Understanding Post-Conviction Relief in Texas
Review Texas post-conviction relief procedures, issue-specific records, official sources, and attorney or non-attorney support options.
Understanding the starting point
Post-conviction review concerns an existing conviction or sentence. Begin by identifying the judgment, whether a direct appeal is pending or complete, and what new issue needs examination. A disappointing result alone does not identify a procedural route.
Texas procedure and this issue
The first Texas question is the disposition, not the label someone gives the problem. A final felony prison judgment, an order imposing community supervision and a death sentence use different statutory tracks. Article 11.07 routes fact development through the convicting court while reserving ultimate disposition to the Court of Criminal Appeals. Article 11.073 addresses certain scientific-evidence grounds; Chapter 64 separately addresses forensic DNA testing. Neither an innocence referral nor a document-preparation agreement itself initiates one of these proceedings.
Check the record and procedural history
For a final non-death felony conviction, the Article 11.07 process begins with the clerk of the convicting court and ultimately reaches the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. A community-supervision case requires separate attention to Article 11.072. Keep the original judgment, revocation history and earlier writ orders together: they determine the procedural category before anyone evaluates the requested relief. A family member’s current city does not move the conviction to a different county.
What issue has not yet received a full review? Which record or witness can support it? What earlier filing addressed the same subject?
Help with documents and court representation
PCRC is a non-attorney legal support and document-preparation service for pro se clients. Attorney advice and court representation are distinct services. Compare the provider type and written scope before engaging help; a featured directory listing does not establish a right to relief.
Records for this issue
- Judgment and sentence
- docket
- appeal opinions and mandate
- prior motions and orders
Provider roles for this issue
| Type of help | Typical purpose | Confirm first |
|---|---|---|
| Law firm | Legal advice and court representation | Licensing, case fit, and engagement terms |
| Non-attorney legal support | Document preparation, research, organization | Permitted scope; who signs and files |
| Nonprofit / innocence review | Qualifying case review or legal services | Eligibility, intake, and representation status |
| Official resources | Forms, rules, records, and court contacts | Current version and local requirements |
Listings have no scores or ratings. Listing methodology
Post-Conviction Relief Center (PCRC)
Non-attorney legal support and document preparation for people representing themselves. PCRC operates this directory; services do not include attorney representation.
L&L Law Group, PLLC
DFW law firm publishing Article 11.07 and 11.072 habeas services. Confirm case fit and geographic coverage directly.
Jessica Graf Law
Attorney practice offering Texas Article 11.07 habeas applications and criminal appellate work.
Bennett & Bennett
Houston attorney practice publishing statewide Texas post-conviction habeas services. Consultation and litigation fees are described on its site.
Innocence Project of Texas
Free investigative and legal services for people incarcerated for crimes they did not commit. Review its case criteria before applying.
Texas Indigent Defense Commission — Innocence Projects
Official list of Texas law-school innocence projects. A resource directory rather than a commercial service.
Related Texas guides
Sources for Post-Conviction Relief
Common questions
Does finding a provider preserve a court deadline?
No. A directory visit, inquiry or service agreement is not itself a court filing. Use the actual judgment and filing history to check the procedure, current requirements and any applicable exception.
What records are useful for this inquiry?
Start with judgment and sentence, docket, appeal opinions and mandate, prior motions and orders. Include all earlier orders on the same subject rather than sending only a new summary.
PCRC offers non-attorney legal support and document preparation for pro se clients.
Updated October 8, 2026. General information; the appropriate filing, deadline, and relief depend on the case. Provider information is based on linked public pages, not a licensing audit.