Opinion ID: 2301994
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Right to Allocution

Text: Lastly, Delarosa argues that the hearing justice erred in failing to allow him or his defense counsel the opportunity to address the court prior to sentencing. Delarosa acknowledges on appeal that, except where consecutive sentences are involved, allocution is generally not required in a violation proceeding. He points out, however, that this Court has indicated that the better practice is to allow it. See State v. Ratchford, 732 A.2d 120, 123 (R.I.1999). While consecutive sentences were not imposed in this case, Delarosa nevertheless argues that this Court should establish a new rule by applying the right of allocution to all probation violation cases. In countering, the state contends that Delarosa was not entitled to allocution in this context under existing authority. The state further argues that Delarosa waived this issue because he never requested the opportunity to speak nor asked the court to create a new rule. We have previously held that in violation hearings, the better practice is to permit counsel to address the court concerning any factors which may assist the court in fashioning a sentence that `as to the court may seem just and proper.' Ratchford, 732 A.2d at 123 (quoting G.L. 1956 § 12-19-9). However, in State v. Jones, 969 A.2d 676 (R.I.2009), this Court also stated that allocution was not required prior to sentencing in a probation-violation case in which consecutive sentences were not imposed or a sentence on more than one case was not levied. Id. at 682; see also State v. Nania, 786 A.2d 1066, 1069 (R.I.2001). The hearing justice correctly followed the holdings set forth in Ratchford and Jones, and we decline to accept Delarosa's invitation to reconsider these well-reasoned opinions. [17] After careful review, we conclude that reasonably satisfactory evidence existed to support the hearing justice's finding that the defendant violated the terms and conditions of his probation. Therefore, it is our opinion that the hearing justice acted neither arbitrarily nor capriciously when she adjudicated the defendant a probation-violator based on the record before her.