Preventing Convictions Under the Rhode Island Colin Foote Law

With the objective of saving lives and protecting the community, the Rhode Island General Assembly enacted the Colin Foote law. Under this law, drivers convicted of (4) four traffic violations within an eighteen (18) month period would be required to attend sixty (60) hours of driver's training and perform sixty (60) hours of community service.  Additionally, a person convicted under this law would face fines of up to $1,000 and face the loss of their driver's license for up to two (2) years.

The Colin Foote law seeks to take the habitual traffic violator off of the streets of Rhode Island for a long period of time.  Consequently, it is imperative that each traffic ticket be defended to the fullest extent by an experienced criminal defense attorney.  Often people who recieved a ticket just mail in the fine because they incorrectly think it is not worth their time and money to go to court.  By doing this, people bypass the opportunity to use the good drivers statute.  However, this has become major mistake to do so.  Judges at the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal are starting to suspended licenses for as little as three tickets.  As a defendant, you need to fight every ticket that you receive whether it means hiring a lawyer to try to get you an alternative disposition or go to trial and challenge the charge itself.  You must be proactive otherwise you will find yourself with a suspended license down the road. 

If you or a loved one are in the unfortunate position of having been convicted of multiple traffic violations within a short period of time, you have little choice but to hire an experienced defense attorney to prevent additional convictions and prevent you from being considered a violator of the Colin Foote law.

The judges and magistrates of the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal have taken an aggressive stance in enforcing the Colin Foote law.  Often the judges and magistrates will suspend or revoke driver's licenses for between one (1) and two (2) years upon a conviction of this law. The effects of a suspension of a drivers license for an extended period of time such as one (1) year or more can be devastating to a person.  The loss of a license can have an negative effect on a person's employment and their overall life. A good criminal defense lawyer may be the difference in keeping your license or having it suspended. Further, in more serious cases the hiring an experienced defense attorney will mean the difference between having your drivers license suspended for a few months or a few years.

Please do not take traffic violations lightly.  If you are in the position of having multiple traffic convictions within a short period of time, you need to call an experienced criminal defense attorney today.   Have an experience criminal defense attorney begin working on your traffic violations today!


Attorney Michael Zarrella has been helping people keep their driver's license for 20 years.  For more information please review his websites at www.rhodeislanddefenselawyer.com or  www.ridrunkdrivingattorney.com.