RI First Degree Sexual Assault Case Results and Testimonial

First Degree Sexual Assault Charges Results

March, 2013.  Client was facing two counts of First Degree Sexual Assault in Providence Superior Court.  After a six-day jury trial in which the state called 9 prosecution witnesses, including a DNA expert, client was found Not Guilty on all counts.
                                                                                                                                                                                         
Testimonial by family:

"There are no words to describe the gratitude of our family. You have helped us navigate the most stressful and difficult 16 months of our lives.  Because of your representation, two beautiful children will know their father's love, will never have to endure the shame and humiliation of having an incarcerated parent, can giggle and laugh as they run through the house chasing their dad as they were doing earlier. They'll never know how close they came to a life changing experience. Thank you from the depth of my soul!"
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If you have questions about this post or are interested in Criminal Defense, Divorce or Immigration Law in RI contact Rhode Island Criminal Defense Attorney John E. MacDonald at 401.421.1440.

To learn more about John MacDonald, please visit his website at AggressiveLegalServices.com.

What does it mean to be a domiciled inhabitant in a RI or MA divorce proceeding?

Rhode Island and Massachusetts handle divorce petitions very differently, but for the purpose of establishing jurisdiction (the proper court venue and the right to hear your case) both systems operate from the standpoint that at least one of the parties must be a physical resident, or a domiciled inhabitant, of the state in which you are filing.

For instance, if you live in Rhode Island with your spouse, and at least one of you has done so for at least 1 year, then you are eligible to file your divorce petition in the RI Family Court. If you or your spouse has just moved to RI however, and the time that either of you has lived here is less than a year, you will need to either live in RI for a complete year and then file your petition, or file for your divorce in the state where you resided at the time that you were married.

The same rules of residency apply for Massachusetts divorce proceedings, although the structure is a bit different. In order to file a MA divorce petition, you must have been living within the State when the grounds for divorce occured. If you were not living in the state at that time, then either you or your spouse will need to maintain a permanent, physical residence in Massachusetts for one year prior to filing for your divorce.

In both states, there is no requirement that you remain in the state after the filing of your divorce petition; merely that you have lived there for one year beforehand, and live there on the date that you file the petition.


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If you have questions about this post or are interested in Criminal Defense, Divorce or Immigration Law in RI contact Rhode Island Criminal Defense Attorney John E. MacDonald at 401.421.1440.

To learn more about John MacDonald, please visit his website at AggressiveLegalServices.com.