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.

11.07 Writ Successful – Actual Innocence

  RESULTS: 11.07 Writ Successful On April 19, 2023, the Court of Criminal Appeals granted our client’s 11.07 writ of habeas corpus application on the basis of actual innocence and involuntary plea. In 2017, our client was convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, a third-degree felony, and sentenced to 15 years in…

Petition for Discretionary Review Granted

RESULTS: PDR Granted My client came to me last year knowing that he wanted to challenge his conviction and 10-year sentence, but not really knowing where to start. Following a few conversations with him, and after a preliminary review of his record, I learned that, because of a couple of procedural snafus, he was not…

Innocent in 11.072 Writ State Felony Case

  RESULTS: Innocent – State Felony Case 11.072 Writ   In 2014, our client was convicted of Theft of Material, specifically aluminum – which is a Texas state jail felony offense. He was ordered to two years in state jail, and probated for three years. We filed an 11.072 writ of habeas corpus application on…

Unlawful Possession of A Firearm Case Reduced

RESULTS: First Degree Felony Drug Intent – Case Reduced A non-violent client in a rural county was arrested for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by Felon because of a past-drug-related offense. He was facing prison time because of his history, which did NOT include any violence or firearms charges. The State automatically offered prison. That…

Pre-Trial Diversion Expunctions

RESULTS: Pre-trial diversion expunctions: Multiple pre-trial diversion expunctions were achieved this month for clients charged with offenses including Class B DWI and Class A Theft. -March 2022 Attorney Sarah Durham’s practice focuses on appellate advocacy. She is passionate about the research and writing intrinsic to appellate and post-conviction writ work. She frequently uses her skills,…

Early Termination of Community Supervision

RESULTS: Early Termination of Community Supervision The client was serving a 9-year Community Supervision sentence for the offense of Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, a first-degree felony. We filed a motion for and obtained early termination of the client’s community supervision. The client received a discharge of the supervision and dismissal of the indictment. -March…

Criminal Appeal

RESULTS: Eliminating Burdens Criminal Appeal Attorneys Jacob Blizzard and Sarah Durham handled a criminal appeal for a client and this client was returned to probation after a year of waiting for the Texas Court of Appeals’ decision. Although the Court of Appeals upheld the trial court’s initial decision for probation, our representation did NOT stop…

Pre-trial Diversion Expunctions

RESULTS: Pre-trial diversion expunctions Multiple pre-trial diversion expunctions achieved for clients here in the state of Texas. They had been charged with offenses including Class B DWI and Class A Theft.   Attorney Sarah Durham’s practice focuses on appellate advocacy. She is passionate about the research and writing intrinsic to appellate and post-conviction writ work….

Early Termination of Community Supervision

RESULTS: Early Termination of Community Supervision Client was serving a 9-year Community Supervision sentence for the offense of Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, a first-degree felony. We filed a motion for and obtained early termination of client’s community supervision. Client received a discharge of the supervision and dismissal of the indictment. Attorney Sarah Durham’s practice…

Assault Family Violence Expunction

RESULTS: Client was arrested for Assault Family Violence, a Class C Misdemeanor. Following a hearing, we successfully petitioned for expunction of the offense pursuant to the expired statute of limitations and the Criminal Code’s exception allowing for Class C Misdemeanor expunctions. Final case result: The charge was successfully expunged from the client’s record. Attorney Sarah Durham’s…

11.07 Writ of Habeas Corpus Client Talks About Being Freed from Prison

RESULTS: We recently represented a client who had pled guilty as part of a plea deal in Abilene, Texas to Possession of Marijuana in a Drug-Free Zone. It’s a 3rd Degree Felony. Little did he know at the time he pled, due to bad parole advice and ineffective assistance of counsel, he was actually facing…

Petition for Expunction Following Successful Pre-Trial Diversion:

