Appeals & Writs
If you’ve been convicted of a crime, there are two avenues to try to reverse the conviction: appeals and writs. Austin-based criminal defense attorney Chris Perri has extensive experience practicing all types of post-conviction law—and winning. In fact, he’s routinely sought after as one of the best appellate lawyers in the state of Texas. With a sharp legal mind and an award-winning practice, Chris Perri can help you decide which post-conviction strategy would be most effective for your particular situation. A wrongful criminal conviction doesn’t mean all hope is lost.
“I was wrongfully convicted and was sentenced to spend 25 years to life in prison. Mr. Perri came in and applied his knowledge and expertise. I can now breathe and enjoy my new life. Words are not enough to express how thankful I am. ”
Appeals in Texas
Sometimes, the judge and jury are wrong. Sadly, innocent people receive unfair sentences on a regular basis. When they do, the American legal system allows them to appeal to a higher court for relief, but you must act quickly. In Texas, a person has only 30 days to notify the courts of their intent to appeal. If the case is federal, then you have only 14 days. Chris Perri Law can help you navigate this process.
The appeal proceeds “on the record,” meaning that the appeal is limited to raising issues stemming from the trial itself. As a result, Chris Perri’s first step in an appeal is to review the trial transcript in order to analyze every possible issue that might help reverse your conviction. Then, he organizes the most compelling arguments into a persuasive document, which is sent to the higher courts. If the higher courts are convinced, then you’ll receive a new trial. If they deny your appeal, then you can try again with the court above them, all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. Rest assured, if you hire Chris Perri, no rock with be left unturned, no legal angle left unexplored. There is a reason why other attorneys often seek his guidance—when it comes to appeals and writs, Chris Perri is one of the top legal minds in Texas.
To learn about our pricing for criminal appeals, click here.
Writs in Texas
Post-conviction writs—also known as “writs of habeas corpus”—provide an opportunity to introduce any new evidence to the courts that could prove your innocence.
For example, if new DNA evidence is discovered that shows you could not have committed the crime, this evidence can be presented in a post-conviction writ. Or, if it can be proven that the prosecution illegally hid evidence from the defense during trial, then a Brady claim can be raised in a writ.
One of the most common allegations on a writ is that a defendant’s trial attorney rendered “ineffective assistance,” such as neglecting to object to certain evidence or failing to adequately investigate the case. In a writ proceeding, appellate lawyer Chris Perri can argue that the previous trial attorney’s mistakes were inexcusable. The court will then determine whether the trial would have proceeded differently if the trial attorney had more effectively defended the client. Chris Perri has helped clients overturn their convictions through this process, and he’s ready to help you, too.
For information on the cost of a writ of habeas corpus at our firm, click here.
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Our Process at Chris Perri Law
Chris Perri is one of a select few criminal defense attorneys to have a robust federal and state post-conviction practice. Based in Austin and practicing throughout Texas, our firm has successfully helped clients reverse their convictions through appeals and writs of habeas corpus, and we can help you, too.
Through his 15+ years of helping people overturn wrongful convictions in both federal and Texas courts, Chris Perri has refined his process in order to offer the highest quality and fairest service to those seeking help. Below is our 3-step process, explained.
Step 1 – Free Case Consultation
If you are interested in pursuing an appeal or writ, the first step is to schedule a free case consultation with our firm, Chris Perri Law. This meeting will give both you, and us, the opportunity to decide if working together makes sense.
During this initial consultation, we’ll provide a cost estimate, as well as a recommendation on whether to pursue a writ or appeal. If we believe there is no chance of either route being successful, we’ll be upfront and tell you. We pride ourselves on honest and straightforward communication. If we do take your case, you can be confident that we will fight with everything we have to obtain the best result possible.
Step 2 – Case Investigation
If you move forward with hiring our criminal defense firm, we operate in two phases. First, we begin with a case investigation. This is before the preparation of the writ or appeal begins, so you only have to pay for the case investigation, not the entire process, upfront. Most post-conviction lawyers automatically charge the entire fee from the start, but we believe it’s most fair to handle post-conviction cases step by step when possible. However, if a time-sensitive appeal is obviously the best move, sometimes it does make sense to combine steps 2 and 3.
During the case investigation phase, Chris Perri will rigorously analyze every angle of the case—no detail is too small. He’ll study all records, interview witnesses, and develop a thorough and honest assessment of the strength of arguments he could raise in an appeal or writ.
Step 3 – Prepare Writ or Appeal
If you decide to move forward with hiring our firm to prepare a writ or appeal, we will be with you every step of the way. We will craft a persuasive argument, file it with the federal or Texas courts, and zealously litigate the case before judges on your behalf.
Chris Perri Law Is Here to Help
An award-winning attorney who has argued in front of the 5th Circuit, Chris Perri has extensive experience overturning wrongful convictions in Texas through both appeals and writs.
In fact, over fifteen years ago, Chris Perri began his career in criminal law in the appellate division of the Travis County District Attorney’s Office. There, he learned to write compelling appellate briefs, and his years in the DA’s office taught him how judges and prosecutors think. This experience allows him to anticipate the arguments that will be raised in an appeal or writ and prepare a convincing case to withstand those arguments.
With our firm on your side, you can rest assured that you’ve put the case in the best hands possible.
A criminal conviction doesn’t mean the fight for freedom is over. To learn more about your options, call our award-winning criminal defense firm, Chris Perri Law, at (512) 269-0260 for a free consultation today. No matter your situation, you deserve the best defense.
