Opinion ID: 2329237
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Effect of State v. Martini

Text: Pursuant to our recent decision in State v. Martini, 860 A.2d 689 (R.I.2004), it is clear that defendant's felony conviction under § 12-29-5 must be vacated, and a sentence should be imposed in accordance with the jury's finding of guilt on the two lesser-included misdemeanor counts of violating the February 27, 2002 no-contact order. [6] In Martini, this Court noted that the crime of disorderly conduct is statutorily classified as a petty misdemeanor (as distinguished from a misdemeanor) under Rhode Island law (G.L.1956 § 11-45-1) and then proceeded to hold that a conviction for disorderly conduct is not subject to the enhancement provisions contained in § 12-29-5 (the Domestic Violence Prevention Act). Martini, 860 A.2d at 692. The defendant's sentence in this case was based on a finding that he was a third-time offender for purposes of the provisions of § 12-29-5. One of the previous offenses that supported this finding was his plea of nolo contendere on February 27, 2002, to a charge of domestic disorderly conduct. In view of our holding in Martini, however, defendant's conviction for domestic disorderly conduct cannot be a basis for subjecting him to a felony conviction pursuant to § 12-29-5. Therefore, the conviction must be vacated, and the case must be remanded for entry of judgments of conviction for the lesser included misdemeanor offenses of twice violating the February 27, 2002 no-contact order.