Opinion ID: 1991315
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Sufficiency of Conspiracy Conviction

Text: Next, defendant contends that his two convictions for conspiracy cannot stand. The defendant argues that because Mercier entered a plea of nolo contender to a single count of conspiracy, defendant cannot be convicted of two conspiracies. There is no indication, however, that defendant raised this issue before the trial justice. This Court's long-standing raise-or-waive rule provides that if an issue is not raised below, it cannot be asserted for the first time on appeal. State v. Texter, 896 A.2d 40, 43 (R.I.2006); see also State v. Russell, 890 A.2d 453, 462 (R.I.2006). Although this Court has, on occasion, recognized an exception to this rule with respect to a defendant's constitutional rights, it is a narrow exception that does not apply to the present facts. See Texter, 896 A.2d at 43. Having determined that this issue is not properly before us, we decline to entertain it.