Sarah Durham Criminal Defense and Criminal Appeal Attorney Abilene TX

Attorney Sarah Durham works tirelessly to achieve the greatest possible results for each of our clients and their families.

Included here is a selection of a few of her successful results, settlements, and verdicts. View some of our 11.07 Writ of Habeas Corpus results here.

Every case and client is unique and depends upon the individual facts and circumstances of each case. Clients may or may not obtain the same or similar results in each case.

Appeal: PDR Granted, Several Convictions Vacated

RESULTS: PDR Granted, Several Convictions Vacated In January 2017, our client faced serious charges of Sexual Assault and Indecency by Contact in Taylor County, TX. By June 2018, the complexity of the case increased when the State added two more counts of Sexual Assault to the indictment We did not represent this client in his…

Successful Suppression of Evidence Leads to Dismissal in Juvenile Criminal Case

RESULTS: Juvenile Sexual Assault – Case Dismissed Earlier this year, the family of a juvenile client sought our assistance following his arrest at school on allegations of Sexual Assault. After being transported to the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, he was questioned without his guardians present and subsequently detained. The State offered probation, but this came…

11.07 Writ Successful – Actual Innocence

RESULTS: 11.07 Writ Successful – Actual Innocence & Involuntary Plea – A Victory for Justice On April 19, 2023, the Court of Criminal Appeals granted our client’s 11.07 writ of habeas corpus application on the grounds of actual innocence and an involuntary plea. In 2017, our client faced conviction for Failure to Register as a…

Petition for Discretionary Review Granted

RESULTS: Journey from Conviction Challenge to Potential Relief A client approached us with the intention of challenging his conviction and 10-year sentence. However, he was unsure of how to proceed. After several discussions and a preliminary review of his records, we discovered procedural errors that denied him the right to file a petition for discretionary…

Innocent in 11.072 Writ State Felony Case

RESULTS: Theft of Aluminum Conviction Overturned; Client Found Innocent In 2014, our client faced a serious legal challenge when he was convicted of Theft of Material, specifically aluminum, a felony offense in Texas. This conviction resulted in a sentence of two years in state jail and a three-year probation period. However, upon closer examination of…

Non Convicted Probation – Unlawful Possession of A Firearm Case

RESULTS: Non-Convicted Probation – First Degree Felony Unlawful Possession Reduced A non-violent client in a rural county faced dire consequences after being arrested for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by Felon. Despite a history of drug-related offenses, our client had no record of violence or firearm charges. Nonetheless, the State automatically pushed for prison time…

Pre-Trial Diversion Expunctions

RESULTS: Pre-trial diversion expunctions At Blizzard and Zimmerman Attorneys, we are committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients. We successfully secured multiple pre-trial diversion expunctions for several clients facing serious charges. Case Details Our team represented individuals charged with offenses such as Class B DWI and Class A Theft. Understanding the potential…

Early Termination of Community Supervision

RESULTS: Early Termination of Community Supervision Our client was facing a challenging 9-year Community Supervision sentence due to a first-degree felony charge of Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity. The weight of such a sentence can heavily impact one’s life, binding them to legal obligations and restricting their ability to move forward. Outcome Through diligent legal…

Criminal Appeal – Return to Probation

RESULTS: Criminal Appeal – Return to Probation At Blizzard and Zimmerman Attorneys, we stand firmly by our clients, ensuring they receive the justice they deserve. Recently, our criminal appeal attorneys, Jacob Blizzard and Sarah Durham, successfully handled a case where a client was returned to probation after a year-long wait for the Texas Court of…

Successful Assault Family Violence Expunction

RESULTS: Successful Expunction of Assault Family Violence Charge Our client faced significant legal challenges after being arrested for Assault Family Violence, categorized as a Class C Misdemeanor. Understanding the potential impact on our client’s personal and professional life, we embarked on a strategic defense to clear their record. Strategic Defense Approach The primary focus of…

11.07 Writ of Habeas Corpus- Freed from Prison

RESULTS: Prison Freedom due to Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Our client faced a challenging legal battle after pleading guilty to Possession of Marijuana in a Drug-Free Zone, a 3rd Degree Felony. This plea came about due to poor legal guidance and ineffective assistance of counsel, leading him to believe that a plea deal was his…

