Credibility

Defendant appealed the decision of the East Providence Municipal Court sustaining the violation of R.I.G.L. § 31-22-22 (g) (safety belt use). The defendant argued that the trial judge was clearly erroneous in crediting the officer’s testimony over hers. The Appeals Panel held that crediting the testimony of the officer over the defendant’s was within the judge’s discretion because only the finder of fact may assess the credibility of the witnesses. Accordingly, the Court affirmed the trial magistrate.

City of East Providence v. Joanne Quinn C.A. No. M13-0007.pdf