Rhode Island Supreme Court Decisions 2021

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court convicting Defendant of assault with a dangerous weapon and other firearm-related counts stemming from a shooting incident, holding that the trial justice did…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court held that the term "civil action" in Mass. Gen. Laws 27-7-2.2 refers to a judicial proceeding that is commenced by the filing in court of a complaint and all other required documents together with…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the order of the superior court denying Defendant's motion to vacate entry of default, holding that the hearing justice did not abuse her discretion in denying Defendant's motion. Plaintiff…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court convicting Defendant of simple domestic assault or battery and domestic refusal to relinquish or to damage or to obstruct telephone, holding that there was no…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the decision and judgment of the superior court denying Defendant's motion to correct an illegal sentence pursuant to Rule 35(a) of the Superior Court Rules of Criminal Procedure, holding that…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed Defendant's judgment of conviction and the denial of his motion for a new trial, holding that the trial justice did not err or abuse her discretion in denying Defendant's motion for a new…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed a superior court judgment of conviction for second-degree sexual assault following a 1993 jury trial and a 2019 superior court judgment adjudicating Defendant a probation violator for his…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court convicting Defendant of one count of voluntary manslaughter, holding that there was no error in the proceedings below. On appeal, Defendant argued that the…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed Defendant's conviction of second-degree child molestation sexual assault, holding that the trial justice did not err in denying Defendant's motion for a mistrial. On appeal, Defendant argued…

Justia Opinion Summary: In these consolidated appeals, the Supreme Court reversed two judgments of the superior court entered in favor of Petitioners, a group of taxpayers who challenged the City of Providence's tax assessments on their…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the final decree of the superior court foreclosing Respondent's right of reception for property sold at a tax sale, holding that there was no error. Petitioner purchased the property at issue…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the decree of the family court terminating Mother's parental rights to her son, holding that the family court did not err. The trial justice found by clear and convincing evidence that Mother…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court in favor of Defendants in this case involving an allegedly defamatory report that was broadcast on the evening news, holding that the hearing justice did not…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court convicting Defendant of first-degree murder, assault with intent to commit a felony, and two counts of discharging a firearm while committing a crime of…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court vacated the judgment of the superior court finding Defendant guilty of possession of child pornography and sentencing him to a suspended term of incarceration, with probation, and ordering him to meet…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court denying Plaintiff's claim for specific performance of a purchase and sale agreement (PSA) in favor of Defendants - Irene M. O'Malley Revocable Trust and John…

Justia Opinion Summary: In this case involving complex and protracted litigation regarding multiple high-interest loans between commercial borrowers and lenders the Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court granting partial…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment and order of the superior court reversing a decision and order of the Rhode Island Department of Health (DOH) Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline (the Board) that required…

Justia Opinion Summary: In this case involving complex litigation surrounding usurious loans between commercial borrowers and letters the Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the superior court granting summary judgment in favor of…

Justia Opinion Summary: In this litigation between the beneficiaries and trustees of two trusts the Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court granting the trustees' petition for their services and expenses, including attorneys'…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court quashed the order of the district court that denied Appellant's request for attorneys' fees pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws 28-44-57(c) after Appellant successfully appealed a denial of unemployment…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court convicting Defendant of one count of first-degree child molestation sexual assault and two counts of second-degree child molestation sexual assault, holding…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court vacated the judgment of the superior court granting summary judgment in favor of Defendant in this personal injury case, holding that, contrary to precedent, the hearing justice passed upon an issue…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed Defendant's conviction of one count of first-degree robbery and other firearm-related offenses, holding that there was no error in the proceedings below. On appeal, Defendant argued that the…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court dismissing Plaintiff's complaint against Defendants - Brown University and two of its officials - seeking damages and equitable relief arising out of…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court denying Defendant's motions for judgment as a matter of law and for a new trial and from the judgment in favor of Plaintiffs in this case arising from an…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed Defendant's conviction of one count of second-degree murder and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, holding that the trial justice did not err in failing to grant a…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court convicting Defendant of two counts of second-degree child molestation sexual assault, holding that the trial justice did not err. On appeal, Defendant argued…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court vacated the order of the superior court granting the request of Petitioners to appoint a temporary receiver for Respondent, Bard Group, LLC, holding that Petitioners lacked standing to seek the…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court convicting Defendant of five counts related to conduct stemming from a drive-by shooting, holding that there was no error in the proceedings…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the superior court's entry of a judgment of conviction and commitment reflecting the fact that a jury found Defendant guilty of one count of first-degree sexual assault, holding that the trial…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court quashed the decree of the Appellate Division of the Workers' Compensation Court (WCC) awarding attorneys' fees and costs to Petitioner, holding that the WCC's Appellate Division acted in excess of its…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the order of the district court committing Respondent to a residential living facility for adults with developmental disabilities, holding that there was no error or abuse of discretion. The…

