Criminal Appeal Win: PDR Granted & Convictions Vacated

– Blizzard and Zimmerman Attorneys

Convictions Vacated After PDR Granted - Texas Criminal Appeal Wine

When justice matters most, experienced appellate advocacy can make all the difference.

At Blizzard & Zimmerman Attorneys, we helped a client overturn wrongful convictions through strategic appeals and a Petition for Discretionary Review (PDR) - a rare and significant legal victory in Texas criminal appeals.

Taylor County Texas Courthouse

Case Overview

In 2017, our client was convicted in Taylor County, Texas on multiple serious felony charges including Sexual Assault and Indecency by Contact.

The case grew more complex when additional charges were added in 2018.

Despite a guilty verdict and long sentences, we took over the legal fight after trial and focused on appellate remedies

Uncovering The Truth

After the trial court denied a motion for new trial, we appealed to the 11th Court of Appeals in Eastland, TX. While the appellate court initially upheld the convictions, we did not stop there.

Our team filed a Petition for Discretionary Review (PDR) with the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals -  the highest criminal court in the state. A PDR is a specialized appellate procedure rarely granted, and only used when serious legal errors demand review.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals granted the PDR, agreed to hear the case, and ultimately recognized key errors in how the trial was handled - including ineffective assistance of the original trial counsel.

The Outcome: Several Convictions Vacated

Thanks to our appellate advocacy:

The Court vacated several felony convictions that had led to decades of prison time.

  • Two lengthy 45-year sentences were eliminated.

  • Our client now has a path forward for further post-conviction relief.

This victory underscores how critical it is to have a board-certified criminal appeals lawyer who knows how to navigate complex appellate law and pursue every legal avenue for relief.

Why It Matters

A conviction being means the court legally sets aside that prior judgment, essentially erasing part of the legal record and opening doors to new relief.<
Not all cases are appropriate for PDRs, and fewer still are granted.
This outcome highlights the depth of experience and strategic appellate skill required to succeed in high-stakes criminal appeals.

Need Help With a Criminal Appeal in Texas?

If you or a loved one is facing a serious conviction and believe legal errors affected the outcome, post-conviction relief and appellate options may still be available,  even after the trial is over.

Call Blizzard & Zimmerman Attorneys: (325) 230-2751

Request a Free Case Review - No obligation, confidential review.

We represent clients all across Texas in criminal appeals, PDR petitions, habeas corpus writs, and other post-conviction relief efforts.

Disclaimer

Board Certified Appellate Attorneys Jacob Blizzard and Sarah Durham, Senior Associate Attorney Morgan Walker, and our dedicated staff work tirelessly on behalf of each client and their family. The outcome described here represents one of many successful results we have achieved. Because every case is unique and depends on its specific facts and circumstances, results will vary, and similar outcomes cannot be guaranteed.