Constitutional Issues

The Appeals Panel reversed the trial court and dismissed the violations of R.I.G.L. 1956 § 31-22-22 (safety belt use- child restraint) and R.I.G.L. 1956 § 31-3-1 (operation of unregistered vehicle) against the defendant. Defendant appealed to the District Court claiming that the Traffic Tribunal Judges and Magistrates have been unconstitutionally appointed, and that all of their judgments are void as a matter of law. The Court held that the defendant lacked standing to bring the appeal because he was not an “aggrieved person” pursuant to R.I.G.L. § 31-41.1-9 and he lacked injury in fact. Accordingly, the Court denied and dismissed the defendant’s appeal.Charles Picerno v. State of Rhode Island, A.A. No. 08-03 (April 16, 2008).pdf