Blog

Under Rhode Island law, any person charged with a felony complaint in District Court may have their charges dismissed or bail set if the case is not charged within six months. It is common practice that, if charges are not filed within this period, an attorney representing the defendant will file...

The Dangers of Driving in Rhode Island on St. Patrick's Day St. Patrick's Day is a time for celebration in Rhode Island, with many people taking part in parades, parties, and gatherings. It is also one of the most dangerous days of the year when it comes to drunk driving. Whether you're enjoying...

If you've been charged with a DUI involving drugs, it's critical to understand the complexity and severity of the situation. Drug-related DUI cases are on the rise, and are often more complicated than alcohol-related cases.  The stakes of any DUI case is incredibly high.  DUI cases have severe pe...

In order to curb repeat drunk driving offenses, Rhode Island has expanded its DUI (Driving Under the Influence) look-back period from 5 years to 10 years. The "lookback" period for drunk driving offenses will go into effect on July 1, 2025.  This new DUI law carries important implications for dri...

Attorney Michael Zarrella is pleased to announce his most recent NOT GUILTY verdict. The Not Guilty verdict was secured on behalf of his client who was facing two counts of second degree child molestation and two counts of assault and battery. The trial commenced on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 i...

2017 Trial Victories The Law offices of Michael Zarrella is pleased to announce his THIRD Superior Court Not Guilty verdict of 2017. Attorney Zarrella's client was found Not Guilty in Washington County Superior Court of the charge of Felony Assault.   This has been a very success 2017 year for ...

When a person refuses a breath test and is charged with a refusal to submit to a breathalyzer, the consequences are swift and severe.  Unlike a driving under the influence charge, in the case of a refusal charge the traffic judge or magistrate can and often will  suspend your license at the arrai...

Attorney Michael Zarrella announces his most recent trial victory.   Attorney Michael Zarrella secured a not guilty verdict on behalf of a client facing Felony Assault charges.  The trial commenced in Providence Superior Court on May 3, 2016 and was completed on May 5, 2016.  After deliberating f...

     The Rhode Island General Assembly has recently introduced legislation on behalf of the Attorney General to toughen Rhode Island's drunk driving laws.  The new legislation, if enacted, would give Rhode Island the distinction of having some of the toughest penalties in the nation for driving ...

Questioning the Constitutionality of Treating a DUI Refusal as a Crime I often wonder how it could be considered a crime to refuse to take a breath test.  Under Rhode Island law, if a person refuses a breath or blood test twice in a matter of 5 years it is considered a crime.  This legislation s...

Attorney Michael Zarrella is pleased to announce the most recent update for his DUI website is now available for viewing.  The update includes the most recent DUI news and laws.  The Rhode Island DUI laws have changed dramatically over the past few years. The new update includes, but is not limit...

    Most people think that if you failed a breath test you can never beat a DUI charge.  This is simply not true.  Numerous defenses in DUI cases have always been there, but now more than ever,  a failed breath test may not lead to a DUI conviction.  The new law on DUI and refusals allowed the ju...

     The Rhode Island General Assembly and the law enforcement community in Rhode Island is consistently working to increase the penalties for domestic violence convictions.  They have also worked to revise classifications of certain crimes from misdemeanors to felonies.  As a result, on individu...

     Rhode Island DUI Ignition Interlock Devices     With the hopes of preventing the loss of lives due to drunk driving, the Rhode Island General Assembly enacted a law authorizing the courts to prevent individuals found guilty of driving under the influence from driving vehicles that do not ha...

NEW RHODE ISLAND DUI LAW UPDATE  On January 1, 2015, Rhode Island General Law §31-27-2  Driving Under Influence of Liquor or Drugs came into effect.  Since the date the law came into effect, it has become clear that there is much confusion with respect to what the new Rhode Island DUI and refus...

Starting January 1, 2015, a new DUI and refusal law will be going into effect in the State of Rhode Island.  As I previously blogged on November 6, 2014, this new DUI law will have a large impact on those people charged with DUI or chemical test refusals.  Rhode Island General Law §31-27-2  Drivi...

         The issue of domestic violence has taken center stage in the news lately due to the recent domestic violence arrests and public exposure of NFL football players.  The recent publicity highlights how widespread this issue is in the community and how it crosses all social and economic line...

      Nationwide and in Rhode Island, law enforcement has come to rely on breathalyzer tests in obtaining convictions in drunk driving and drugged driving offenses.  The use of breathalyzer machines is both a cost effective and convenient method for law enforcement to use in assessing a person's ...

With the objective of saving lives and protecting the community, the Rhode Island General Assembly enacted the Colin Foote law. Under this law, drivers convicted of (4) four traffic violations within an eighteen (18) month period would be required to attend sixty (60) hours of driver's training a...

Police dogs have been helping the police and other law enforcement agencies for decades in the government's criminal prosecution of the war on drugs.  Police dogs are trained to use their sense of smell to detect many different types of drugs including but not limited to marijuana, cocaine, and h...

Ever since I began practicing criminal defense law over 20 years ago, I have frequently been asked, “How can you represent people that have committed a crime?”, or “How can you do what you do?”.  I can confidently answer these questions with the fact that I love what I do and I love protecting pe...

Recently, two men were released from prison in the State of North Carolina for crimes that neither had committed.  Each man served 30 years in prison before being released. A review of their criminal cases substantiates the fact that both men were detained by law enforcement and after hours of qu...

    It has long been held by the United States Supreme Court that the property on a person at the time of arrest may be searched by law enforcement in order to ensure the safety of the public and law enforcement by allowing for both the search for weapons and the securing of weapons in addition t...

    In a recent United States Supreme Court case, Navarette V. California, the court in a 5-4 decision greatly expanded the ability of the police to pull a motorist over in a DUI or other criminal investigation based on an anonymous tip.  The Supreme Court held that a police traffic stop based up...

The Rhode Island General Assembly recently enacted RIGL 12-19-39.  This legislation can be categorized as "feel good" criminal legislation dealing with gangs.  The new law adds a consecutive ten (10) year sentence to any crime if it is considered gang related.  Clearly, the punishment is based s...