Cranston Domestic Dispute Case Filed for 1 Year with Repair Condition
Criminal Charges:
Man charged in Rhode Island District Court (3rd Division, Kent County) for:
- Domestic Vandalism, in violation of RIGL § 11-44-1
- Domestic Disorderly Conduct, in violation of RIGL § 11-45-1 (a)
Case Overview:
Cranston Police responded to a report of domestic violence. Upon arrival, they were met with a female who stated that she and her boyfriend got into an argument which evolved into the man punching a hole in the kitchen cabinet. She also alleged that he then grabbed her necklace and broke it. The man admitted to these allegations. Based upon the couple’s statements and observations of the cabinet and broken necklace by police, it was apparent that the husband was the aggressor. As such, police arrested and charged him with Domestic Vandalism and Domestic Disorderly Conduct in Rhode Island District Court (3rd Division). He hired Rhode Island Criminal Defense Lawyer, John L. Calcagni III, to defend him in this matter.
Case Result: 1-Year Filing
The man had no criminal record. He also faced adverse immigration consequences of deportation if convicted of a domestic violence offense. Attorney Calcagni and his team successfully convinced the prosecutor to resolve this case in an immigration friendly manner. Specifically, the prosecutor agreed to amend the domestic violence charge to non-domestic disorderly conduct charge and to file the case for 6 months, with the condition that the man repair the damaged cabinet. Under Rhode Island law, a “filing” calls for acceptance of responsibility to a charged offense but does not result in any punishment or criminal conviction. Instead, the case is filed for up to one (1) year and providing the man does not get in any trouble during this period, the matter will be eligible for expungement at its conclusion. This disposition will also not adversely impact the man’s visa to visit the United States from the United Kingdom.