I have been asked the question "How can a former state prosecutor for ten years successfully take on defending those accused of a crime?" Here are a few reasons why and how I made the transition to criminal defense work and how I consistently achieve great results for my clients.
I came from a middle-class Italian American home. My parents instilled in me and my siblings the importance of education, leading an ethical life, thinking critically and being fair minded. As a state prosecutor for many years, I put people behind bars for various felonious, such as, murder, assault, and dealing large quantities of drugs to name a few. I was tough when I felt needed to be but wouldn't hesitate to give a charged person a break when I believed the overall circumstance and the accused's background warranted some leniency. True, I'm a lawyer, but I'm a person first. Those who commit criminal acts often aren't bad people but perhaps have been dealt some very difficult cards in life or have just made an isolated lapse in judgment. I never make a personal assessment or judgment of anyone, unless I've walked a mile in their shoes.
I always over prepare my cases and look behind the alleged facts. I often questioned police officer witnesses about details that seemed troublesome or did not make sense. Once during a case I was prosecuting, an officer ask me, "Well, what do you want me to say?" My reply was "Just tell the truth." Due process and equal protection apply to everyone, no exceptions. That officer told the truth in accordance with my directive and the truth did cause some issues for my prosecution. Regardless, I slept soundly knowing I had done the right thing. The truth belongs on both sides of the bench. I am dedicated to preserving and protecting the rights and equality for all people - values by which I practice law then and now.
As a criminal defense attorney today, I investigate my cases thoroughly and ask the tough questions to all parties involved. There is nothing worse in our criminal justice system than to put an innocent person behind bars or sentence someone unfairly. My previous criminal prosecution experience, with well over 100 jury trials, has made me a better and more successful defender. If you know the offense as a prosecutor, then you know what is coming and you are better equipped to defend.
In my eleven years of private practice, I have achieved many acquittals at the state and federal level for serious allegations, such as gun charges, first degree robbery, and other misdemeanor accusations. I have also had many cases dismissed at the pre-trial phase without ever having to go to court. With a different attorney who potentially conducts a less than thorough pre-trial investigation, things could have gone the other way. Simply said, everyone has a story, and everyone has made mistakes.
I also have a very vibrant post-conviction relief practice for people who have been convicted of a crime and hope to clean up their record. Whether you are seeking citizenship, employment, or peace of mind, I have successfully over-turned criminal convictions in over 50 cases. The unfounded convictions were often due to a hidden constitutional or legal error made during the prosecution and the sentencing phases of the case which I was able to uncover. I have also negotiated numerous felony cases to lesser misdemeanor charges that circumvent any immigration and/or deportation issues.
In addition to criminal defense, I handle a variety of personal injury litigation, commercial litigation, transactional work and family law which I approach using the same values. My civil experience is wide and varied. As a civil defense lawyer at a Boston firm, I obtained two civil defense verdicts after jury trials in the superior court and a directed verdict on another. I am a proud member of the Rhode Island Bar and a member of the United States District Court of Rhode Island. I am also a member of the Massachusetts State Bar Associations and am licensed to practice in Massachusetts.
Let's face it, there are no guarantees in life especially in the legal world. However one thing I CAN guarantee is that as your lawyer, you will always receive honest, fair, and dedicated representation with a strong commitment, compassion, and devotion to YOU, my client, and to achieving the best possible outcome.
Past Positions
• Gidley, Lovegreen & Sarli, Litigation Associate - Medical Malpractice Defense, Construction Litigation, Insurance Defense (1990-1991)
• Town of Lincoln, Assistant Town Solicitor (1990-1991)
• Rhode Island Dept. of Attorney General, Criminal Trial Prosecutor (1991-2000)
• Morrison Mahoney, LLP, Trial/Litigation Associate - Premises Liability, Medical/Health Care Malpractice, General Tort Liability, Commercial Litigation and other Insurance Defense Litigation (2001-2005, 2007)
• Schechtman Halperin Savage, LLP, Trial/Litigation Associate - Commercial Litigation needs for Rhode Island corporations and businesses (2006-2007)
• Rice, Dolan and Kershaw, Trial/Litigation Associate - Premises Liability, General Tort Liability and Insurance Defense Litigation (2005-2006)
Community Involvement
• Vice Chairman of the Parks & Recreation Committee, Barrington RI: 2012-2017; Statewide and local political campaign work/political activist
