RI District Court and Traffic Tribunal Case Law

This website is in no way affiliated with, sponsored by, or supported by the Rhode Island Judiciary, the Rhode Island District Court, or Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal.

John Waterman v. RITT, A.A. No. 06-40 Probable Cause

Defendant appealed the decision of the Appeals Panel sustaining the violations of R.I.G.L. 1956 § 31-27-2.1 (refusal to submit to a chemical test) and § 31-21-1 (stopping on traveled portion of open highway prohibited). The Court held that where the defendant was stopped at a green light, partially over the white line, slumped over the steering wheel, emitted a moderate odor of alcohol, and failed field sobriety tests, the officer had reasonable grounds to request the defendant to submit to a chemical test. Accordingly, the Court affirmed the decision of the trial court sustaining the charges against the defendant.

Case Index