Rhode Island DUI for Catholic Bishop

A Catholic bishop who leads a diocese in Massachusetts was charged with drunk driving in Naragansett, Rhode Island earlier this month. The bishop, aged 61, apparently hit another vehicle and left the scene of the accident, committing a hit-and-run. He was followed by the driver he hit who then contacted the police. The bishop was arrested, charged, and his bail set at $1,000. He pleaded not guilty in an arraignment and remained free on bail. At the arraignment, he said nothing as instructed by his attorney. Earlier, he issued an apology in a public statement in which he stated there were no excuses for his behavior. He had apparently drunk wine with his dinner prior to driving. He also refused to take a blood alcohol test at the time of incident, which constitutes an additional civil charge. His case is pending until later in the month.

A first-offense refusal to submit to a breath test is a civil violation carrying a potential fine of between $200 and $500, 10 to 60 hours of community service, 6 to 12 months of a license suspension, court-ordered participation in alcohol counseling or DUI school, and other assessments. A second or third refusal is charged as a misdemeanor with more severe repercussions. Rhode Island employs the "implied consent" law which means that part of the terms of being issued a driver's license includes the agreement to submit to a chemical test when requested to do so by a police officer.

Rhode Island DUI Defense Lawyer

Anyone charged with a DUI or a refusal to submit to a chemical test in Rhode Island faces the prospect of jail time, fines, and the loss of their driving privileges. To fight these charges and to obtain the best possible outcome, an experienced and skilled DUI defense attorney is needed. Drivers in the state have the option of hiring the Law Offices of Robert H. Humphrey to handle their cases. Mr. Humphrey has a successful 20-year track record in this field. He also spent 14 years as a former municipal prosecutor and special prosecutor. In addition to this, he is the co-author of 15 published articles in the journal of the Rhode Island Bar on the subject of DUI and refusal cases. He also prepared the Rhode Island DUI Practice Manual, widely used by DUI lawyers throughout the state in court cases.

If you are looking for tough, experienced, and skilled DUI defense, look no further. Mr. Humphrey serves clients throughout the state. You can fill out a quick, free online case analysis form on his website at www.rhumphreylaw.com or contact his offices to learn more about how you can get started with your defense case.