Chris Perri Law

Harris was still in high school when arrested for a murder he didn’t commit. Well over a decade later – time he’ll never get back – his name has finally been cleared.

Chicago man who served 12 years for murder wants life back. Key witness in case was blind. The federal civil rights lawsuit alleges that Darien Harris' wrongful conviction was caused by the "egregious misconduct" of Chicago police.

While it is never easy, we wish connection and peace to families impacted by incarcerated on this Father’s Day weekend.

This Father’s Day, remember the dads behind bars I am not asking you to feel sorry for these men but take some time to think about the impact that their absence has on their families and how it impacts your neighborhood.

Buckle up. Texas is in for a wild ride when it comes to regulating the cannabis market.

Strict rules over delta-8 and delta-9 likely for Texas’ booming h**p industry Lawmakers are struggling to balance demands for medicinal cannabis products with a wildly growing market that is outpacing meaningful regulation.

People often call us thinking they need help with an appeal, when in actuality, a writ of habeas corpus may be what can save them.

What Is the Difference Between an Appeal and Writ of Habeas Corpus in Texas? — Austin Criminal Defense Attorney - Chris Perri Law People often reach out to Chris Perri Law after their loved one was convicted of a crime in Texas. Whether the defendant signed a plea deal or lost at trial, there is a sense that something went wrong. Perhaps the defendant is actually innocent or the punishment was too harsh. Maybe the defendant re

Another reason to avoid driving while drunk (or even tipsy) this summer.

'No Refusal' initiative goes into effect this summer in Austin The Austin Police Department is enforcing this program to encourage sober driving.

The potential for wrongful arrests and convictions is ripe.

An AI tool used in thousands of criminal cases is facing legal challenges Cybercheck's founder has said the software tops 90% accuracy. Defense lawyers have said he lied under oath about his expertise and made false claims about when and where the technology has been used.

If you or a loved one has been convicted of a crime, act fast. Contact an appellate criminal defense attorney such as Chris Perri today.

How Long Do I Have to File a Criminal Appeal in Texas After Being Found Guilty? — Austin Criminal Defense Attorney - Chris Perri Law If you or a loved one was found guilty at trial in Texas, managing the next steps can be overwhelming. If you feel the conviction was unfair and you’d like to appeal the outcome, then acting fast is key. Both the federal and Texas state appellate processes come with strict deadlines. If you miss t...

On this day and every day, we give our respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We wish everyone a safe, fun, and reflective Memorial Day.

“Eddie’s election and subsequent re-election confirms what his constituents think — that for young people who may have made a mistake, your life is not over.”

He Went From Prison to Politics. Now He Helps Others Get a Second Act. Assemblyman Eddie Gibbs of East Harlem has used his experience to help people reinvent themselves, including a high-flying 1990s rapper who went to prison for murder.

As research develops on the potential therapeutic impacts of psilocybin mushrooms, we are likely to see more doctors fight to change the law.

Do dying people have a 'right to try' magic mushrooms? 9th Circuit weighs case In a case that could shape the future of psychedelic medicine, a palliative care physician is challenging a DEA decision that bars him from prescribing psilocybin to late-stage cancer patients.

Believe it or not, poorly conducted or presented science is one of the biggest contributors.

What Are the Leading Causes of Wrongful Criminal Convictions in Texas? Chris Perri Law Has Answers. — Austin Criminal Defense Attorney - Chris Perri Law If you or a loved one are wrongfully convicted due to these reasons, don’t lose hope. An experienced post-conviction criminal defense appellate lawyer can help. With over 15 years of experience practicing federal and Texas law, Austin attorney Chris Perri has successfully reversed convictions thro...

This is a great step for Travis County. Studies show that having a defense attorney from the get-go, including at bail bond hearings, can improve case outcomes, and thus, people’s futures.

Travis County Tests Program to Provide Legal Defense at Bail Hearings Stakeholders agree growing Counsel at First Appearance critical

As Mother’s Day nears, our hearts are with those navigating the complexity of family and incarceration.

“Incarceration just sort of broke me down. I just had to rebuild myself,” said Avious Griffin about his wrongful imprisonment.

Talk about strength.

Inspired By ‘Hurricane’ Carter, Avious Griffin Puts Wrongful Conviction Behind And Raise World Title Hopes Avious Griffin sat in a jail cell watching a fourteen-inch TV screen he paid $280 for - and saw his life in a movie.

If you plan to participate in a protest, be sure to know your legal rights beforehand.

Know Your Rights | Protesters’ Rights | ACLU The First Amendment protects your right to assemble and express your views through protest. However, police and other government officials are allowed to place certain narrow restrictions on the exercise of speech rights. Make sure you’re prepared by brushing up on your rights before heading out i...

“I felt like a nobody,” Collier said. “People around me are getting bonded out for more bond, and I’m like, I’m poor, so I’m going to lose all of this. I’m important, too. I should be able to get out, too.”

