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I take my job as criminal defense attorney very seriously, and work relentlessly to achieve the very best result for my clients in and out of court. I strongly believe that a well-planned defense strategy and the assistance of an experienced and skillful criminal defense attorney can make all the difference between a criminal conviction - and a verdict of “not guilty.”

RECENT RI CRIMINAL DEFENSE VICTORIES

CHARGE: MISDEMEANOR SHOPLIFTING
POLICE REPORT: Client, a local college student, was seen on video at CVS taking items and concealing them on her person. Client then attempted to exit the store without paying for the items and was stopped by store security. Client was arrested and charged with misdemeanor shoplifting (R.I.G.L. Section 11-41-20).
RESULT: DISMISSED on 6/15/10

CHARGE: DOMESTIC ASSAULT AND BATTERY
POLICE REPORT: Client and his wife were intoxicated and had a verbal altercation. The altercation became heated and the Client allegedly hit his wife, threw her to the ground, and began choking her. A third party broke the fight up and the police were summonsed. Upon their arrival and after interviewing witnesses, the Police arrested the Client and charged him with one count of Domestic Simple Assault and Battery (R.I.G.L. Section 11-41-20).
RESULT: DISMISSED on 6/15/10

CHARGES:
(1) WITNESS INTIMIDATION
(2) DISTURBING THE PEACE
(3) DISORDERLY CONDUCT
(4) THREATS TO COMMIT A CRIME
POLICE REPORT: Client and her Husband had traveled to Olive Garden for dinner. Once at the Olive Garden, a verbal argument ensued with another couple. The police were summoned, and charged the Client with a number of very serious criminal charges, including Felony Witness Intimidation.
RESULT:
(1) DISMISSED
(2) DISMISSED
(3) CONTINUED WITHOUT A FINDING FOR ONE YEAR
(4) CONTINUED WITHOUT A FINDING FOR ONE YEAR on 6/9/10

CHARGE:
(1) DOMESTIC ASSAULT AND BATTERY
(2) DOMESTIC DISORDERLY CONDUCT
POLICE REPORT: Client and his significant other had gone out to a local bar to celebrate their upcoming graduation. At one point, the two became separated and the Client lost contact and was not able to reach his significant other via telephone. The two met up later in the night and both were highly intoxicated. An argument ensued regarding the lack of contact, the Client then allegedly assaulted the victim. Campus security heard the argument and entered the room with the Client holding the victim down on the ground. Police were summonsed and charged the Client with Domestic Assault and Battery and Domestic Disorderly Conduct.
RESULT:
(1) DISMISSED
(2) DISMISSED on 6/8/10

CHARGE:
(1) DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL
(2) REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO A CHEMICAL TEST (BREATHALYZER)
POLICE REPORT:Client was driving home from the bar. On the ride home, a local Police Officer witnessed the Client's motor vehicle travel into the breakdown lane, cross over the double yellow line multiple times, and make a left-hand turn without signaling. The Officer initiated a motor vehicle stop. Immediately upon speaking with the Client the Officer detected a strong odor of alcohol, bloodshot and watery eyes, and mumbled speech. The Officer requested the Client submit to standardized field sobriety tests, which the Client failed. The Officer placed the Client under arrest, transported her to the station, and requested that she submit to a breathalyzer test. The Client refused to submit to the breathalyzer test and was charged with Driving Under the Influence (BAC Unknown) and Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test (Breathalyzer).
RESULT:
(1) REDUCED DOWN TO RECKLESS DRIVING AND FILED FOR ONE YEAR WITH NO FURTHER LOSS OF LICENSE
(2) DISMISSED on 6/7/10

CHARGE: SIMPLE ASSAULT AND BATTERY
POLICE REPORT: Police respond to a home for a report of an assault and battery. Upon arrival, they encounter a juvenile with a severely black eye and an injured right hand. The complaining juvenile provides police with a written statement that his older brother and another man, the Client, jumped him and beat him over an alleged stolen cell phone. Juvenile is transported to the Hospital for medical treatment and the two alleged assailants are each charged with one count of Simple Assault and Battery (R.I.G.L. Section 11-5-3).
RESULT: DISMISSED on 3/29/10

