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.

At Mesiti Law, we work hard to keep our clients and their loved ones informed. Whether you have been charged with a crime or been injured in an accident, we will work closely with you to understand your particular situation and needs, and we will educate you about how the legal process and how the law applies to your case.

Mr. Rui P. Alves is admitted to practice in all State and Federal Courts in Rhode Island, as well as, all State Courts in Massachusetts. For detailed practice areas, click here. After obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the College of Criminal Justice at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, he went on to obtain a Juris Doctor from the Roger Williams University School of Law. Mr. Alves also attended the Catholic University of Portugal, School of Law in Lisbon, focusing on European Union law.

Prior to forming Alves Law, Mr. Alves was an associate at the prestigious Rhode Island Law Firm of Schreiber & Schreiber, P. C., specializing in all types of litigation. Mr. Alves worked with former special assistant Rhode Island Attorney General S. Joshua Macktaz. Also, Prior to being admitted to practice law, Mr. Alves worked at Citizens Financial Group, Inc., in the Legal Department, dealing with complex corporate governance, money laundering, check fraud and corporate law issues.

For many years, Mr. Alves worked as a Senior Criminal Clerk and Interpreter in District Court for the Rhode Island Judiciary. Working daily in the criminal court rooms, as well as, providing interpreter services to Spanish and Portuguese criminal defendants helped to expand his knowledge of criminal law and procedure.

Prior to working for the Rhode Island Courts, Mr. Alves assisted victims of domestic violence as a Court Advocate for the Women's Center of Rhode Island.

Mr. Alves has been involved in the national music industry, working with various record labels such as Def Jam Recordings, Columbia Records, Sony Records and Bad Boy Records. His work intended to working with music publications such the Source Magazine and Mix Tape Magazine.

While residing in Massachusetts, Mr. Alves was employed by the Boston Police Department, in the Research Division analyzing crime patters and trends. In addition, while working for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Criminal History Systems Board (CHSB) in the Field Services Division assisting both State and Federal law enforcement authorities in their use of the national and local criminal records databases.

Mr. Alves is native of Portugal and speaks fluent Portuguese and Spanish. He resides in Providence, where he has lived most of his life. Mr. Alves serves on the Board of Directors for the Samaritans of Rhode Island and the Friends of Rochambeau Library on the East Side of Providence.

Practice Areas
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The law firm of Rui P. Alves, Esq. provides legal representation and services in the following areas of practice:

- Divorce

In Rhode Island, when a divorce petition is filed with the Family Court, one must check off if it will be a nominal (all issues are resolved between the parties) or contested (all or some issues will be disputed). Nominal divorces are usually resolved much quicker leading the parties to obtain a final divorce decree in a matter of months. Contested divorces tend to span much longer and as a result become much more time consuming for the parties and their respective attorneys.

- Criminal Defense

Whether you have been charged with a serious felony or a minor misdemeanor, we treat all our clients the same. From the moment you hire us, first, we will begin to formulate a plan of defense based upon the facts of your case and the controlling law. Second, we provide realistic advice on what you will expect to encounter from the moment you enter the courthouse, until your case is resolved. Our knowledge extends beyond the law to local procedures and day to day courthouse developments.

- Driving Under the Influence

Alcohol driving related offenses can have a large impact both in the short and long term. People obtain information from various sources and most times those sources are not attorneys. If you have been charged with such a crime or violation, an attorney can provide very valuable advice regarding how these charges will impact your life.

From the moment you hire us, first, we will begin to formulate a plan of defense based upon the facts of your case and the controlling law. Second, we provide realistic advice on what you will expect to encounter from the moment you enter the courthouse, until your case is resolved. Our knowledge extends beyond the law to local procedures and day to day courthouse developments.

- Motor Vehicle Accidents

From the moment you contact us, we will work very hard to get the best result for your auto accident. At your free initial consultation, we will meet you at one of our local offices, the hospital or your home. During this meeting, you will learn how we use years of experience to maximize your recovery to fully compensate you for your injury. You may be entitled to pain and suffering, lost wages and other damages.

- Immigration

We are a full service immigration law firm practice, providing assistance with:

* Deportation Defense
* Permanent Residence
* Naturalization
* Citizenship
* Work Permits

Whether you or a loved one are applying to enter this country or naturalization/citizenship, we can help by providing our vast knowledge and experience to reaching your goal.

Our firm handles deportation cases that have arisen from a number of sources. When you or loved one are placed in to situation where you may be excluded from ever reentering this country, it can be a very difficult task. We explore all avenues to make the process most effective for you. Moreover, if your deportation comes from a criminal conviction, are team is experienced in post conviction relief and other legal remedies which may stop a deportation proceeding.