RESULTS: Expunged Charges The client was originally arrested for Sexual Performance by a Child, a second-degree felony, which was rejected by the District Attorney and transferred to misdemeanor court. The client was placed on Pre-trial Diversion for Sale, Distribution, or Display of Harmful Material to a Minor, a Class A Misdemeanor. Final case result: Both…

Petition for Expunction Following Successful Pre-Trial Diversion

RESULTS: DWI Expungement The client was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated, a Class B Misdemeanor, and was placed on the Pre-Trial Diversion program. After successfully completing the program, the client hired us to petition for expunction. Final case result: Case was successfully expunged. Attorney Sarah Durham’s practice focuses on appellate advocacy. She is passionate about…

11.07 Writ of Habeas Corpus for Out of Time Appeal Granted

RESULTS: New Trial – Organized Criminal Activity Our client gets a new trial after he was convicted of engaging in organized criminal activity and sentenced to 54 years in prison. We filed an 11.07 application for a writ of habeas corpus seeking an out-of-time appeal because the client’s trial attorney failed to file a notice…

Petition for Expunction

RESULTS: DUI Expungement The client was arrested for Driving Under the Influence as a Minor, a Class C Misdemeanor, which was dismissed after deferred disposition. The client hired us to petition for an expunction. Final case result: Case was successfully expunged. Attorney Sarah Durham’s practice focuses on appellate advocacy. She is passionate about the research…

Petition for Early Termination of Community Supervision

RESULTS: 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. The client successfully completed more than half of the deferred adjudication and hired us to petition for early termination of the sentence. Final case result: The client…

Petition for Expunction Following Successful Pre-Trial Diversion

RESULTS: Two Arrests Expunged The client was arrested for Assault Causing Bodily Injury Family Violence, a class A misdemeanor, and Continuous Assault Family Violence, a third-degree felony. The client was placed on pre-trial diversion, and upon successful completion of pre-trial diversion, hired us to petition for expunction of those arrests. Final case result: Both arrests…

Petition for Non-Disclosure

  RESULTS: Non-Disclosure The client wanted to hire us to expunge an old theft case. However, because the client was placed on community supervision for that offense, he was only eligible for non-disclosure. At first, the client was unsure about proceeding if an expunction was not an option. However, after additional communication and a thorough…

Felony Theft : DA Deal Reached

RESULTS: Plea Deal, No Jail Time Client was arrested for second or third-degree felony Theft while on probation. Before the case was presented to the grand jury, we reached out to and communicated frequently with the District Attorney. We were able to obtain a deal for our client before he was indicted. Final case result:…

Expunge Prior Arrests and Offenses

RESULTS: Expungement Client hired us to expunge, or alternatively non-disclose five past arrests and offenses. We determined that one of the five was ineligible for either expunction or non-disclosure. Final case result: Successful non-disclosure of three of the offenses and expunction of the remaining arrest/offense. – May 2020 Attorney Sarah Durham’s practice focuses on appellate…

Petition for Early Termination of Community Supervision

RESULTS: Dismissal and Discharge Client was placed on 3 years deferred adjudication community supervision following an arrest for possession of cocaine, state jail felony. We successfully petitioned the court for early termination of community supervision after the client completed half of the community supervision term. Final case result: The client received a dismissal and discharge…

Petition for Early Termination of Community Supervision

RESULTS: Early Termination Client was placed on 5 years of deferred adjudication community supervision after pleading guilty to the offenses of Improper Sexual Contact with a Person in Custody and Hindering Apprehension. While our first petition was unsuccessful, we persevered and successfully petitioned the court for early termination. – December 2020 Attorney Sarah Durham’s practice…

Conviction Overturned by Post Conviction 11.07 Writ Application – Possession of Marijuana in Drug Free Zone (3rd Degree Felony)

RESULTS: Conviction Overturned Our client had pled guilty to Possession of Marijuana in a Drug-Free Zone for 5 years’ confinement. Due to ineffective assistance of counsel and bad parole advice, the client was not aware that his charge would require him to serve 5 years without parole. Attorneys Sarah Durham and Jacob Blizzard filed an…