Rivera v. State

HARDBERGER, Chief Justice.

INTRODUCTION

Juan Rivera was indicted by a Bexar County grand jury for the offense of murder. Rivera entered a plea of nolo contendere to a reduced charge of voluntary manslaughter and was found guilty of that offense. Punishment was assessed pursuant to a plea bargain at 18 years imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and a $1,000 fine. Permission to appeal was initially denied, but was ultimately granted. Rivera’s notice of appeal recites the fact that he was granted permission to appeal. Accordingly, this court has jurisdiction. See Tex. R.App. P.…