Paul Suttell
| Paul Suttell | |
| Current Court Information: | |
| Rhode Island Supreme Court | |
| Title: | Chief Justice |
| Service: | |
| Appointed by: | Donald Carcieri |
| Active: | 1990 - present |
| Chief: | 2009 - present |
| Past post: | Rhode Island Family Court |
| Past term: | 1990 - 2003 |
| Past position: | Judge |
| Personal History | |
| Born: | January 10, 1949 |
| Party: | Republican |
| Undergraduate: | Northwestern University, 1971 |
| Law School: | Suffolk University Law School, 1976 |
Contents |
Paul Suttell is the chief justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court. Suttell was sworn in on July 9, 2003, after Governor Donald Carcieri appointed him to the court.[1] In 2009, Carcieri nominated Suttell for the post of chief justice. Suttell was unanimously confirmed by the Senate. [2][3]
The justices of the Rhode Island Supreme Court hold office for life.
Education
Suttell received his B.A. from Northwestern University in 1971 and in 1976, his J.D. from the Suffolk University Law School.[4]
Career
After graduating from law school, Suttell worked with the Newport County Convention and Visitors Bureau. From 1979 to 1982, he served Legal Counsel to the House Minority Leader. Next, he became a State Representative in the Rhode Island House of Representatives. He served in this capacity for seven years, and in 1988, was a delegate to the Republican National Convention. In 1990, he joined the Rhode Island Family Court, where he served until joining the Rhode Island Supreme Court in 2003.[5]
Awards and Associations
- Member, American Academy of Adoption Attorneys
- Moderator and Trustee, Little Compton United Congregational Church
- Director, Little Compton Historical Society [5]
Notable rulings
Breathalyzer penalties
In June 2008 the Supreme Court ruled that stronger penalties approved in 2006 apply to motorists who refuse to take Breathalyzer tests, according to The Providence Journal's Edward Fitzpatrick. The court rejected the argument that new penalties were wiped out when Governor Carcieri signed a budget bill containing the law’s old language. Justice Paul A. Suttell began the court’s 13-page opinion with a quote: "If you like laws and sausage, you should never watch either one being made." [6]
External links
- Rhode Island Secretary of State, Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief Justice, Paul A. Suttell
- Project Vote Smart, Chief Justice Paul A. Suttell (RI)
- Providence Journal, "Federal judge in NH dismisses Keven McKenna's lawsuit against RI chief justice," October 4, 2012
- Office of the Governor, Press Releases, "Carcieri Swears in Paul Suttell as Supreme Court Justice", July 9, 2003
References
- ↑ Press Release "Carcieri Swears in Paul Suttell as Supreme Court Justice" July 9, 2003
- ↑ The Providence Journal "Suttell confirmed as RI's chief justice" June 25, 2009
- ↑ Pawtucket Times "Suttell sworn in as chief justice" July 17, 2009
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, Chief Justice Paul A. Suttell (RI)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Rhode Island Secretary of State, Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief Justice, Paul A. Suttell
- ↑ The Providence Journal, "High court: Stiffer penalties apply to breath-test refusals", June 26, 2008
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| Current |
Maureen McKenna Goldberg • Francis Flaherty • Paul Suttell • William Robinson • Gilbert V. Indeglia • | ||
| Former | Frank Williams • | ||
