Blog Posts in June, 2012

Governor Chafee Vetoes Cell Phone Search Warrant Bill

As reported by Katie Mulvaney in the June 27, 2012 edition of the Providence Journal, Governor Chafee vetoed a bill which would require police to obtain a search warrant to search cell phones and other electronics. The bill did allow for exceptions to the search warrant requirement in specific situations such as public safety or a loss of evidence. Although not law binding, the Rhode Island Police ...

North Providence Police Chief Trial Concluded

As reported in the June 26, 2012 edition of channel 10 News, the Superior Court trial involving North Providence Police Chief Whiting has ended. The Judge announced that closing arguments would be heard next Tuesday. At the close of the Prosecutor's case, one of the three (3) charges was dismissed. Whiting was originally charged with felony larceny, soliciting a police officer to receive stolen ...

Governor's Son Hosts Underage Party

As reported in the June 20, 2012 edition of the Providence Journal, Governor Chafee's son alleged host a party last month in Exeter involving underage drinking . A teenager, who was later treated at a hospital for alcohol poisoning, stated that she was drinking at a party hosted by the Governor's teenage son. The case is currently under investigation. Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws ...

Charlestown Teenager Sentenced to Training School in DUI - Serious Injury Resulting

As reported by Maria Armental in the June 20, 2012 edition of the Providence Journal, a Charlestown teenager has been sentenced to sixty (60) day at the Training School. This sentence is in connection with a drunk driving – serious injury resulting accident which occurred last fall. The teenager was driving home from a party when his car crashed into a tree. One of his passengers was seriously ...

North Providence Police Chief Trial Begins

As reported by Mark Reynolds in the June 18, 2012 edition of the Providence Journal, the trial of North Providence Police Chief Whiting has begun. The Police Chief is charged with felony larceny and solicitation. Whiting is accused of stealing $714.00 and then trying to cover it up. Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 11-41-1, larceny is defined as every person who shall steal any money, goods, ...

Governor Signs Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana

As reported by Mike McKinney in the June 13, 2012 edition of the Providence Journal, Governor Chafee has signed a new law which decriminalizes marijuana possession . The new bill will go into effect in April of 2013. The new law will make possession of marijuana, one (1) ounce or less, a civil violation. It will now be punishable by a $150.00 fine. Juvenile offenders will be required to pay the ...

Barrington Hit & Run Driver Search

As reported by Thomas J. Morgan in the June 14, 2012 edition of the Providence Journal, a Barrington teenager was injured by a hit and run driver over the weekend. The boy was riding his bicycle when he was hit and suffered minor injuries. The Barrington Police Department is currently searching for the driver. Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 31-26-1, duty to stop in accidents resulting in ...

East Greenwich Family Arrested in Drug Bust

As reported by Amanda Milkovits in the June 12, 2012 edition of the Providence Journal, an East Greenwich man and his two (2) sons have been arrested for drug related charges. The father has been charged with cultivating marijuana , possession of one (1) to five (5) kilograms of marijuana and maintaining a common nuisance. Both sons have been charged with possession of marijuana with intent to ...

Insurance Claim Denied in Drunk Driving Death Case

As reported by Thomas Egan in the June 11, 2012 edition of Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly, the U.S. District Court has denied coverage in a drunk driving – death resulting case. The case involved a car accident in Smithfield, Rhode Island in which the driver was killed. The driver's blood alcohol level was .32 , the legal limit is .08. The driver's estate filed an accidental death claim with the ...

Woonsocket Hit & Run Sentence Imposed

As reported by Katie Mulvaney in the June 5 and 6, 2012 editions of the Providence Journal, a Woonsocket woman has been sentenced in a hit and run case. The woman was found guilty of hit and run – injury resulting . The Superior Court Judge sentenced her to ten (10) years imprisonment with one (1) year to serve at the ACI, two (2) years of home confinement and seven (7) years of probation . In ...

Rhode Island General Assembly Amends Larceny Laws

Rhode Island's Governor, Lincoln Chafee, has recently signed a new bill into law which amends the larceny and fraudulent check statutes in Rhode Island. The bill was previously voted on by the Rhode Island General Assembly. The bill increases the amount of the property stolen from $500.00 to $1,500.00 which determines if a person is charged with misdemeanor larceny or felony larceny. Pursuant to ...

Changes to Rhode Island's Manslaughter Laws

As reported by Katie Mulvaney in the May 31, 2012 edition of the Providence Journal, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill to change involuntary manslaughter sentencing. Under the current law, if a person is convicted of certain crimes (first degree murder, second degree murder, involuntary manslaughter) and also convicted of discharging a firearm while committing a crime which results in ...

Rhode Island Veterans Diversion Program to Expand

As reported in the May 31, 2012 edition of the Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly, the Rhode Island Veterans Diversion Program is expanding. The Program is currently based at the 3 rd Division District Court in the Kent County Courthouse and will expand to the 6 th Division District Court in Providence in the fall. Since the Veterans Diversion Program's inception, approximately seventy-five (75) people ...