Filing an appeal

The Appellate Section processes all criminal cases in which a Notice Of Appeal has been filed. A copy of the clerk’s record (the documents submitted to the appropriate appellate court) and the court reporters record are available for viewing in the Appellate Section and may be checked out by the attorney of record.

Non-death penalty cases appealed from the District Courts or the County Criminal Courts at Law are heard by either the First Court of Appeals or the Fourteenth Court of Appeals.

Death penalty cases are heard by the Court of Criminal Appeals.

Municipal Appeals

Municipal Appeals are heard by the County Criminal Courts at Law. Please see the Harris County Criminal Courts at Law Rules of Court for additional information regarding Municipal Appeals. If the ruling of the County Criminal Court at Law is appealed, the case will be heard by either the First Court of Appeals or the Fourteenth Court of Appeals.

Filing Documents in an Appellate Case

Documents may be filed in Customer Service or with the assigned District Court.

Purchasing Copies in an Appellate Case

Copies of the clerk’s records on pending appeals can be purchased through the Appellate Section. Copies of the clerk’s record on pending or mandated (closed) appeals can be purchased through Customer Service.