CHARGE: DISORDERLY CONDUCT
POLICE REPORT: Client walks out of a local bar at closing time and encounters numerous police officers who had been involved in an altercation with another patron. Police order the Client to leave the scene, but the Client lingers while trying to arrange a ride home. Police begin bullying Client to leave, and eventually he begins walking down the street. A few hundred yards down the road, the Police pull over and arrest the Client for Disorderly Conduct – Obstructing a Highway (R.I.G.L. Section 11-45-1).
RESULT: DISMISSED on 3/25/10

CHARGE: WILLFUL TRESPASSING
POLICE REPORT: Two Professional Photographers from an International News Agency were sent on an assignment to Brown University in Providence, RI to photograph Emma Watson, famous for her role in the Harry Potter series as Hermione Granger. Upon the Photographers arrival, they were both given “No Trespass” orders by Brown University Police which forbade them from entering Brown University owned property. The following day the Photographers entered Brown Bookstore and the two were immediately arrested for Willful Trespass on Brown University Property in violation of R.I.G.L. 11-44-26.
RESULT: BOTH CASES DISMISSED on 3/23/10

CHARGE: POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL BY A MINOR (VIOLATION)
POLICE REPORT: Client was visiting friends, who attend Roger Williams University, in Bristol, RI. During the visit, the Client attended a house party in downtown Bristol. The party was broken up by the police and as the Client was leaving he was stopped by a Police Officer. The Officer asked the Client for Identification and the Client then revealed that he was under twenty-one (21) years of age. The Client was in possession of an alcoholic beverage and was cited for Possession of Alcohol by a Minor.
RESULT: FINE PAID AND CASE WAS IMMEDIATELY EXPUNGED on 3/17/10

CHARGE: PERMITTING THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL BY A MINOR (MISDEMEANOR CRIMINAL CHARGE)
POLICE REPORT: Client, a Roger Williams University Student, invited friends over his downtown Bristol residence. Nearly 80 people showed up, many of whom the Client did not know personally or invite. Police arrived to break the party up and the Client requested the Officer’s assistance in clearing the party out. While clearing the party out, the Police identified two individuals who were in possession of alcohol and both were under the age of 21. As a result, the Police charged the Client and his roommate with Permitting the Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor in violation of R.I.G.L. 3-8-11.1.
RESULT: DISMISSED on 3/17/10

CHARGE: DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL (BLOOD TEST RESULTS OF 0.16)
POLICE REPORT: Client was driving home from a local bar, ran a stop sign, and crashed into a fence. Emergency responders transported the Client to the Hospital. At the Hospital, the Client consented to a Blood Test for purposes of determining her Blood Alcohol Level. The blood was taken and tested at the State Toxicology Laboratory with the result of a blood alcohol level of 0.16, twice the legal limit. Client was then charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, blood alcohol level 0.15 and above.
RESULT: REDUCED TO RECKLESS DRIVING on 3/16/10

CHARGE: DISORDERLY CONDUCT
POLICE REPORT: Client was gambling at a local casino. After an argument with another patron, the Client was asked to leave by Casino Security. Casino Security allege that the Client raised his fist in a threatening manner towards the Security Captain. The Casino Security then took the Client to the ground, restrained the Client, and then turned the Client over to the local police department. Police, based on the statements of Casino Security, arrested and charged the Client with Disorderly Conduct.
RESULT: DISMISSED on 3/12/10

CASE TYPE: EXPUNGEMENT
POLICE REPORT: Client was charged and convicted of DUI (Driving Under the Influence) by the Rhode Island State Police in 1999.
RESULT: EXPUNGED on 2/25/10

CHARGE: POSSESSION OF CRACK COCAINE
POLICE REPORT: Client was stopped by the police during a routine traffic stop. As the Officer approached the driver's side window, he noticed a "knotted corner baggie" containing what he described as a "solid white powder" believed to be crack cocaine on the Client's lap. Client then grabbed the object, placed it in his mouth, and swallowed the object. The Officer then grabbed the Client and ordered him to spit the object out. The Client refused to spit the object out and repeatedly denied denied having any knowledge or narcotic possession. Client was then arrested and charged with possession of crack cocaine.
RESULT: CHARGE DISMISSED BY JUDGE AFTER ARGUMENT ON A DEFENSE MOTION TO DISMISS FOR LACK OF PROBABLE CAUSE on 2/23/10

