CHARGE: Second Offense Mobile Telephone Violation (R.I. Gen. Laws §31-22-11.1)
Not every case result comes from a two-day trial. Some of the most important outcomes happen before a case ever goes to hearing — when an attorney shows up prepared, identifies exactly what the client needs, and resolves the matter efficiently on day one. On March 17, 2026, Attorney Morgan Alger did exactly that at the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal, securing a full dismissal of a second offense cell phone ticket and eliminating a mandatory three-month license suspension before it ever took effect.
What the Client Was Facing
Rhode Island’s mobile telephone statute, R.I. Gen. Laws §31-22-11.1, treats first and second offenses very differently. A first offense carries a fine. A second offense triggers mandatory consequences that go significantly further — including a three-month license suspension and escalating fines. For most working adults, a three-month suspension is not a minor inconvenience. It is a crisis: lost income, loss of transportation to work or family obligations, insurance complications, and a driving record entry that follows the license for years.
Our client came to us facing exactly that exposure. The charge was a second offense. The Traffic Tribunal handles these civil violations, and without representation, the path of least resistance — showing up and paying — would have locked in the suspension automatically.
What Attorney Alger Did
Attorney Alger appeared with the client at the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal on March 17, 2026. Rather than proceed to a contested hearing, she negotiated a resolution at the client’s first appearance that resulted in a full dismissal of the charge. The client paid court costs only. No fine. No suspension. No conviction on the driving record.
This kind of outcome — a dismissal at first appearance — requires knowing how the Traffic Tribunal works, what leverage exists in a given case, and how to use it effectively. It is not guaranteed, and it is not automatic. It requires an attorney who understands the process well enough to identify when a negotiated resolution is achievable and how to pursue it.
Why the Suspension Risk Is Real
Many clients who contact us about cell phone tickets assume they can handle the matter themselves. For a first offense, that may sometimes be true. For a second offense, the stakes are different. The mandatory suspension under §31-22-11.1 kicks in automatically upon a finding of responsibility — there is no discretion. A client who simply pays the ticket, or who appears without counsel and accepts a finding of responsibility, has no ability to argue against the suspension afterward.
Having an attorney present at the first appearance creates options that do not exist if a client goes alone. Attorney Alger’s appearance on March 17 gave this client the opportunity to avoid the suspension entirely — and that opportunity was converted into a full dismissal.
If You Have a Second Offense Cell Phone Ticket in Rhode Island
If you have received a second offense mobile telephone citation in Rhode Island, do not pay it before speaking with an attorney. Paying is an admission of responsibility. Once that finding is entered, the three-month suspension follows automatically and cannot be undone.
Marin & Murphy Law Firm handles traffic violations and misdemeanor matters throughout Rhode Island. Our case results reflect consistent representation at the Traffic Tribunal, and our attorneys appear regularly before the magistrates who decide these cases. We know what is achievable and we will tell you honestly what your options are. If you are facing a license suspension or a traffic citation in Rhode Island, contact us 24/7 at (401) 228-8271 or email mm@matthewtmarin.com. The consultation is free and confidential.
CASE RESULT: Second offense mobile telephone violation dismissed in full at first appearance, Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal. No fine, no license suspension, court costs only. No conviction entered.
Practice area(s):
Traffic Violations,
Misdemeanor Defense
Court: Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal
Resolved: March 17, 2026
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is evaluated on its own facts and circumstances. This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Morgan Alger
Morgan Alger, Esq.
Attorney Morgan Alger is a Rhode Island criminal defense and traffic court attorney with Marin & Murphy Law Firm. She earned her J.D. and Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Roger Williams University School of Law, where she was a finalist in the 2022 Esther Clark Moot Court Competition, arguing before justices of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, and was selected as an ABA Legal Education Police Practices Consortium Fellow. Prior to joining Marin & Murphy, Attorney Alger interned with the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office and provided legal services representation to low-income clients in civil matters. She was admitted to the Rhode Island Bar in 2024 and represents clients in the Rhode Island District Courts, Superior Court, Traffic Tribunal, and Family Court across a range of criminal defense, traffic, and family law matters.
