Law 401

Continuing Law 401's season-long exploration of civics, hosts MDB and Nicole sit down with David Cicilline, President and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation. They discuss what it means to be an engaged citizen. Drawing on Cicilline’s experience as a state rep, Mayor of Providence, member of Congress, and civic leader, he reflects on public service, civic participation and trust in institutions. Join us for a conversation about identity, representation, and the many ways Rhode Islanders can make a difference in their communities.
Resources
David Cicilline
https://rifoundation.org/about/team
Community Foundations for Civic Health
https://cfleads.org/civic-health/
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The information provided is for general informational purposes only and may not apply to individual situations; listeners are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel before acting on any information discussed.

Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse joins us for a conversation on Citizens United v. FEC, dark money, Super PACs, and money’s influence on elections. Senator Whitehouse explains how the Supreme Court’s decision transformed campaign finance, the role of outside groups in molding the courts, and what reforms like transparency laws and the DISCLOSE Act could change going forward.
Resources
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/
Citizens United v. FEC
https://www.fec.gov/legal-resources/court-cases/citizens-united-v-fec/
DISCLOSE Act 
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/512
 
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The information provided is for general informational purposes only and may not apply to individual situations; listeners are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel before acting on any information discussed.

Are Flock Cameras Protecting Rhode Island or Invading Privacy?Flock cameras are at the center of this episode of Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded. MDB and Nicoleexplore how license plate reader surveillance technology is being used across Rhode Island. Joined byProfessor David Lambert of Roger Williams University, they discuss who has access to the data, how it’sused in investigations, and whether it really improves public safety. They cover concerns about privacy,oversight, and potential misuse, offering key considerations for residents and local officials.ResourcesDavid Lambert, Assistant Dean of the School of Justice Studies and Director of the Justice SystemTraining and Research Institute at Roger Williams Universityhttps://www.rwu.edu/academics/schools-and-colleges/sjs/faculty/david-lambertAutomated License Plate Readers Bill H077chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8077.pdf
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MDB and Nicole welcome back Senator Tiara Mack to discuss what the Rhode Island Voting Rights Act means for minority voters, and why the debate is happening now.
Senator Mack breaks down the legal, political, and historical issues behind the State House bill aimed at protecting voters from discrimination. You’ll also learn about the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a landmark federal law that reduced racial disparities in voter turnout. And how the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Louisiana v. Callais affects key voting rights protections.
Resources
Senator Tiara Mack
https://www.rilegislature.gov/senators/mack/Pages/Biography.aspx
RI Voting Rights Act
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/SenateText26/S3143.pdf
Louisiana v. Callais
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-109_21o3.pdf
Shelby Co. v. Holder
https://www.lawyerscommittee.org/project/shelby-co-v-holder/
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The information provided is for general informational purposes only and may not apply to individual situations; listeners are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel before acting on any information discussed.

Rhode Island marriage law, prenups, postnuptial agreements and divorce are all up for discussion in this episode. Jolee E. Vacchi, Esq., known as “The Compassionate Divorce Attorney,” explains the legal side of relationships. Inspired by rumors about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s possible Rhode Island wedding, Jolee explores how marriage laws affect everyone, from celebrities to Rhode Islanders. If you’re curious about Rhode Island family law, this episode offers an entertaining yet compassionate look on the topic.
Resources
Attorney Jolee E. Vacchi
https://foundationsfamilylaw.com/about/
Birth, Death, and Marriage Records
https://health.ri.gov/vital-records
WPRI 12+ free TV app 
Stream bite-size episodes of Law 401 anytime on WPRI 12+ 
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The information provided is for general informational purposes only and may not apply to individual situations; listeners are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel before acting on any information discussed.

Joining the podcast is Rhode Island Congressman Gabe Amo to discuss the growing fight to protect consumers from online scams. Congressman Amo walks us through how scammers are using AI to become more sophisticated, how the law is trying to keep pace, and what legal reforms are required to protect consumers. The conversation also covers the BETS OFF Act, focused on preventing those with inside knowledge from profiting through bets on war, political violence, and national tragedy.
Congressman Gabe Amo 
https://amo.house.gov/about
BETS OFF Act
https://amo.house.gov/press-release/amo-murphy-casar-ansari-introduce-bicameral-bill-to-ban-prediction-markets-from-enabling-officials-to-bet-on-and-profit-off-war
Legislation Combating Scams
https://amo.house.gov/press-release/amo-introduces-bipartisan-legislative-package-to-protect-consumers-from-surging-scams-and-financial-fraudsters
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Disclaimer: The information provided is for general informational purposes only and may not apply to individual situations; listeners are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel before acting on any information discussed.

