Appeals Panel
12/15/2015
State of Rhode Island v. Deborah Saulnier, C.A. No. T14-0062 (December 15, 2015)
Laned Roadway Violation
The Defendant appealed the trial judge’s decision sustaining the charged violation of G.L. 1956 §31-15-11 (laned roadways). At trial, the Trooper testified that he observed the Defendant weave into the breakdown lane and then back into traffic. The charged violation has an exception stating that a driver is able to move outside of a single lane if it is safe to do so. Because the record did not indicate that it was unsafe to move out of the single lane, the Panel held that an element of the charged violation had not been proven and the charged violation was dismissed.
State of Rhode Island v. Deborah Saulnier, C.A. No. T14-0062 (December 15, 2015).pdf
Appeals Panel
12/15/2015
State of Rhode Island v. Deborah Saulnier, C.A. No. T14-0062 (December 15, 2015)
Good Driving Statute
The Defendant appealed the trial judge’s decision sustaining the charged violation of G.L. 1956 §31-15-11 (laned roadways). The Defendant maintained she was not informed that by going to trial, her ability to use the “good driver” statute would become void. However, the Defendant was asked both prior to trial and again by the Appeals Panel if she wanted the violation dismissed pursuant to R.I.G.L. §31-41.1-7 and each time she declined. Therefore, the Panel found that she was properly informed of the availability of the good driver statute. The Panel reversed and dismissed the charged violation on other grounds.
State of Rhode Island v. Deborah Saulnier, C.A. No. T14-0062 (December 15, 2015).pdf