§ 12-28-4.3. Pretrial conferences — Misdemeanors in district court.
(a) In all misdemeanor cases heard before the district court, the victim of the alleged criminal offense shall be afforded the opportunity to address the court during the pretrial conference, unless the judge determines, based on the facts of the particular case, that the presence of the victim would substantially interfere with the court’s ability to administer justice. At the pretrial conference, the victim shall be afforded the opportunity to explain the impact which the defendant’s criminal conduct has had upon the victim and to comment on the proposed disposition of the case.
(b) For the purposes of this section, “victim” is one who has sustained personal injury or loss of property directly attributable to the criminal conduct with which the defendant has been charged.
History of Section.P.L. 1986, ch. 405, § 2.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 12-28 - Victim’s Rights
Section 12-28-1. - Short title.
Section 12-28-2. - Legislative purpose.
Section 12-28-3. - General rights.
Section 12-28-4. - Right to address court prior to sentencing.
Section 12-28-4.1. - Right to address court regarding plea negotiation.
Section 12-28-4.2. - Representative of incapacitated victim.
Section 12-28-4.3. - Pretrial conferences — Misdemeanors in district court.
Section 12-28-5. - Civil judgment against defendant.
Section 12-28-5.1. - Restitution.
Section 12-28-6. - Right to address parole board.
Section 12-28-7. - Noncompliance not affecting validity of conviction, sentence, or parole.
Section 12-28-8. - Child victims.
Section 12-28-9. - Victims’ services unit.
Section 12-28-10. - Victims of domestic abuse — Employment discrimination.
Section 12-28-11. - Notification to immediate family members of homicide victims.