Blog Posts in April, 2011

Law Day Lecture - Newport, RI

I am honored to have had the opportunity to present with Judge Houlihan and Attorney Kimberly Petta, the Rhode Island Law Day program at the Newport County Superior Court. The Rhode Island Law Day program focused on the serious issues of cyber-crimes, specifically cyberbullying , cyberharassment, sexting , and the dangers of posting personal information on the Internet. In attendance at the ...

North Providence Child Molestation Arrest

As reported by Tatiana Pina in the April 22, 2011 edition of the Providence Journal, a North Providence man has been charged with first degree child molestation , violation of a restraining order and failure to make an address change to his sex offender registration. The man was previously convicted of second degree child molestation . Pursuant to Rhode Island General Law 11-37-8.1, first degree ...

Bristol Alcohol Offense Charge Dismissed

In February of 2011, our Client was charged by the Bristol Police Department with furnishing or procuring alcohol for a minor in violation of R.I.G.L. 3-8-11.1 after responding to a loud house party. Furnishing alcohol for a minor is defined as: (a) As used in this section: (1) "furnish" means to provide with, supply, give or purchase; (2) "procure" means to get possession of, obtain by particular ...

Police Officers May Take Blood Samples in DUI Case

In a recent decision from Texas, a court ruled that it was permissible for a police officer to take a blood sample from a person arrested on suspicion of drunk driving . Previously, only trained medical personnel were allowed to take blood samples from suspected drunk drivers. Rhode Island, like Texas, allows for blood samples to be taken from suspected drunk drivers in specific instances. ...

Father & Son Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

As reported by Tatiana Pina in the April 19, 2011 edition of the Providence Journal, a Warwick man was arrested and charged for possession of child pornography . The pornography was found on the man's home computer. Earlier this year, the man's father was also arrested and charged with possession of child pornography . It is unclear if the two cases are related. Pursuant to Rhode Island General ...

RI Supreme Court Rules on DUI - Death Case

As reported by John Hill in the April 18, 2011 edition of the Providence Journal, an East Greenwich case involving drunk driving - death resulting, was heard by the Rhode Island Supreme Court. An underage driver was charged with two (2) counts of drunk driving- death resulting. She was sentenced to serve ten (10) years in prison. Last year, a Superior Court Judge allowed her to be transferred to a ...

Narragansett Social Host Violations

As reported by Donita Naylor in the April 15, 2011 edition of the Providence Journal, the Narragansett Police responded to more than twelve (12) parties over the weekend. The police were able to break up the parties through the use of the town's nuisance ordinance. The nuisance ordinance at issue resulted in a lawsuit and was declared constitutional by the federal courts earlier this year. One of ...

Rhode Island Sex Offender Arrest

As reported by Katie Mulvaney in the April 12, 2011 edition of the Providence Journal, a New Jersey man was arrested on charges of distribution of child pornography , using the Internet to entice a minor and attempting to engage in a sexual act with a minor. The man traveled to Rhode Island, from New Jersey, to have sex with an eight (8) year old child that he met through the Internet. The man is ...

Providence Domestic Assault Dismissed at Trial

In January of 2011, our Client was charged by the Providence Police with domestic assault , in violation of Rhode Island General Law 11-5-3/12-29-5. Simple assault is defined as every person who shall make an assault or battery or both shall be imprisoned not exceeding one year or fined not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both. Where the provisions of "The Domestic Violence Prevention ...

Narragansett Larceny Charge Dismissed

In March of 2011, our Client was charged by the Narragansett Police with larceny under $500.00 in violation of Rhode Island General Law 11-41-1. Larceny is defined as: Every person who shall steal any money, goods, or chattels, or any note of the general treasurer of this state for the payment of money, any bank bill, any certificate of any bank or of any public officer or corporation securing the ...

Cranston DUI Shootout

As reported by Bryan Rourke in the April 8, 2011 edition of the Providence Journal, Cranston Police shot at a drunk driver . The driver hit another car and fled the scene. The driver then turned his vehicle on a police officer. The officer fired at the car. The driver later lost control and hit a house. The man is charged with drunk driving (DUI) , refusal to submit to a chemical test , reckless ...