Texas Statutes
Chapter 44 - Appeal and Writ of Error
Article 44.251. Reformation of Sentence in Capital Case


(b) The court of criminal appeals shall reform a sentence of death to a sentence of confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life without parole if:
(1) the court finds reversible error that affects the punishment stage of the trial other than a finding of insufficient evidence under Subsection (a); and
(2) within 30 days after the date on which the opinion is handed down, the date the court disposes of a timely request for rehearing, or the date that the United States Supreme Court disposes of a timely filed petition for writ of certiorari, whichever date is later, the prosecuting attorney files a motion requesting that the sentence be reformed to confinement for life without parole.
(c) If the court of criminal appeals finds reversible error that affects the punishment stage of the trial only, as described by Subsection (b) of this article, and the prosecuting attorney does not file a motion for reformation of sentence in the period described by that subsection, the defendant shall receive a new sentencing trial in the manner required by Article 44.29(c) or (d), as applicable.
(d) The court of criminal appeals shall reform a sentence of death imposed under Section 12.42(c)(3), Penal Code, to a sentence of imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life without parole if the United States Supreme Court:
(1) finds that the imposition of the death penalty under Section 12.42(c)(3), Penal Code, violates the United States Constitution; and
(2) issues an order that is not inconsistent with this article.
Added by Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 2673, ch. 725, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 31, 1981. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 838, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1991. Subsec. (a) amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 781, Sec. 3, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 787 (S.B. 60), Sec. 10, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 593 (H.B. 8), Sec. 3.18, eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 87 (S.B. 1969), Sec. 25.036, eff. September 1, 2009.

Structure Texas Statutes

Texas Statutes

Code of Criminal Procedure

Title 1 - Code of Criminal Procedure

Chapter 44 - Appeal and Writ of Error

Article 44.01. Appeal by State

Article 44.02. Defendant May Appeal

Article 44.04. Bond Pending Appeal

Article 44.041. Conditions in Lieu of Bond

Article 44.07. Right of Appeal Not Abridged

Article 44.10. Sheriff to Report Escape

Article 44.12. Procedure as to Bail Pending Appeal

Article 44.15. Appellate Court May Allow New Bond

Article 44.16. Appeal Bond Given Within What Time

Article 44.17. Appeal to County Court, How Conducted

Article 44.18. Original Papers Sent Up

Article 44.181. Defect in Complaint

Article 44.19. Witnesses Not Again Summoned

Article 44.20. Rules Governing Appeal Bonds

Article 44.25. Cases Remanded

Article 44.251. Reformation of Sentence in Capital Case

Article 44.2511. Reformation of Sentence in Capital Case for Offense Committed Before September 1, 1991

Article 44.28. When Misdemeanor Is Affirmed

Article 44.281. Disposition of Fines and Costs When Misdemeanor Affirmed

Article 44.2811. Records Relating to Certain Fine-Only Misdemeanors Committed by a Child

Article 44.2812. Confidential Records Related to Fine-Only Misdemeanor

Article 44.29. Effect of Reversal

Article 44.33. Hearing in Appellate Court

Article 44.35. Bail Pending Habeas Corpus Appeal

Article 44.39. Appellant Detained by Other Than Officer

Article 44.41. Who Shall Take Bail Bond

Article 44.42. Appeal on Forfeitures

Article 44.43. Writ of Error

Article 44.44. Rules in Forfeitures

Article 44.45. Review by Court of Criminal Appeals

Article 44.46. Reversal of Conviction on the Basis of Service on Jury by a Disqualified Juror