In this episode, we discuss what abortion and contraception laws mean for families across Rhode Island. Joined by Senator Dawn Euer, we look at her efforts to ensure no-cost contraceptives continue to be covered by insurers in Rhode Island, despite what happens on the federal level. From crisis pregnancy centers to insurance gaps and new contraception legislation, this conversation uncovers how policy decisions impact real-world reproductive freedom. We also touch on Senator Euer’s efforts to support media literacy as part of civic education in Rhode Island schools.
 
References
RI Senator Dawn Euer
https://www.rilegislature.gov/senators/euer/Pages/Biography.aspx
Contraceptive Coverage Bill S2254
https://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/RIL.PressRelease.ListStructure/Forms/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=376323
Media Literacy Bill S0638
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText25/SenateText25/S0638.pdf
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/19-1392_6j37.pdf
WPRI 12+ free TV app 
Stream bite-size episodes of Law 401 anytime on WPRI 12+  https://www.wpri.com/wpri-12-tv-app/ 
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and may not apply to individual situations; listeners are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel before acting on any information discussed.

Rhode Island voting rights are the focus of this week’s episode, as we unpack how elections really work — from voter registration and ID requirements to the officials and systems that run the process behind the scenes. Hosts Michael and Nicole sit down with Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore to discuss the structure of election administration, the balance of state and federal power, and what “nationalizing elections” really means. If you’ve ever wondered who controls your vote and how secure and accessible the system is, this will give you the clarity every voter should have.
 
Resources
Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore
https://www.sos.ri.gov/about-us
Rhode Island Voter Information Center
https://vote.sos.ri.gov/
“Federal judge dismisses DOJ lawsuit seeking personal details about Rhode Island voters,” PBS News
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/federal-judge-dismisses-doj-lawsuit-seeking-personal-details-about-rhode-island-voters
WPRI 12+ free TV app Stream bite-size episodes of Law 401 anytime on WPRI 12+ https://www.wpri.com/wpri-12-tv-app/
 
Disclaimer: The information provided is for general informational purposes only and may not apply to individual situations; listeners are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel before acting on any information discussed.

Law school admissions: This conversation will change how you think about getting in. Join us for step-by-step guidance through the entire admissions journey. Our guest is Tracy L. Simmons, MDB’s personal friend, author of Law School For Dummies (2nd Edition), and Associate Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs at Howard University School of Law.
With nearly 30 years of experience in law school admissions, student affairs, and financial aid, Tracy has led thousands of hopeful lawyers through the entire process. Now, this conversation will help you do the same, covering:
How to choose the right law school for you… beyond rankings
Breaking into law school as a first-gen or non-traditional applicant
What admissions really look for in essays (the “secret sauce”)
Why the LSAT still matters and how it can shape your options
How financial aid is changing and what it means to you
 
Resources
Tracy L. Simmons
https://profiles.howard.edu/tracy-simmons
Law for School for Dummies, 2nd Edition
https://www.dummies.com/book/academics-the-arts/law/general-law/law-school-for-dummies-282348/
WPRI 12+ free TV app 
Stream bite-size episodes of Law 401 anytime on WPRI 12+  https://www.wpri.com/wpri-12-tv-app/ 
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and may not apply to individual situations; listeners are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel before acting on any information discussed.

In this episode, we examine grand juries in Rhode Island, institutions that play a powerful role in Rhode Island’s criminal justice system. When cases “go to the grand jury,” what really happens behind closed doors, and how does that influence public trust?
Joined by Professor Shannon Heery of RWU School of Law, we discuss how grand juries work, why they matter, and whether the system is living up to its purpose.
In this episode:
3:00 Why do grand juries exist and what role are they meant to play?3:11  How federal and state grand juries differ in structure.8:00  Breaking down the core purpose behind a grand jury.11:12  What “probable cause” really means in practice.14:38  The Fifth Amendment and its connection to grand jury proceedings.15:35  What it’s actually like to serve on a grand jury.23:15 Why grand juries often become the focus of news coverage.30:27  The most common criticisms surrounding grand juries.36:18  Which states rely most heavily on grand juries.44:26  The biggest misconceptions on how grand juries work.
Resources
Professor Shannon Heery
https://law.rwu.edu/faculty/shannon-heery
What is a grand jury? DOJ
https://www.justice.gov/jm/jm-9-11000-grand-jury
“Understanding the grand jury ruling on Michael Brown's death,” PBS NewsHour
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/understanding-grand-jury-ruling-michael-browns-death
WPRI 12+ free TV app 
Stream bite-size episodes of Law 401 anytime on WPRI 12+ 
https://www.wpri.com/wpri-12-tv-app/ 
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and may not apply to individual situations; listeners are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel before acting on any information discussed.