Friday, July 22, 2011

Texas Criminal Appeals

Potential clients seeking relief in the Texas appeal process must act quickly to preserve as many of their rights as possible. The appeal timetable is unforgiving. It must be complied with strictly to preserve a person's right to review in Texas appellate courts. Texas criminal defense lawyers, and prospective appeal clients alike, must be familiar with the applicable time limits regarding criminal appeals.

The day of sentencing is the critical date in the Texas appeal process. Most time limits imposed in a criminal appeal begin to run on the day a defendant is sentenced. Generally, the defendant has 30 calendar days within which to file a motion for new trial. Perfecting appeal also requires the defendant to file a notice of appeal, which vests jurisdiction in the appellate court, within this same 30 day period.

Appeals Lawyer

In a plea bargain situation, where the trial judge accepts, or does not exceed, the punishment recommendation by the prosecutor, a defendant typically waives his right to appeal except for matters raised by written motion and ruled upon prior to the plea. For example, motions to suppress evidence, ruled upon prior to the plea, are types of such appealable matters. Most appeals, however, result when a person's guilt or innocence is contested and fought-out before the trial judge or jury. A convicted defendant then appeals the finding of guilt. Also, errors committed during the punishment phase of the trial can be raised during such an appeal.

Texas Criminal Appeals

The motion for new trial is a tactic to develop non-record claims for appeal. Such claims might include ineffective assistance of counsel, juror misconduct, or disproportionate sentences. Other possible claims raised in a motion for new trial include the denial of counsel, the misdirection of the jury, defense witnesses prevented from appearing in court, or evidence tending to establish a person's innocence being intentionally destroyed or withheld. Also, any time the verdict is contrary to the law and evidence a claim can be raised in the motion for new trial.

In Texas, the notice of appeal must be filed within 30 calendar days of sentencing. The only exception is when a timely motion for new trial was filed. This extends the deadline for perfecting appeal to 90 days after sentencing. After the appeal is perfected, the transcript (i.e., "reporter's record") must be requested and a "designation for material" (e.g. exhibits) filed with the clerk. Although the request for the reporter's record and the designation are not subject to the 30 day deadline, they should be filed early to assure the ball is rolling and the appeal is proceeding in a relatively rapid fashion.

After notice of appeal is filed the defendant may request an appeal bond, provided the sentence did not exceed ten (10) years confinement. Granting an appeal bond is within the trial judge's discretion. The judge may also order the defendant comply with bond conditions. Such conditions include regular reporting, a curfew, or other reasonable conditions while on release pending appeal.

If you have any questions about the appeal of a criminal case in Brazos County, or other jurisdictions in Texas, please contact a Texas appeal attorney immediately to discuss your case.

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College Station lawyer, Stephen Gustitis, has practiced criminal law exclusively since 1990. First as an assistant district attorney with Brazos County and then in private defense practice. He is Texas Board Certified in criminal law and committed to the aggressive and ethical defense of citizens accused of crime.

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