship is subsequently terminated, the department may file a motion to dismiss the appeal as moot. In this case, we conclude that termination of such a wardship does not necessarily render the appeal moot; whether dismissal is appropriate will depend on the particular circumstances presented. If a parent identifies practical effects or collateral consequences that the parent believes will result from the judgment, then the…