The applicant need not personally appear. The appellate court will not review any incidental question that might have arisen on the hearing of the application before the trial court. The sole purpose of the appeal is to do substantial justice to the parties.
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(a) In an appeal from a habeas corpus proceeding challenging a conviction or an order placing the defendant on community supervision— but not challenging a particular condition of community supervision—the appellate court should use the same submission and hearing schedules that apply to direct appeals from criminal cases. On motion of any party, or on its own initiative, the appellate court may impose a more expedited timeline or submit the case without briefing, if necessary to do substantial justice to the parties.
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(b) An appeal in any other habeas corpus or bail proceeding, including a challenge to a particular condition of community supervision, shall be submitted and heard at the earliest practicable time.