RI District Court and Traffic Tribunal Case Law

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Michael Jeff v. State of Rhode Island, A.A. No. 08-65- Reasonable grounds/ Probable Cause

Defendant appealed the decision of the Appeals Panel sustaining the violations of R.I.G.L. § 31-27-2.1 (refusal to submit to a chemical test) and § 31-15-3 (passing of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions). The Court held that the officer had probable cause to arrest because the defendant came to a screeching halt and then crossed over the double yellow lines, emitted an odor of alcohol from his breath, had slurred speech, had an open beer can in his vehicle, and failed the field sobriety tests. Accordingly, the Court affirmed the decision sustaining the violations against the defendant.

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