Newport Legal Blog

As in many states, Rhode Island's implied consent law requires you to submit to a blood alcohol test if a police officer has probable cause to believe you are driving while intoxicated. Some examples of probable cause include the smell of alcohol on your breath, slurred speech or glassy eyes. However, police will typically ask you to perform certain tests to confirm their suspicion.

Field sobriety tests involve a series of physical activities to test your balance, coordination and ability to follow directions, all of which the consumption of a few drinks will compromise. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has standardized three components of the FST, citing studies that show how reliable they are for validating the intoxication of a driver. However, many variables may render the results of the test invalid.

After facing criminal charges, going through the Rhode Island criminal trial process and ultimately being convicted, you may feel pretty down and out. It is understandable. Believe it or not, your fight may not be over just yet. If you haven't been through it already, you may still have the appeals process on your side.

What is the appeals process? How do I start it? Do I have to do it alone?

A Rhode Island man allegedly crashed into a police cruiser that was patrolling for drunk drivers. According to Turnto10.com, the Smithfield officer was part of Operation Rhode Island Blue Riptide, a group of law enforcement agencies working to decrease the number of drunk driving instances in the state.

The officer was on the side of the road on Douglas Pike sitting in his cruiser writing a ticket to a different motorist when he was struck by the allegedly drunk driver. His emergency lights were flashing when the cruiser was hit from behind by the other vehicle. Both vehicles sustained damage. The driver was unharmed in the crash, and the officer was treated for minor injuries. In addition to a DUI, the driver was cited with a number of other violations, including having expired vehicle registration, lacking car insurance, and refusing both a breathalyzer and a blood alcohol test. 

As America has recently seen a shift in views toward marijuana, views regarding cocaine remain largely the same. Although common and easily accessible in the state of Rhode Island, cocaine generally has a negative reputation, with its high connection to other crimes. However, it is important to know the variety of factors that can determine the severity of a case, including the quantity of the drug, the type of cocaine and past criminal records.

On top of the severe penalties that can take place as a result of cocaine possession or distribution, recent news from the Providence Journal warns the public of fentanyl-laced cocaine. A powerful synthetic opioid that has gripped the country, fentanyl has found its way into cocaine in large amounts. Rhode Island law enforcement has found large amounts of this laced drug during recent drug arrests, and officials report that fentanyl is the second most common drug detected in drug samples seized by law enforcement in 2017. It appears that such drastic measures have forced change regarding social perspective on illegal drugs, wherein health experts and law enforcement have recently had to prioritize helping and saving users in danger over arresting them.