Justia Opinion Summary: In this action alleging breach of contract and seeking declaratory judgment the Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court finding in favor of Plaintiffs and the order denying Defendants' motion for a new…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court granting summary judgment to Defendant, Narragansett Bay Insurance Company (NBIC), in this dispute as to whether Plaintiffs, pursuant to their homeowners…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the decree of the family court terminating Mother's parental rights to her four minor children pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws 15-7-7(a)(2)(vii) and 15-7-7(a)(3), holding that this Court will not…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court vacated the partial final judgment of the superior court in favor of Defendants - Visconti, Boren & Campbell Ltd. and Richard Boren - in this legal malpractice action, holding that the summary judgment…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court convicting Defendant of first-degree murder after a jury trial, holding that the trial justice did not err in denying Defendant's motion for a new trial. On…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the order of the family court denying Mother's motion to relocate with the parties' minor child and vacated the order granting Father's motion to modify child support, holding that the trial…

Justia Opinion Summary: In this property dispute, the Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court in favor of Plaintiffs - Middle Creek Farm, LLC; Middlecreek, LLC; and Douglas and Catherine Politi - holding that the hearing…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed Defendant's conviction of one count of driving under the influence, holding that Defendant was not entitled to relief as to her allegations of error. On appeal, Defendant argued that the trial…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the partial judgment of the order of the superior court granting injunctive relief in favor of Plaintiff, Read's Landscape Construction, Inc., holding that the trial justice did not…

Justia Opinion Summary: In this medical malpractice action, the Supreme Court vacated the order of the superior court granting Plaintiff's motion for a new trial after the jury found that Defendant breached the duty of care owed to the patient…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the decree of the superior court foreclosing Defendants' rights of redemption in property purchased at a tax sale by Plaintiff, holding that there was no error in the proceedings below. As…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the family court entered in favor of Plaintiff granting her motion for relief after final judgment and ordering that Defendant comply with the terms of a previously entered…

Justia Opinion Summary: In this negligence action arising from a slip and fall on an icy sidewalk the Supreme Court affirmed the final judgment of the superior court granting summary judgment in favor of Defendants, holding that the grant of…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the order of the superior court denying Defendants' appeal of a superior court order denying their "motion to vacate" a foreign judgment rendered in New York, which was brought in accordance…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court vacated the judgment of the family court convicting Defendant of cruelty to or neglect of a child and sentencing her to a one-year suspended term of imprisonment, with probation, holding that a new…

