How long does a Texas criminal appeal take?

Every case is different, but a direct appeal typically takes months, not weeks: the court reporter prepares the record, both sides file briefs, and the court deliberates before ruling. Post-conviction writs run on their own timelines. In your free consultation, Brent can give you a realistic picture based on the specific court and issues involved.

Can you appeal after a guilty plea in Texas?

Sometimes. A guilty plea limits — but does not always eliminate — the right to appeal, and the trial court's certification of the right to appeal matters. Even where a direct appeal is unavailable, post-conviction habeas relief may still be an option. This is a question that can only be answered by reviewing the specific case documents.

What is an 11.07 writ?

An application for a writ of habeas corpus under Article 11.07 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure — the primary way to challenge a final felony conviction after the direct appeal, based on matters outside the trial record, such as ineffective assistance of counsel or newly discovered evidence. It is ultimately decided by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

What is a petition for discretionary review (PDR)?

A PDR asks the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals — the state's highest court for criminal cases — to review a court of appeals decision. Review is discretionary: the court selects which cases to hear, so an effective petition must show why the case raises an issue important beyond its own facts.

What happens if the appeal is denied?

A denial is not necessarily the end of the road. Depending on the stage, the options may include a motion for rehearing, a petition for discretionary review, a state habeas writ, or federal habeas review. Each has its own strict deadline, which is why next steps should be evaluated promptly after any adverse decision.

Who handles criminal appeals in Texas?

Usually a different lawyer than the one who tried the case. Appeals are a distinct discipline built on the record, briefing, and oral argument — first in the Texas courts of appeals, then the Court of Criminal Appeals. When comparing appellate lawyers, one credential is objective and verifiable: Board Certification in Criminal Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Houston & Harris County

Harris County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Brent Chapell’s most recent role before founding Chapell Law was inside the Harris County District Attorney’s Office itself — leading its Public Integrity Division. He knows the office prosecuting your case because he served in its leadership.

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Board Certified in Criminal Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Former Appellate Chief

Chief of the Appellate Division, Montgomery County DA's Office — 200+ criminal appeals and habeas writs
Former Federal Prosecutor

Appellate Division, U.S. Attorney's Office, S.D. Texas — 80+ Fifth Circuit appeals and writs
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State Bar of Texas · U.S. District Court, S.D. Texas · Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals · U.S. Supreme Court

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Harris County runs one of the busiest criminal court systems in the country. Navigating it well takes more than legal knowledge — it takes understanding how its DA’s office screens cases, how its dockets actually move, and where the leverage points are.

Brent’s perspective is unusually current: he served as a Division Chief in the Harris County DA’s Office, leading the Public Integrity Division, before opening his own practice to defend the accused.

From misdemeanors to felonies, white collar matters to appeals from Harris County convictions, Chapell Law defends cases throughout Houston and Harris County — with the record protected at every step.

He Served in the Office Across the Table

If your case is in Harris County, few perspectives are more direct. The consultation is free.

(713) 496-2221 · Free consultation · brent@chapell-law.com

Harris County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Board Certified

Former Appellate Chief

Former Federal Prosecutor

Court Admissions

Defense Inside Harris County

He Served in the Office Across the Table

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