Firearm and Marijuana Charges Result in Suspended Sentence: A Defense by Calcagni Law
Criminal Charges:
A Providence man was arrested, and charged in the Rhode Island Superior Court (Providence County) for:
- Carrying a Firearm without a License, in violation of RIGL § 11-47-8(a)
- Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana, in violation of RIGL § 21-28-4.01(a)(4)(i)
Case Overview:
While on a routine patrol, Providence Police observed a vehicle operating with the right brake light not functioning. The vehicle made sudden turns and eventually turned onto a small side road where it turned the headlights off. Police initiated a traffic stop. Upon approaching the vehicle, officers detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. Officers asked the occupants to step out. The operator stepped out and as he did, officers noticed he was blading his body, as if to hide a firearm in his waistband. Officers then patted the man down. Upon patting the man down, police located a gun. Police seized the firearm and placed the man under arrest. After the arrest, police searched the man’s vehicle from which they seized a significant amount of marijuana from a bag located on the rear seat. The man was charged with Carrying a Firearm without a License and Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana in Rhode Island Superior Court (Providence County). The man hired Rhode Island Gun Defense Lawyer, John L. Calcagni III, to defend him in this matter.
Case Result: Suspended Sentence with Probation.
Attorney Calcagni worked quickly to submit a mitigation packet to prosecutors citing his client’s lack of criminal history, age, stable home environment, and employment history. After many months of pretrial negotiations, he successfully persuaded prosecutors to resolve the case. In exchange for the man’s plea of nolo contendere, he received 3 years at the ACI, all suspended with probation, allowing the man to avoid serving any actual jail time.