04/24/2018
Defendant appealed a decision by a trial judge upholding a violation of R.I.G.L. 1956 § 31-20-9 (obedience to stop signs). Defendant argued that his due process rights were violated because he was not given a “proper opportunity” to testify on his behalf. The Appeals Panel, however, noted that defendant was given multiple opportunities to ask questions of the citing officer and present his own defense. The Appeals Panel further noted that defendant had and took the opportunity to give his own version of the events in question. After making these findings, the Appeals Panel held that defendant had not been denied due process. Accordingly the Appeals Panel denied defendant’s appeal and upheld the trial judge’s decision sustaining the charged violation.
Town of Coventry v. Michael Baird, No. M17-0007 (April 24, 2018).pdf