§ 12-28-4.3 - Pretrial conferences – Misdemeanors in district court. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 12-28-4.3

   § 12-28-4.3  Pretrial conferences –Misdemeanors in district court. – (a) In all misdemeanor cases heard before the district court, the victim of thealleged criminal offense shall be afforded the opportunity to address the courtduring the pretrial conference, unless the judge determines, based on the factsof the particular case, that the presence of the victim would substantiallyinterfere with the court's ability to administer justice. At the pretrialconference, the victim shall be afforded the opportunity to explain the impactwhich the defendant's criminal conduct has had upon the victim and to commenton the proposed disposition of the case.

   (b) For the purposes of this section, "victim" is one who hassustained personal injury or loss of property directly attributable to thecriminal conduct with which the defendant has been charged.