Whether you know someone involved in a criminal case, have experienced one firsthand, or enjoy your nightly legal dramas, you’re probably familiar with the concept of plea bargains. These occur when the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for something the prosecution offers, such as reduced or dropped charges or a lighter sentence. Over 90% of criminal cases in Texas are resolved through plea bargains. There are essentially three different types of plea bargains in Texas. Charge bargaining happens when the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser offense than their original charge, such as accepting the consequences of a reckless driving conviction when initially charged with DWI. Sentence bargaining gives the defendant a lighter sentence, so someone facing a five-year sentence could get it reduced to two years if they agree to the plea bargain. The last type is count bargaining, when the defendant pleads guilty to one or two charges while the rest get dismissed. Plea bargains follow a specific structure. In most cases, the prosecution will initiate the negotiations by making an offer based on the severity of the crime, the strength of evidence, and more. The criminal defense attorney will review the offer and potentially negotiate for a better deal. The defendant has to determine if they will accept or reject the deal. If they accept, a judge still needs to review and approve the plea bargain. If accepted, they will push the case directly to the sentencing stage. By this point, it is borderline impossible to revoke the deal. If you receive a plea bargain, the first and most important question is: “Should I accept this?” It depends on your unique circumstances and what they are offering you. Accepting a plea bargain has many advantages, such as reduced charges and sentencing, lower legal costs, less public scrutiny, and more predictable outcomes. However, there are some drawbacks. When you plead guilty, that likely means the conviction will stay on your record, potentially affecting your employment, housing, and other areas of life. There are no take-backs when accepting a plea bargain, so you must weigh the pros and cons before making an informed decision that will impact your future. Should You Accept a Plea Bargain? Deal or No Deal
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Barbecue Chicken French Bread Pizza Inspired by FromValeriesKitchen.com
Ingredients • 2 tbsp vegetable oil • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces • 1 tsp Lawry’s Seasoned Salt • Fresh ground pepper, to taste • 1/4 cup plus 3 tbsp
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce • 1 loaf French bread • 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion • 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, shredded • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese • 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
barbecue sauce, divided
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 425 F. Line baking sheet with foil. 2. In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Sauté chicken with seasoned salt and pepper. 3. Reduce heat to medium and add 3 tbsp barbecue sauce. Simmer for 3–4 minutes, remove skillet from heat, and set aside. 4. In a small bowl, combine remaining barbecue sauce and marinara sauce. 5. Cut French bread in half and place on prepared baking sheet. Coat with the sauce mixture, top with chicken and red onions, then add shredded cheeses. 6. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until cheese is melted. 7. Remove from oven and top with chopped cilantro. Allow to sit for about 5 minutes before serving!
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