Appealing a criminal conviction is the process of attempting to show that there is a legal reason your conviction should be overturned. Every one convicted of a crime in the State of Texas has the right to an appeal, subject to the exception that pleading guilty typically requires a waiver of the right to appeal.
The criminal appeals process is different from the process involved with the original criminal charge. In the appeals process, no new evidence is introduced, and there is no jury there to decide if you are guilty or not guilty. Instead, a panel of judges reviews the record of the trial to determine if any legal errors occurred to render your conviction unlawful. For example, if the judges find that evidence was admitted in the trial that should have been excluded, legal error has occurred, and your conviction may be overturned.
If you successfully overturn your conviction, the case will be sent back down to the trial court, where the prosecutors can decide to either re-try your case, offer you a new plea deal, or dismiss your case.
If you believe you or a loved one has been wrongfully convicted in Texas, you need a team of skilled attorneys to help you through the complex criminal appeals process. Let us help.