Trial Judge’s Findings of Facts

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 R.I.G.L. 1956 § 31-14-2 (prima facie limits). The Court held that the trial judge must articulate the findings of facts with sufficient particularity so that an intelligent review may be made. Here, the Court held that the trial judge had done so, considering a majority of the Appeals Panel stated that an intelligent review could be made. Accordingly, the Court affirmed the decision of the trial court sustaining the charge against the defendant.John Duffy v. State of Rhode Island, A.A. No. 03-34 (November 8, 2007).pdf