Close X

Recent Criminal Case Victories

Felony Drug Possession Charge Reduced to Frequenting a Narcotics Nuisance in the Kent County Superior Court

January 2018

CHARGE: FELONY POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (COCAINE)

At the Law Offices of Matthew T. Marin, Esq., Inc., we are extremely pleased to report the reduction of felony drug possession charges in the Kent County Superior Court on January 30th, 2018.  Our Client had been arrested by the Rhode Island State Police for felony possession of cocaine after the vehicle he was a passenger in was stopped as it travelled through the State of Rhode Island.  While other passengers were being questioned by the State Police, our Client allegedly threw a baggie of cocaine out the window into the roadway. The Client was then arrested and charged with felony possession of a controlled substance.

Once the case proceeded to the Kent County Superior Court, we raised several legal arguments with the strongest involving the length of the detention by the State Police prior to our Client's arrest.  According to the case of Rodriguez v. United States, Police Officers conducting a routine traffic stop must conclude their stop within 8-10 minutes unless they develop additional evidence to continue a criminal investigation beyond the duration necessary for the initial justification for the stop.  In our Client's case, the stop extended well beyond the 8-10 minute timeframe outlined by the United States Supreme Court in Rodriguez.  If the case had proceeded to a suppression hearing, we believe that there was a very strong case that the drugs would have been suppressed and excluded from introduction into evidence as the product of an unlawful detention.  In the end, the Prosecution agreed to reduct the charge from felony drug possession to misdemeanor frequenting a narcotics nuisance and the case was filed for one year with our Client agreeing to stay out of trouble for one year and to complete 20 hours of non-profit community service.

RESULT: FELONY DRUG POSSESSION REDUCED TO MISDEMEANOR FREQUENTING A NARCOTICS NUISANCE resulting in one year filing with twenty hours of community service on January 30th, 2018

Practice area(s): Criminal Defense

Court: Kent County Superior Court

Rhode Island Criminal Defense Attorney Matthew Marin

Matthew Marin

Attorney Matthew T. Marin is a highly skilled criminal defense lawyer with an outstanding track record in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. With expertise in DUI/DWI, drug offenses, domestic violence, and white-collar crimes, he is dedicated to providing personalized and effective representation for his clients. A "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers and a member of the National College for DUI Defense and the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, Attorney Marin is committed to staying current with the latest legal developments and giving back to his community through pro bono work.

Attorney Marin Named A SuperLawyer for Ten Consecutive Years 2014-2023

Attorney Matthew Marin has been named a Rhode Island SuperLawyer for 10 consecutive years from 2014 thru 2023. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in Rhode Island are selected by the Research Team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Super Lawyers selects lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement in their practice area.


Rhode Island Members of the National College for DUI Defense

Attorneys Marin and Barrett are both Rhode Island General Members of the National College for DUI Defense. Members represent some of the most experienced and cutting edge DUI defense attorney's throughout the Country. Nationwide, DUI laws are extremely complex and constantly changing and the College facilitates the exchange of innovative defenses throughout the Country.