Petition for Expunction Following Successful Pre-Trial Diversion:

RESULTS: Felony Charge Rejected – Expunction Our client initially faced a serious charge — Sexual Performance by a Child, a second-degree felony. However, due to the diligent work of our legal team, the District Attorney rejected the felony charge. The case was then transferred to misdemeanor court, where the charge was downgraded to Sale, Distribution,…

Expungement Following Successful Pre-Trial Diversion DWI

RESULTS: DWI Expungement At Blizzard and Zimmerman Attorneys, we take pride in delivering justice for our clients, and this recent DWI success story involving explungement highlights our commitment to defending those wrongfully accused. Case Overview Our client faced wrongful accusations of a non-violent crime, a situation that threatened to alter their life drastically. Understanding the…

11.07 Writ of Habeas Corpus for Out of Time Appeal Granted

RESULTS: Successful 11.07 Writ – Out of Time Appeal – New Trial – Organized Criminal Activity Our client was initially convicted of engaging in organized criminal activity and sentenced to 54 years in prison. Unfortunately, the client’s trial attorney failed to file a notice of appeal, which led us to take post-conviction action on their…

Petition for Expunction

RESULTS: DWI Expungement Our client faced a daunting challenge when wrongfully accused of a non-violent crime with a DWI (Driving while intoxicated). However, through the dedication and expertise of our defense team, we successfully navigated a complex legal landscape to secure justice and restore the client’s reputation. Strategic Defense Our approach began with a meticulous…

Petition for Early Termination of Community Supervision

RESULTS: Drug Charges: Early Termination – Supervision The client was arrested for Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Methamphetamine and was placed on 8 years deferred adjudication, to run concurrently. Understanding the significance of this situation, our dedicated defense team took action to ensure the best possible outcome. Defense Strategy An integral part of our…

Petition for Expunction Following Successful Pre-Trial Diversion

RESULTS: Expunction of Two Arrests – Family Violence Our client faced significant legal challenges after being arrested on two serious charges related to family violence. These charges included a Class A misdemeanor for Assault Causing Bodily Injury Family Violence and a third-degree felony for Continuous Assault Family Violence, both of which carry severe repercussions if…

Petition for Non-Disclosure

RESULTS: Non-Disclosure on Theft Case Our client approached us with the hope of expunging an old theft case. Initially placed on community supervision, the client was only eligible for non-disclosure, not expunction, due to the terms of his supervision. Initial Concerns At first, the client expressed reluctance to proceed if expunction wasn’t an available option….

Felony Theft : Plea Deal Reached

RESULTS: Pro-Active Representation – Plea Deal, No Jail Time When our client found themselves arrested for a serious felony theft (second or third-degree felony) charge while already on probation, the stakes were high. Facing the possibility of severe penalties, it was crucial to act swiftly and strategically. Our Approach Understanding the gravity of the situation,…

Expungement of Prior Arrests and Offenses

RESULTS: Expungement and Non-Disclosures Our client approached us with the goal of clearing their record by expungement or alternatively, non-disclosing five past arrests and offenses. Case Assessment Upon comprehensive review, we found that one of the five cases was ineligible for both expungement and non-disclosure under current legal standards. Outcome Despite the challenge, we achieved…

Petition for Early Termination of Community Supervision Cocaine Possession

RESULTS: Cocaine Possession Dismissal and Discharge Our client was initially placed on 3 years of deferred adjudication after being arrested for cocaine possession, which is classified as a state jail felony. Understanding the impact that such a charge can have on our client’s future, our legal team worked diligently to explore options for early termination…

Sexual Contact: Petition for Early Termination of Community Supervision

RESULTS: Early Termination Community Supervision – Improper Sexual Contact Our client was initially sentenced to 5 years of deferred adjudication community supervision following a guilty plea for offenses related to Improper Sexual Contact with a Person in Custody and Hindering Apprehension. Outcome: 2 Tries then Success Despite an initial setback with our first petition, we…