Criminal Appeals Attorney in Collin County

Your Fight for Justice Isn't Over—Call (469) 960-4067

If you or someone you love has just been convicted or sentenced in Collin County, you may be feeling shocked, angry, or unsure what to do now. You may be wondering if a criminal appeals attorney in Collin County can take a fresh look at what happened and help you move forward. This is a time when deadlines are short, and the decisions you make can have lasting consequences.

At McDaniel Law, we focus on criminal and juvenile cases that come out of the Collin County courts. We help people review their convictions and sentences, explain whether an appeal or other post-convention option is realistic, and guide families through the next stage with clear information. As a family-owned firm based here, we work to pair strong legal advocacy with personal attention and support.

Our team understands how overwhelming this moment can feel. Our role is to cut through the confusion, look closely at the record from your case, and give you honest guidance about possible paths, including an appeal when it makes sense.

Call (469) 960-4067 or contact us online to speak with an appeals attorney in Collin County. We offer a free consultation to review your case and determine if a legal error warrants a reversal of your judgment.

Understanding the Appellate Process in Texas

A criminal appeal is not a new trial. Instead, it is a formal request for a higher court to review what happened in the Collin County courtroom and decide whether legal errors likely affected the outcome. The appellate judges typically look at the written record, including transcripts, motions, rulings, and the judgment, not at new testimony or evidence.

For cases that start in the Collin County District Courts or County Courts at Law, appeals usually move into a Texas appellate court. The specific path can depend on the type of charge and the level of court that handled your case. What matters most for you right now is that time limits are strict. In Texas, notices of appeal are often due within a short number of days after the judgment is signed.

In Texas, the process is governed by the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure (TRAP):

• Notice of Appeal: This is the most critical first step. In most Texas cases, you must file a Notice of Appeal within 30 days of the judge signing the final judgment. If a timely Motion for New Trial is filed, this deadline may be extended to 90 days.
• The Record: The appeal is decided based on the "Clerk’s Record" (court documents) and the "Reporter’s Record" (transcripts of the trial). Unlike a trial, no new witnesses or evidence are introduced.
• Appellate Briefing: This is where the case is won or lost. Your Collin County appeals lawyer must draft a formal brief that identifies specific "issues of error" and provides legal authority—statutes and case law—to support why the lower court’s decision should be reversed.
• Oral Argument: In some cases, the justices of the Fifth Court of Appeals will invite attorneys to present their arguments in person and answer questions from the bench.

Key Grounds for Appeal in Collin County

Many people reach out to us after something in court felt deeply unfair. They might have received a sentence that was much harsher than expected, lost a trial they believed they should have won, or agreed to a plea that now seems like a mistake. Others are parents whose child was adjudicated in a Collin County juvenile court, and they want to know if anything can be done.

However, a successful appeal requires more than just a disagreement with the jury’s decision. We must prove that a legal error occurred. 

Common grounds for appeal include:

• Evidentiary Errors: The judge allowed the jury to hear evidence that should have been excluded (such as hearsay or illegally seized property) or refused to let you present evidence that was vital to your defense.
• Instructional Errors: The judge gave the jury incorrect instructions on the law they were supposed to follow.
• Constitutional Violations: Your rights under the Fourth, Fifth, or Sixth Amendments were violated during the investigation or trial.
• Legal Insufficiency: The evidence presented at trial was so weak that no rational jury could have reached the verdict they did.
• Ineffective Assistance of Counsel: In criminal cases, a conviction may be overturned if your trial attorney’s performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness and prejudiced your case.

If you are unsure whether your situation is appropriate, you can contact our appeals lawyer in Collin County for a case review. We can look at the judgment and available record, talk through what happened, and explain whether an appeal or another type of post-conviction relief is something you may want to consider.

Why Time is of the Essence in Appellate Law

Once a judge in a Collin County courtroom pronounces a sentence, the clock on a possible appeal usually starts running. This can feel confusing, especially if you are still processing what just happened. If you miss the 30-day window to file your Notice of Appeal, you may permanently lose your right to challenge the judgment. At McDaniel Law Group, PLLC, we emphasize early intervention.

Here are practical steps you can take right away:

• Request copies of your judgment and any written plea or sentencing documents from the Collin County clerk’s office.
• Keep all paperwork you received from the court or your prior lawyer in one safe place.
• Avoid contacting the judge directly about your case, since that can create problems rather than solutions.
• Write down your memory of what happened at key hearings while details are still fresh.
• Reach out promptly to an appeals attorney in Collin County to understand deadlines and options.

The "collateral consequences" of a judgment—such as a prison sentence, a massive civil fine, or the loss of parental rights—continue even while an appeal is pending unless a "stay" or an "appeal bond" is granted. We work to protect your interests during this transition period.

How We Approach Criminal Appeals in Collin County

Appeals can be technical and paperwork-heavy, which is why a clear, organized process matters. When we review a case for a possible appeal, our team starts by gathering key documents from the Collin County District Clerk or County Clerk, including the judgment, any plea paperwork, and, when available, transcripts and written motions. We then look for potential legal issues, such as questions about rulings, concerns with how evidence was handled, or sentencing issues.

As a criminal appeals lawyer in Collin County, we focus on more than just spotting possible errors. We also analyze whether those issues are likely to matter to an appellate court. Some mistakes are frustrating but do not change the outcome in the eyes of the law, while others can be serious enough to support an appeal. We aim to explain this difference in plain language so you can make informed choices.

Communication is a central part of how we work. Because we are a family-owned firm, clients are not shuffled through layers of staff. We talk with you about what the trial record shows, what the realistic options appear to be, and the likely timelines involved. Our goal is that you never feel left in the dark about where your appeal or other request stands.

Our founding attorney, Danny McDaniel, brings a business executive background to our legal practice. This experience influences how we structure case reviews, manage deadlines, and communicate complex ideas. We work to present appellate arguments in a clear, orderly way and to keep families updated in terms they can understand.

To talk with our team about your situation and learn how we may be able to help, you can call for a confidential consultation. We will discuss your concerns, outline possible next steps, and help you understand important timelines.

Call (469) 960-4067 or reach out online to speak with our Collin County appeals lawyers today.