Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

John E. MacDonald is a trial attorney practicing criminal defense, immigration law and post-conviction relief in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Mr. MacDonald represents clients in state and federal court in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He has aggressively and successfully defended clients charged in every type of criminal case, including capital murder, child molestation, sex crimes, rape, abuse, domestic violence, spousal abuse, homicide, manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter, sexual assault, felony assault, domestic assault, patient abuse, bank fraud, mail fraud and wire fraud. Mr. MacDonald is the author of the Rhode Island Criminal Defense Manual (3rd Edition), a top-rated manual used throughout the state by criminal defense attorneys. He is the former president of the Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. For a review of the prior criminal cases, visit: http://www.aggressivelegalservices.com/Law_Firm_Cases.html.

Mr. MacDonald represents clients seeking permanent residence and naturalization. He practices before the Providence Immigration Office and the Boston Immigration Court. For many clients facing deportation, the only recourse is post-conviction relief; that is, vacating the original conviction in state or federal court. Mr. MacDonald has successfully vacated convictions in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Mr. MacDonald is an honors graduate of Suffolk University Law School (1995) and a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Rhode Island (1990). He is admitted to practice in all state courts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He is also admitted to practice in the United States District Courts for the Districts of Rhode Island, Massachusetts as well as the First Circuit Court of Appeals.

I strongly believe that all clients, and potential clients, are entitled to as much information as possible when making important decisions concerning legal matters. Thus, as potentially your future Rhode Island Attorney I hope this biography is informative.

I am a former Rhode Island Special Assistant Attorney General from 1993-1997. During those years I prosecuted hundreds of criminal cases ranging from disorderly conduct to first degree murder in every Rhode Island County. Additionally, along with other prosecutors, I lectured in-coming police academy cadets on proper drunk driving and Rhode Island DUI investigations and prosecutions. This unique experience has allowed me a wealth of knowledge not readily available to the average Rhode Island DUI lawyer or criminal defense attorney. Since 1997 I have been applying all that I learned as a prosecutor in order to better benefit my private clients.

Since 1997 I have also been aggressively representing clients as a Rhode Island personal injury Attorney to assist those injured as a result of car accidents, motorcycle accidents or other negligent acts. The trial and negotiation skills which I honed as a prosecutor have translated into significant personal injury settlements on behalf of numerous clients I represented as a RI personal Injury Lawyer. I am a trial attorney who will present your case in court if we are unable to achieve a satisfactory settlement of your personal injury case.

Most importantly, when you hire my firm to represent you, I am the attorney handling your case and appearing in court with you. Unlike a number of firms, I do not send associates to court with you, and I do not rely on paralegals to prepare legal documents. I am in court just about every day, and I strongly believe that each client deserves this personal service. My office provides free consultations, and I am available 24 hours a day for emergencies through my cell phone number (401.487.4504). My firm provides aggressive, personal representation and we look forward to hearing from you soon. Hablamos Espanol.

Contact Attorney Macktaz Now for a FREE Consultation: EMAIL or call 401-861-1155

Rhode Island DUI Attorney

Over the past year, Attorney Kate Godin has enjoyed several major successes in representing criminal defendants. From trying (and winning) a multiple count child molestation trial, to obtaining a dismissal in a child abuse case, Kate has shown that she is willing to challenge the State at every turn. In fact, Kate recently helped (successfully) challenge a provision of the Penalties section of Rhode Islandâs Sexual Offender Registration and Community Notification Act, R.I.G.L. §§ 11-37.1-1 et seq. After writing three legal memoranda and a filing civil complaint in the case, Superior Court Presiding Judge Rodgers found that R.I.G.L. § 11-37.1-10(c) was an unconstitutional Taking as it applied to the client. In addition to significant results in major felony cases, Kate has also represented several clients in 32(f) proceedings, motions to expunge, and district court arraignments.

Kate is a member of the National Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Rhode Island Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Rhode Island and Massachusetts Bar Associations, the Rhode Island Association for Justice, and is a recent graduate of the National Criminal Defense College. She is licensed to practice in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Kate graduated fourth in her class, magna cum laude, from Roger Williams University School of Law. During her time at Roger Williams, Kate strove for the best academic and practical legal experience she could receive. From teaching law to high school seniors at Cranston East in Roger Williams' "Street Law" program, to becoming a semi-finalist in the law school's Moot Court competition, to becoming a co-captain of the Roger Williams' Trial Team, Kate took full advantage of the wonderful opportunities her legal education had to offer. As a law student, Kate completed internships with the United States Attorney's Office in Providence, criminal defense attorney (and R.I. Lawyers Weekly's Lawyer of the Year in 2008) George J. West, Providence Superior Court Justice Daniel A. Procaccini, and United States District Court Judge Ernest C. Torres. She also helped research and write two published law review articles for her professors, drafted several appellate briefs to the Rhode Island Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the First and Second Circuits, and has done extensive research in the areas of medical malpractice, housing, race relations, Constitutional and International law. She authored a 100-page article on the deficiencies of the Criminal Justice System, and has aided in the submission of two amicus curie briefs: one to the Rhode Island Supreme Court in the Lead Hazard Mitigation Act case of Mackie v. State, 936 A.2d 588 (R.I. 2007), and the other to the United States Supreme Court in the Exxon Valdez oil spill case of Exxon v. Baker , 128 S.Ct. 2605 (2008).

Kate developed her focus and strong work ethic during her time as eight-time high school National Champion in the hammer and 20-pound weight throws. Throughout high school and college, Kate competed against national record-holders and Olympians, even beating the 2000 Olympic gold medalist at the Junior World Championship in Santiago, Chile at the age of sixteen. She received training at the United States Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA, and from world record-holder Yuri Sedykh. She is a former high school national record-holder, and a NCAA finalist. Finishing her athletic career upon graduation with distinction from the Pennsylvania State University (where she obtained a double major in Crime, Law, & Justice and Sociology, and a minor in Women's Studies), Kate left behind her passion for athletic competition for a career in criminal law and litigation.

Kate knows how to handle responsibility and adversity. She knows how to stay focused under the highest levels of pressure, and how to perform against the strongest of competitors. Her belief in the ideals of the Constitution and the foundation of the Criminal Justice System makes her a passionate and dedicated criminal defense attorney, and her constant desire to further her legal education and improve her researching, writing and litigation skills makes her capable of achieving positive results in various areas of the law.

Mr. Bernardo has been practicing law for 25 years in Rhode Island. He has helped thousands of people in buying, selling and refinancing real estate both in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Mr. Bernardo has also vigorously defended many clients charged with DUI/DWI, Refusal, Assault, Drug Offenses and many other criminal matters. He is available for free consultations and does accept payment plans.