CHARGE: DISORDERLY CONDUCT (FIGHTING AND THREATENING BEHAVIOR)
POLICE REPORT: Clients, two brothers, were present at a house party when a fight broke out between rival groups. One of the brothers was struck with a tire iron. The other brother came to the injured bother's rescue, took him from the home to a local hospital. While at the hospital, the Police arrived and began interrogating the brothers. Under threat of being charged with a felony and spending the weekend in jail, the brothers admitted to being present at the party and involved in the incident. The other people at the party made allegations that the brothers were the aggressors and started the fight. The two brothers were then charged with Disorderly Conduct, Fighting and Threatening Behavior.
RESULT: ALL CHARGES DISMISSED on 2/12/10

CHARGE: SPEEDING (117 MPH IN A 65 MPH ZONE)
POLICE REPORT: Client was stopped by the Police for Speeding.
RESULT: REDUCED to 95 MPH IN A 65 MPH ZONE with no loss of drivers license on 2/9/10

CHARGE: DISORDERLY CONDUCT (FIGHTING WORDS)
POLICE REPORT: Client, a 18 year old, was escorted out of Club Ultra due to being involved in a fight at the Club. According to the Police, once outside the Client stated, "I am going to call all my boys out of the club to kick the bouncers asses." The Police then told the Client to leave, the Client refused stating that he was not leaving until he got his revenge. The Police continued to demand that the Client leave the scene, at which point the Client started screaming "You Cops are pussies!" The Client and a female friend with him were then pepper sprayed by the Police, and arrested for Disorderly Conduct, Fighting Words.
RESULT: NOT GUILTY AFTER TRIAL on 2/5/10

CHARGE: OPERATING WITHOUT INSURANCE
POLICE REPORT: Client was stopped by the Police for failure to use a turn signal. Client could not locate his insurance information, and was charged with operating without insurance.
RESULT: DISMISSED on 2/4/10

CHARGE: DOMESTIC ABUSE PROTECTION ORDER (RESTRAINING ORDER)
POLICE REPORT: Client was served with a Temporary Order Domestic Protection from Abuse with allegations of physical, verbal, and emotional abuse. Family Court Judge issued an Ex Parte Order of Protection in December based on the allegations in the complaint.
RESULT: DISMISSED on 2/4/10

CASE TYPE: EXPUNGEMENT
POLICE REPORT: Client was charged with Vandalism and Domestic Disorderly Conduct by the North Smithfield Police Department. Prior to trial, the charges were dismissed by the Town.
RESULT: EXPUNGED on 2/1/10

CHARGE: OPERATING ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE
POLICE REPORT: Client was stopped by the Police for failure to use a turn signal. Client drivers license had been suspended by the Rhode Island Registry of Motor Vehicles.
RESULT: DISMISSED on 1/25/10

CHARGES:
COUNT 1: DOMESTIC VANDALISM / MALICIOUS INJURY TO PROPERTY
COUNT 2: DOMESTIC DISORDERLY CONDUCT
POLICE REPORT: Client’s ex-girlfriend called 911 and reported that she had been in an argument with the Client. She told the police that the two got into a heated argument about the Client checking her cell phone and accusing her of cheating. Further, she stated that the Client became verbally abusive and threatening, repeatedly calling her a whore and a slut. The Client’s ex-girlfriend went on to tell the police that at one point during the argument the Client smashed a bottle of wine against her vehicle window breaking the window. Police arrived on scene and found a smashed bottle of wine and damage to the window of the vehicle.
RESULTS:
COUNT 1: DISMISSED
COUNT 2: DISMISSED on 1/12/10

CHARGE: AXLE RESTRICTIONS ON THE PAWTUCKET RIVER BRIDGE
POLICE REPORT: Client, an Iowa Trucking Company, received a $3,000 ticket under Rhode Island General Law Section 31-25-30 (1st Offense) for violating the axle restrictions by traveling over the Pawtucket River Bridge in Rhode Island.
RESULT: TICKET DISMISSED on 1/11/10