Blog Posts in December, 2010

Pawtucket Domestic Assault

As reported by Amanda Milkovits in the December 30, 2010 edition of the Providence Journal, a Pawtucket man has been charged with domestic simple assault , domestic disorderly conduct and resisting arrest . His most serious charge is felony domestic assault, which is based on the allegations that he held a knife to his wife's throat and threatened to kill her. The man has a history of domestic ...

Rhode Island DMV Sued Over Fatal Charlestown Crash

As reported by Tracy Breton in the December 30, 2010 edition of the Providence Journal, the Foote Family is suing the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. Colin Foote was killed in May of 2010 in a car accident caused by Laura Reale. Earlier this month Ms. Reale pled guilty to driving to endanger-death resulting and received eight (8) years in prison. In addition to suing the DMV over the ...

Tiverton Reckless Driving

As reported by Bryan Rourke in the December 21, 2010 edition of the Providence Journal, a Tiverton man is facing multiple charges from the Bristol Police. He is accused of shoplifting from a local pharmacy. The pharmacy then called the Bristol Police to report the theft. The man had already fled the scene and police pursued him. The man led police on a high speed chase. The man refused to pull his ...

Providence Child Pornography Indictments

As reported in the December 21, 2010 edition of the Providence Journal, a Federal Grand Jury has issued indictments for receiving and possessing child pornography and distribution of child pornography. Four men were indicated, two (2) from Pawtucket, one (1) from Barrington and the other from Central Falls. The indictments stem from an undercover investigation involving the Rhode Island State ...

Newport DUI Indictment

As reported by Richard Dujardin in the December 20, 2010 edition of the Providence Journal, a Salve Regina student has been indicted by the Newport County Grand Jury on six (6) criminal charges. The student was the driver of an SUV which crashed into the wall of the famed Breakers mansion in September of 2010. He and three (3) other passengers were seriously injured and required medical attention. ...

Driving to Endanger - Death Resulting Conviction

As reported by Tracy Breton in the December 18, 2010, Laura Reale was sentenced to ten (10) years at the ACI, eight (8) years to serve in connection with Colin Foote's death. The accident which killed Colin Foote occurred in March of 2010. Reale had pled to the charge of driving to endanger-death resulting and she was sentenced on December 17, 2010 in Superior Court. In addition to the jail time, ...

State Police Holiday Crackdown on Drunk Driving

As reported by Amanda Milkovits in the December 16, 2010 edition of the Providence Journal, the Rhode Island State Police will be increasing the number of police patrols on the highways. The increased presence will begin this weekend and continue every weekend through New Year's Day. The extra patrols are funded by a federal grant. The State Police are specifically trying to target drunk drivers , ...

Multiple Driving Offenses

As reported by Tom Mooney in the December 16, 2010 edition of the Providence Journal, a Warwick man has the dubious distinction of having his 18 th arrest for driving without a license. Glocester Police arrested him and charged him with driving a stolen vehicle and driving on a suspended license. He is currently on probation for other charges and could be facing jail time as a result. In addition ...

Two DUI Arrests, But Only One Car

In Nebraska, local police encountered an unusual incident; an officer arrested two (2) people for drunk driving in the same car. A police officer observed a vehicle commit traffic violations and he tried to stop the vehicle. The driver then switched places with the passenger. When the vehicle was finally stopped, both drivers failed the chemical test and were arrested for driving under the ...

Federal Government & Drunk Driving

The U.S. Department of Transportation is urging states to adopt a "No Refusal Policy" with regards to driving under the influence ("DUI") . In most states, when drivers are arrested for DUI, the police request they submit to a Breathalyzer test to determine the level of alcohol in their system. The drivers have the right to refuse the test and if they do, no test is given. Instead, the drivers are ...

Providence Unlawful Discharge of Firearm

As reported in the December 13, 2010 edition of the Providence Journal, a member of the Rhode Island General Assembly has been charged with illegally discharging a firearm . According to police, the man was outside of a Providence nightclub, when he fired the gun. Police officers in Providence heard the gunshot and went to investigate. Pursuant to Rhode Island General Law, 11-47-50, the man could ...

Charlestown DUI Conviction

As reported by Amanda Milkovits in the December 10, 2010 edition of the Providence Journal, Colin Foote's father has pled to driving while under the influence ("DUI") . Mr. Foote has been an outspoken proponent of harsher driving laws following the death of his son. His son, Colin, was killed when another driver ran a red light. That motorist, who had a history of traffic violations, including ...

Portsmouth Alcohol Offense Charges Dismissed

In October of 2010, our Client was charged by the Portsmouth Police Department with obstruction of a police officer in the execution of duty in violation of R.I.G.L. 11-32-1. The obstruction charge occurred because our Client allegedly provided police with a fake ID. The penalties for obstruction include: Every person who shall obstruct any officer, civil, military, or otherwise, including any ...

North Kingstown DUI Charge Amended to Reckless Driving

In August of 2010, our Client was charged by the North Kingstown Police Department with driving under the influence ("DUI") in violation of R.I.G.L. 31-27-2. DUI is defined as whoever drives or otherwise operates any vehicle in the state while under the influence of any intoxicating liquor, drugs, toluene, or any controlled substance as defined in chapter 28 of title 21, or any combination of ...

Narragansett Fake ID Alcohol Charge Dismissed

In October of 2010, our Client was charge by the Narragansett Police Department with misrepresentation of age to obtain alcoholic beverages (use of a fake ID) in violation of R.I.G.L. 3-8-6. Misrepresentation of age is defined as: (1) A person who has not reached his or her twenty-first (21st) birthday to enter any premises licensed for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages for the purpose of ...

Charlestown Man Arrested for DUI

As reported by Richard Dujardin in the December 4, 2010 edition of the Providence Journal, a Charlestown man was arrested for driving under the influence ("DUI") . The man is also facing three (3) additional charges of reckless driving, disorderly conduct and refusal to submit to a chemical test . The charges stem from a bizarre incident starting on the roadway and ending at the Charlestown Police ...

Bristol Transportation of Alcohol by Minor Charge Dismissed

In October of 2010, our Client was charged by the Bristol Police Department with transportation of alcohol by a minor in violation of R.I.G.L. 3-8-9. Transportation of alcohol by a minor is defined as, "any person who has not reached his or her twenty-first (21st) birthday and who operates a motor vehicle upon the public highways, except when accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or another ...