About Chris Perri
With over two decades of experience practicing trial, appellate, and post-conviction criminal law throughout Texas, Chris Perri has dedicated his life to fighting for justice and freedom.
The son of a doctor and nurse, he learned early on the value of helping others—a value he now tries to instill in his own children. Chris ultimately chose to become a criminal defense attorney so that he could help people in their times of trouble and need. Just as his parents cared for their patients, Chris strives to be a compassionate, knowledgeable, hardworking, and effective advocate for his clients, regardless of the charges they may face. He feels strongly that it is an honor to be entrusted as someone’s legal advocate, as well as a profound responsibility. With each case, a person’s freedom is on the line.
Chris Perri says, “My goal is to provide personalized service of the highest caliber, where I give each client’s case my fullest attention. That’s the only way to reach the best possible outcome.”
Chris Perri believes criminal defense is sacred work that demands passion, skill, and a deep commitment to justice.
Over the course of his career, Chris Perri has handled a broad range of criminal cases—from serious felony trials to complex post-conviction matters—giving him a comprehensive understanding of how to approach a case at any point in the legal process. Unlike many criminal defense lawyers in Texas, he is licensed to practice in both the Texas state and federal courts.
His practice places a strong emphasis on post-conviction relief and appellate advocacy, where he helps clients across Texas challenge wrongful or legally flawed convictions through appeals, writs of habeas corpus, ineffective assistance of counsel claims, plea deal reversals, and other forms of post-conviction relief.
In the greater Austin, Texas area, Chris Perri also represents people facing new arrest charges, defendants in need of trial litigation, and those seeking help with expunctions and record sealing.
Chris Perri has helped clients win trials and appeals, overturn wrongful convictions, get charges dismissed or reduced, and expunge criminal records.
In 2005, Chris Perri earned his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. He also holds a master’s degree in economics, which has helped sharpen his analytical skills.
In addition to running his practice, Chris aims to be a leader in the legal community. For many years, he served as a founding and supervising attorney for UT Law’s pro bono Texas Expunction Project. In 2016, UT’s Texas Law Fellowships program awarded Chris the Excellence in Public Interest Award based on his pro bono work as a private-practicing attorney.
Chris is a member of several professional organizations, including the Austin Bar Association, Texas NORML, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, where he served on the board of directors for five years. He is also a graduate of Leadership Austin’s Emerge program and has been selected by Texas Super Lawyers for their prestigious list of top attorneys.
Further, Chris is a sought-after legal thinker, often leading educational seminars for fellow defense lawyers and college students, as well as writing defense-related advocacy articles and providing legal commentary to local news outlets. You can find some of his publications and recognitions listed below.
Contact Chris Perri Law for a Free Consultation
If you or someone you love is in legal trouble, it can be difficult to know where to turn.
At Chris Perri Law, we understand that a person caught in the legal system is more than a criminal charge. They are part of a community, a family member, and, above all, a human being with constitutional rights that must be protected.
With our firm by your side, you can rest assured that you will receive quality representation from an award-winning attorney who sees you as more than your criminal charge or wrongful conviction. At his core, Chris Perri understands that the truth is rarely straightforward, that every human deserves a committed advocate, and that systemic power must be kept in check.
Whether seeking representation for a new arrest in Austin or a wrongful conviction anywhere in Texas, Chris Perri Law is available to help.
To schedule a consultation, call Chris Perri Law at (512) 269-0260 or use the contact form on this page.
