As reported by Maria Armental in the April 4, 2013 edition of the Providence Journal, a former candidate for Congress has been arrested by the Narragansett Police Department and charged with drunk driving and resisting arrest. The police reported the man was belligerent and police had to use pepper spray.
Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 31-27-2, drunk driving 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 these, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor except as provided in subdivision (d)(3) and shall be punished as provided in subsection (d) of this section.
The penalties if convicted include a fine, community service, a period of license suspension, participation in DUI School or alcohol counseling and assessments. The level of penalties increases based on the chemical test results. A first offense DUI charge is a misdemeanor.
Pursuant to R.I.G.L. 12-7-10, resisting arrest is defined as it shall be unlawful for any person to use force or any weapon in resisting a legal or an illegal arrest by a peace officer, if the person has reasonable ground to believe that he or she is being arrested and that the arrest is being made by a peace officer.
(b) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by both fine and imprisonment.
If you or a family member has been charged with drunk driving, refusal to submit to a chemical test, or other alcohol offenses, please allow Attorney Robert H. Humphrey's reputation, experience and skill to successfully guide you through the legal process. Please contact Attorney Robert H. Humphrey, Esq., at 401-816-5862 or e-mail him at rhh@rhumphreylaw.com.