Criminal Appeals Attorney in Houston
A criminal conviction carries lifelong consequences — but it is not necessarily the end. Texas law provides convicted defendants with the right to appeal, and in many cases post-conviction relief is available even after direct appeal rights have been exhausted. Brent Chapell is Board Certified in Criminal Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has spent his career handling appeals at every level of the Texas court system.
Texas criminal appeals are complex, deadline-driven, and require a different skill set than trial practice. Brent Chapell spent years as an Appellate Chief in the Harris County District Attorney's Office before entering private practice — he knows how the government prosecutes appeals, and he uses that knowledge to defend against them.
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Board Certified
Board Certified in Criminal Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
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Former Appellate Chief
Chief of the Appellate Division, Montgomery County DA's Office — 200+ criminal appeals and habeas writs
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Former Federal Prosecutor
Appellate Division, U.S. Attorney's Office, S.D. Texas — 80+ Fifth Circuit appeals and writs
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Court Admissions
State Bar of Texas · U.S. District Court, S.D. Texas · Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals · U.S. Supreme Court
Texas Criminal Appeals
A Texas criminal conviction carries long-term consequences — but it is not always final. Texas has a robust appellate system, from the intermediate courts of appeals through the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA), the state's highest court for criminal matters. A well-argued appeal can result in a reversed conviction, a reduced sentence, or a new trial.
Chapell Law represents clients in direct criminal appeals and post-conviction proceedings in Texas state courts. Brent Chapell is Board Certified in Criminal Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization — one of a small number of attorneys in Texas with that certification — and a former Appellate Chief who has handled hundreds of state criminal appeals.
Texas Appellate Services
The Texas Appellate Process
After a Texas state conviction, the first step is filing a notice of appeal — within 30 days of sentencing in most cases. From there, the appellate record is prepared, briefs are written, and the court of appeals issues a decision. If unsuccessful, a petition for discretionary review can be filed with the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Post-conviction writs of habeas corpus under Article 11.07 of the Code of Criminal Procedure are available for claims that could not have been raised on direct appeal, such as ineffective assistance of counsel or newly discovered evidence.
Texas appellate practice requires specialized knowledge. The rules of appellate procedure, the standards of review, and the preferences of the CCA are all distinct from trial court practice. Board Certification in Criminal Appellate Law exists precisely because this work is specialized — and it matters who you hire.
Board Certified. Former Appellate Chief.
A Conviction Isn't Always Final.
Board Certified appellate counsel with hundreds of Texas criminal appeals. Contact Chapell Law to evaluate your case for direct appeal or post-conviction relief.