How Texas’ cash bail system and under-resourced jails can wreak havoc on women who are poor In Texas, money can make a difference in how much time people who are legally presumed innocent sit behind bars awaiting the outcome of criminal cases.

Results show that this sort of approach avoided criminal arrests in 95% of responses.

Why These Cities Are Not Sending Police to Some 911 Calls A new generation of first responders is handling mental health calls and other emergencies in cities across the U.S.

The cause of Ansari’s wrongful conviction?

A police detective choosing to withhold key evidence.

Detroit man awarded $10 million after wrongful conviction Alexandre Ansari, was wrongfully serving a life sentence over claims he shot and killed a 15-year-old girl and wounded two others in Detroit, according to the lawsuit.

We’re so grateful for these kind words from a former client. This is why we do what we do!

Happy #420 Day!

Read below to learn where exactly Austin stands when it comes to decriminalizing g***a.

Austin’s Ma*****na Policies: Explained It’s no secret that America’s attitude toward cannabis is evolving to become more tolerant. In 2020, the Austin City Council passed a resolution to stop arresting or ticketing people for possessing small amounts of ma*****na. Since then, low-level mariju

In our latest blog article, we explain what a writ of habeas corpus is and our unique writ process at Chris Perri Law. If you know someone who's been wrongfully convicted, this could help.

The Writ of Habeas Corpus Process: What to Expect at Chris Perri Law — Austin Criminal Defense Attorney - Chris Perri Law If you’ve landed on this page, chances are that you know all too well that the criminal justice system is not always fair. People receive unjust legal outcomes too often, which is why Chris Perri Law has made trying to overturn wrongful criminal convictions across Texas our greatest mission. In mo...

Due to police misconduct, these two brothers spent decades in prison for a crime they never committed. Finally, they are free.

Judge grants certificates of innocence for Chicago brothers exonerated in 1994 murder case A judge granted two brothers their certificates of innocence after they were exonerated in a 1994 murder.

In theory, most agree that self-defense is justified, however it is much trickier to determine when the rule applies in practice.

Self-Defense in Texas: What You Need To Know | Chris Perri Law — Austin Criminal Defense Attorney - Chris Perri Law If you’ve been charged with a crime in Texas, such as an assault with a deadly weapon or family violence, and you believe you acted in self-defense, you may be wondering, how do I prove it? With over 15 years of experience helping clients successfully prove self-defense, Austin criminal defense at...

While we're relieved that Crystal Mason's convicted has **finally** been overturned, she should've never been charged in the first place.

Texas appeals court overturns voter fraud conviction for woman on probation A Texas appeals court has overturned a woman's voter fraud conviction and five-year sentence for casting an illegal provisional ballot.

“One U.S. study found that women are twice as likely as men to be convicted of a crime after claiming self-defense.”

Opinion | Abused women are resorting to violence to survive. They aren’t criminals. Sometimes, the vulnerable must use violence to survive. When they do, U.S. law should not treat them as criminals.

Because police hid exonerating evidence, Ronald Johnson wrongfully spent over thirty years in prison. Thankfully, he is now free.

Philadelphia Man Is Freed After 34 Years in Prison Police had hidden evidence showing that Ronald Johnson did not participate in the crime he was convicted of, his lawyer said.

Texas Law defines Public Intoxication as when “the person appears in a public place while intoxicated to the degree that the person may endanger the person or another.”

Is It Illegal to Be Drunk in Public in Austin? Chris Perri Law Has Answers on Public Intoxication. — Austin Criminal Defense Attorney - Chris Perri Law Lots of people get publicly intoxicated, and as long as you aren’t driving or acting in a way that’s unsafe, it’s legal. However, it’s up to police officers to decide what drunk behavior is dangerous. Chris Perri, one of the best criminal defense lawyers in Travis County, offers tips to avoi...

Perhaps the Kansas Attorney General needs to be reminded that the 6th Amendment guarantees everyone the right to competent legal counsel.

Kansas AG wants to alter wrongful conviction law to deny claims based solely on ineffective counsel • Kansas Reflector Attorney General Kris Kobach would like to alter Kansas' wrongful conviction law to forbid claims of exonerees based on inadequate assistance of counsel.

Last week’s election affirmed that Austinites support progressive criminal justice policies.

“Playbook of Fear” Fails to Sway Voters in Austin and Houston DA Races José Garza, Travis County’s reform-minded DA, prevailed on Tuesday. In Harris County, Democratic voters ousted DA Kim Ogg, who battled with her party in recent years.

Traveling over spring break? Read this first.

Crossing State Lines with W**d Crossing State Lines with W**d—Know the Risk State laws regulating cannabis are rapidly transforming across the United States. In fact, earlier this year, New Mexico passed a law allowing recreational w**d to be bought and sold in dispensaries. In light