Justia Opinion Summary: In this negligence action, the Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court in favor of Defendant, the Narragansett Electric Company, holding that a public utility generally owes no common law duty to…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the order of the family court denying Defendant's motion seeking visitation with his minor daughter, whom he shared with Plaintiff, holding that the family court did not err or abuse its…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court convicting Defendant on eight criminal counts related to a robbery and the resulting exchange of gunshots, holding that there was no error in the proceedings…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed Defendant's convictions for first-degree murder, discharging a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, and carrying a firearm without a license, holding that there was no…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court adjudicating Defendant a probation violator, affirmed the order denying Defendant's motions to dismiss and to reconsider, and affirmed the hearing justice's…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the decree of the family court terminating Mother's parental rights to her son, holding that Mother's arguments on appeal were unavailing. The trial justice found that was not in the child's…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court in favor of the Estate of Everett Joseph Hopkins in the Estate's action to declare a warranty deed null and void for failure of delivery, holding that the…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court in favor of Defendants - RISE Prep Mayoral Academy and the City of Woonsocket building inspector and zoning official - and dismissing the City's request for…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the order of the family court denying Plaintiff's motion to modify visitation and contact with the two children he shared with Defendant, holding that the family court did not err. In denying…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgments of the family court granting joint custody of the parties' minor child to Mother and Father, with physical placement awarded to Mother, and finding Mother in contempt of a prior…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court granting summary judgment in favor of the City of Warwick and the State and dismissing this negligence action for personal injuries, holding that the public…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the trial justice in this case terminating Defendant's marriage to Plaintiff on the grounds of irreconcilable differences, holding that the trial court did not err. After a…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the decree of the family court terminating Father's parental rights to his daughter, holding that the family court did not abuse its discretion. After a termination trial, the trial justice…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court reversed the decision of the superior court granting summary judgment in favor of Appellee on the basis that Appellant failed to perfect her probate appeal under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-23-1, holding that…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed in part and vacated in part the judgment of the superior court revoking Appellant's pension benefits and denying his request for return of his retirement contributions paid into the Employees'…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed in part and quashed in part the judgment of the superior court affirming a decision of the Town of Charlestown Zoning Board of Review denying a special-use permit and a dimensional variance,…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court granting summary judgment in favor of Defendant, as trustee of the Trust of Anna H. Blankstein, and dismissing Plaintiff's complaint for an accounting…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court denying Defendant's renewed motion for judgment as a matter of law or, in the alternative, a motion for a new trial, holding that the trial justice did not…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court convicting Defendant of second-degree murder, receiving stolen goods, conspiracy, operating a vehicle on a suspended license, and carrying a knife greater…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court convicting Defendant of one count of first-degree sexual assault and three counts of second-degree child molestation after a jury trial, holding that there…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the order of the superior court confirming the judicial foreclosure of Defendant's home in favor of Plaintiff, Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, holding that the superior court did not err. On…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court confirming an arbitration award in favor of Petitioner, holding that there was no error by the hearing justice in granting the motion to confirm and denying…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court in favor of Citizens Bank, N.A. arising from two delinquent student loans, holding that the superior court did not err. In 2007, Defendant entered into two…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court entered in favor of Plaintiffs, Charles and Nicole Martin, on their claim for injunctive relief allowing them to access a common driveway for the purpose of…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court granting summary judgment in favor of Defendants, the individual unit owners of the Goat Island South Condominium (GIS Condominium) and the Goat Island South…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court granting summary judgment in favor of Plaintiff, the Estate of Michael F. Cassiere, on Plaintiff's claim for distribution of assets held in the Carmen D.…

Justia Opinion Summary: In this landlord-tenant dispute, the Supreme Court affirmed the order of the superior court dismissing Landlord's complaint as well as Tenants' counterclaims, holding that the superior court properly dismissed the…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of conviction and commitment entered in the superior court reflecting the fact that Defendant was found guilty of second-degree murder, holding that the trial justice did not err…

Justia Opinion Summary: In this partition action, the Supreme Court vacated the judgment of the superior court ruling that Plaintiff's death terminated her interest in a joint tenancy, holding that R.I. Gen. Laws 34-15-12 abrogates the common…

Justia Opinion Summary: In this foreclosure action, the Supreme Court affirmed in part and vacated in part the judgment of the superior court, holding that questions of disputed material facts existed regarding Plaintiff's claims for breach of…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed Defendant's conviction for six counts of first-degree child molestation sexual assault, three counts of second-degree child molestation sexual assault, and second-degree child abuse, holding…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court vacated Defendant's conviction for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in physical injury, reckless driving resulting in physical injury, and…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Retirement Board of the Employees' Retirement System of the City of Providence denying Petitioner's application for an accidental disability retirement, holding that the…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court in favor of Defendant in this defamation case, holding that the trial justice did not err by granting summary judgment as a matter of law. The jury returned…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court granting summary judgment in favor of Defendant and dismissing Plaintiffs' claim for breach of the implied warranty of habitability, holding that Plaintiffs'…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court vacated the judgment of the superior court convicting Defendant of possession of child pornography and sentencing him to a term of imprisonment of five years, with two years suspended, with probation,…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court declaring Defendant to be a probation violator and sentencing Defendant to the nine years remaining on his suspended sentence, holding that there was no error…

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the superior court's grant of judgment as matter of law in favor of Defendant, individually and as trustee of The Gilbert F. Roy, Jr. Residence Trust - 2005, holding that the trial justice did…