THE 7 STEPS OF PRETRIAL Preparing Yourself for What May Come
Pre-filing: A pre-filing occurs between the bond hearing and arraignment. In this stage, a dependable criminal defense attorney will reach out to the assistant state attorney to discover what direction your case will take. By doing this, your attorney can find the best approach to fight for the best outcome during your arraignment. Arraignment: As the first official hearing in court after your arrest, the judge formally addresses the charges filed against you and asks you for your plea. Information or Indictment: When filed with an information or indictment, this is usually when the state attorney’s office decides to charge you with a crime officially.
Facing the criminal justice system is no joke. No matter how “minor” the charges against you seem, prepare yourself for the fight of your life. Knowing the different steps of your pretrial can help you formulate your approach to the case and understand what to expect. Arrest: This is the threshold of the criminal justice system. If a police officer feels that they have probable cause, they will arrest you. However, they can give you a PTA (promise to appear) instead, if you’re accused of a misdemeanor. First Appearance or Bond Hearing: Sometimes, depending on what you’re arrested for, you’ll have no choice but to wait to see a judge, who will see you within 24 hours of your arrest. The charge and crime will determine when you’re allowed to leave — some require mandatory holds, while others can be paid through a standard bond.
be presented during your trial. This includes the arrest form, supplemental reports, offense incident reports, and any other evidence before the prosecutor presents it in the trial. Pretrial Motions: Once the evidence is reviewed, the court decides if it can or can’t be used during the trial. The case can be moved to dismissal if the prosecutor cannot build a proper case from the evidence.
Discovery: During this step, you and the prosecutor are allowed to view the evidence and facts that will
Laugh Out Loud
Spicy, Creamy Sweet Potatoes Sweet potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple, but they’re often the blandest thing on the table. Luckily that’s not the case with this recipe, which features Thai spices and coconut milk. Ingredients
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1/2 cup dark brown sugar
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5 pounds sweet potatoes
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4 tablespoons unsalted butter
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1 cup canned coconut milk
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1 tablespoon kosher salt
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1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste
Instructions
4. 30 minutes before serving, heat oven to 425 F. Spread potatoes in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes. 5. Uncover potatoes and dot with remaining butter and sugar. Broil until brown, crusty, and delicious. Serve hot.
1. Heat oven to 375 F. On a large sheet pan, bake potatoes until very soft, approximately 75 minutes. 2. Let potatoes cool until they are safe to handle, then peel and mash. 3. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine coconut milk and curry paste. Once mixed, add the mixture, salt, half the sugar, and half the butter to potatoes.
Inspired by The New York Times
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