Select Awards, Publications, and Media
Awards and Recognitions
Selected to the premiere Texas SuperLawyers List for 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025
Named one of Austin’s Top Attorneys by Austin Monthly Magazine for 2021, 2022, and 2023
Recognized by Expertise.com as one of the 2024 Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Both Austin and Rock Rock
Selected to the exclusive and research-driven 2021 Super Lawyers Texas Rising Stars List
Recognized as one of the top 100 trial lawyers in the region by the National Trial Lawyers Association
Received the Avvo 2020 Clients’ Choice Award
Awarded with the 2016 Excellence in Public Interest Award, put forth by the University of Texas Law Fellowships Program
Publications
“Everything You Need to Know About Legal Cannabis in Texas.”Austin Monthly 6 Nov. 2023
“Three Tips to Avoid a Drinking or Boating While Intoxicated Charge This Summer.” Austin Monthly 24 July 2023
“Five Tips to Avoid a DWI This Holiday.”Do512 22 Dec. 2022
“What’s the Deal with Delta-9 THC in Austin?”Do512 27 Oct. 2022
“Crossing State Lines with Weed—Know the Risk.” Do512 23 Sept. 2022
“Abortion in Texas: Where the Law Stands Now.”Do512 29 July 2022
“Boating While Intoxicated: What You Need to Know.”Do512. 1 July 2022
“Deterioration of Due Process for the Wrongfully Convicted.”Jurist News. 24 June 2022
“Criminal Records and Dating Apps: What You Need to Know.”Do512. 2 June 2022
“What Are My Options If Arrested for Drug Possession in Austin?”Do512. 14 April 2022
“Ten Tips on How to Avoid a Criminal Arrest This Holiday Season.”Do512. 7 Dec. 2021
“APD’s No Refusal Initiative: What You Need to Know.”Do512. 8 Oct. 2021
“Pleading the 5th: Everything to Know About Your Rights and the 5th Amendment in Austin.”Do512. 10 Sept. 2021
“Can You Be Arrested for Alcohol and Drugs While Camping and Hiking Near Austin?”Do512. 9 Aug. 2021
“A Form of THC Is Now Legal—Wait, What?”Do512. 11 June 2021
“How to Handle a Criminal Record When Applying for Jobs.”Do512. 9 April. 2021
“Magic Mushrooms and The Law: What You Need to Know.”Do512. 24 Feb. 2021
“The Case of Rosa Jimenez and the Uphill Battle of Freeing the Wrongfully Convicted.” Jurist News. 4 Feb. 2021
“Three Ways The Progressive New D.A. Could Transform Austin.”Do512. 22 Jan. 2021
“How to Help a Friend Facing DWI Charges in Travis County.”Do512. 15 Dec. 2020
“What the “Green Wave” Might Mean for Texas.”Do512. 20 Nov. 2020
“Know Your Voting Rights.”Do512. 14 Oct. 2020
“A Word Every Longhorn Should Know: Expunction.”The Daily Texan. 11 Oct. 2020
“We Should Reimagine the Legal Process to Overturn Faulty Convictions.”Austin American-Statesman, 31 July 2020
“Austin’s Marijuana Laws: Explained.”Do512, 29 July 2020
“Know Your Rights When Interacting with the Cops.”Do512, 6 June 2020
“The Trial of Joe Biden in the Court of Public Opinion.”Jurist News. 14 May 2020
“Because of COVID-19, It’s Less Safe Behind Bars. Here’s How Federal Prisoners Can Petition to Get Their Sentences Reduced.”Austin Chronicle, 24 April 2020
“How Making a Murderer Exposes America's Flawed Jury System.” Austin American-Statesman. 4 Sept. 2016
“Expunction for DWI Arrest? Texas Law: Obtaining an Expunction.”Austin Chronicle: The Common Law. 3 Oct. 2014
“Does An Old Arrest Show Up on a Criminal Background Check? What's Best to Do After a Case Gets Dismissed”Austin Chronicle: The Common Law. 5 Sept. 2014
Media Appearances
Interview regarding Christopher Taylor’s conviction reversal. KVUE. 12 Jan 2026.
Interview regarding those wrongfully convicted of the Austin yogurt shop murders. KXAN. 1 Oct 2025
Interview regarding Billy Faircloth and overturning Texas convictions.CBS News Austin. 29 Sept 2022
“Top Lawyers: Chris Perri of Chris Perri Law On The 5 Things You Need To Become A Top Lawyer In Your Specific Field of Law” interview. Authority Magazine. Oct. 2021
Visiting co-host of The Budding Report
“Wild Card.”Orange Tree Podcast, The Drag Audio Production House at The University of Texas at Austin, 4 Aug. 2020
“Innocent Until Proven Guilty.”The Foundation Podcast, Texas Public Policy Foundation, 28 Aug. 2018
Interview regarding DNA testing errors in Austin.KXAN. 14 Oct. 2015
