Author: S.M.U. Law Journal, Annual Survey of Texas Law; 1991, 1993,. Contact Us Now - Call 346-443-4300 - Clouthier Law is dedicated to providing our clients with legal services in Crime and Criminal cases.You can make a motion for ineffective assistance of counsel during your trial if you feel that your lawyer is not performing their duties. From a legal standpoint, why are people interested in bad lawyering or ineffective assistance? All of this evidence can overcome a claim that a plea was involuntary due to ineffective assistance of counsel. You can only claim ineffective assistance of counsel after a conviction. 7 The Cannon court suggested that the trial court can admonish the defendant and ask if he is waiving his right to effective counsel. Ineffective Assistance at Guilty Pleas The Court of Criminal Appeals has long entertained claims of ineffective assistance of counsel in guilty plea cases. You can file a petition asking the appellate division to certify the case for transfer to the Court of Appeal. A couple of recent opinions from Houston's 14th Court of Appeals dealt with the issue on ineffective assistance of counsel.