Paul Suttell

From Judgepedia

Paul Suttell (January 10, 1949) is the chief justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court. In 2003, Republican Governor Donald Carcieri appointed Suttell to the Supreme Court. Suttell was sworn in on July 9th of that year^[1]. In 2009, Carcieri nominated Suttell for the post of chief justice. Suttell was approved as chief justice by the Senate 37 - 0. ^{[2] [3]}

The justices of the Rhode Island Supreme Court hold office for life.

Education

Justice Suttell is a 1976 graduate of Suffolk University Law School and a 1971 graduate of Northwestern University. ^[4]

Career

Justice Suttell was elected as State Representative, serving from 1983 to 1990 and as Deputy Minority Leader from 1985 to 1990. He was a Delegate to Republican National Convention in 1988. Suttell was appointed as an Associate Justice, of the Rhode Island Family Court, serving from 1990 to 2003. He served as Director of the Rhode Island Agricultural Lands Preservation and as Legal Counsel to House Minority Leader from 1979 to 1982. He was also active in the Newport County Convention and Visitors Bureau. ^[4]

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." ^[5]

References

The Rhode Island Project on Judgepedia

Supreme Court Federal district for Rhode Island Federal court of appeal