Archive for March 2026
Rhode Island Probation and Parole
It’s understandable if you’ve used “parole” and “probation” interchangeably — they both describe the legal status of an offender who has been conditionally released into the world. But parole and probation are not the same thing. They actually describe two different punishments and processes — one carried out by the traditional criminal justice system, and…
Read MoreUnderstanding Domestic Violence Laws in Rhode Island
This Article by RI Attorney Kevin Hagan explains the laws, procedures, and penalties for the crime of Domestic Violence in Rhode Island. Rhode Island General Laws Section 12-29-2(b) states that a crime becomes a crime of domestic violence when it involves parties whose spouses or former spouses, who are or have been in the past…
Read MoreBackground Checks for School Volunteers
Criminal Defense Update: Rhode Island now requires Background Checks for those who will volunteer at School Systems The governor has signed legislation, to require any individuals who are current or prospective volunteers of a school department and who may have direct or unmonitored contact with children or students on school premises to undergo a state…
Read MoreCan I Be Charged With an Underage DUI In Rhode Island?
Although the legal drinking age in Rhode Island is twenty-one years old, it is of no surprise that those who are younger also partake in the consumption of alcohol. With the legal driving age in Rhode Island being sixteen years old, the unfortunate mixture of alcohol and driving by a minor happens far too often.…
Read MoreRhode Island’s Ignition Interlock DUI Laws – RI Hardship License or Work License
Although the law is more than two years old, many of Rhode Island’s citizens are not aware of the ignition interlock law of 2015. The Rhode Island legislature looked to the Rhode Island State Police, whom have trained with other state police departments where interlock laws already exist. States that have used this system have…
Read MoreRhode Island DUI Charges – What is the legal limit?
In Rhode Island, charges for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) are a daily occurrence. Officers who reasonably suspect a driver of being under the influence will pull the driver over and investigate further, in an effort to establish probable cause to arrest. While DUI’s occur regularly, being arrested for a DUI can be a stressful…
Read MoreWhat to Know about DUI Field Sobriety Tests in RI
Field sobriety tests are used by law enforcement officials, including highway patrolling state troopers and local municipal police departments, to establish if a driving motorist is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Most typically, a field sobriety check is given during a traffic stop. If you or a loved one have been subjected to…
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