Arrested in Newport RI? The City by the Sea can be a great time – but sometimes it can go too far. If you, a friend, or family member has been arrested in Newport, RI, the county’s former chief prosecutor can help. Attorney James M. Callaghan was formerly the chief prosecutor in Newport County. James […]
In criminal matters in Rhode Island courtrooms, arraignments, pre-trial conferences, pleas, and trials make up a small list of the potential scheduled appearances. After the judge takes the bench, the calendar will be called. The judge will call out each case on the docket. Depending on the court and the judge, the potential responses are […]
NO. That is the simple answer. Yet the overwhelming majority of drivers pulled over on the suspicion of drunk driving submit to the tests. Why? Because the police ask them to. Recently I asked a law enforcement officer how often drivers refuse to take the Field Sobriety Tests. His answer – almost never. Many people […]
Earlier this week, a very interesting decision regarding a home property tax appeal was rendered in the Washington County Superior Court. Even though a family from New York purchased their Watch Hill property in 2008 for $7.1 million, they successfully argued that the house should be assessed at a value well below the amount they […]
Many alcohol related stops involve field sobriety tests. The tests are called “Divided Attention Tests.” Police officers request that drivers submit to these tests because they are meant to cause a person to exercise the same mental and physical capabilities needed for safe driving. Those capabilities include: Information processing Short term memory Judgment and decision […]
Any motor vehicle moving violation, from speeding to driving too slowly, could result in a traffic stop. Depending on the circumstances, a law enforcement officer could ask a driver to perform a series of field sobriety tests before allowing that driver to continue operating the motor vehicle. So, the question is, if you have been stopped […]