Law 401

In this episode of Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded, hosts Nicole and Michael dive deep into the high-profile Massachusetts trial of Lindsay Clancy, who allegedly killed her three children while suffering from severe mental illness. Joining the conversation is Roger Williams University School of Law criminal law professor and former public defender Shannon Heery.
 
Together, they decode the legal mechanics behind the "insanity defense," the standards of criminal responsibility in Massachusetts, and why this case resulted in a mistrial with an 11-to-1 jury vote.
In this episode, we cover:
Lack of Criminal Responsibility: What the legal standard means under Massachusetts law and who carries the burden of proof.
Planning vs. Psychosis: Can someone plan an act and still lack criminal responsibility under the law?
Archaic Legal Terminology: Why the law continues to use phrases like "mental disease or defect".
The Role of Expert Witnesses: How 12 jurors weigh conflicting psychiatric testimony to resolve questions of fact.
Andrea Yates & Historical Context: Comparing public perception, medical awareness, and legal responses from 2001 to 2026.
Jury Deliberations & Holdouts: What happens when a jury is deadlocked 11 to 1, and when a judge can—or cannot—remove a juror.
What Happens Next? Pre-trial motions, directed verdict arguments, and the realistic challenges of finding an impartial jury for a retrial.

What happens when a clever joke collides with federal trademark law? In this episode of Law 401, hosts Nicole and Michael explore a unique Rhode Island legal dispute involving country music icon Dolly Parton and a local food truck company called The Perky Turkey, which attempted to trademark the name "Polly Darton" for a turkey restaurant.   Joined by guest attorney and legal scholar Luke Blackadar, Deputy Director of the Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston and entertainment law professor, we unpack the mechanics of trademark rights, brand dilution, and First Amendment protections for parody.   
In this episode, we cover:
What is a Trademark? From brand names and logos to non-conventional "trade dress" like Pizza Hut roofs.   
Common Law vs. Federal Registration: Why trademark rights come from use rather than filing paperwork.   
Dolly Parton vs. Polly Darton: How Dolly’s legal team opposed the trademark application before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB).   
The DuPont Factors: How courts and the USPTO decide if two brand names are confusingly similar.   
Parody vs. Commercial Use: Why making a joke on Saturday Night Live is legally different from putting a celebrity-pun name on a food truck or merchandise.   
Trademark Clearance Searches: Practical steps small businesses must take before picking a brand name.   
Whether you’re a creative entrepreneur, small business owner, or country music fan, tune in to learn how intellectual property law works in the real world!

Who has the right to access Rhode Island’s shoreline, and what happens when public access points are difficult to find or reach?
On this episode of the LAW 401 Podcast, hosts Nicole and Michael speak with Kate McCarthy, a community organizer with Save The Bay, about Rhode Island’s public shoreline access laws and the state’s 236 designated rights of way.
This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes and does not provide legal advice.

What can the story of Providence mob boss Luigi “Baby Shacks” Manocchio reveal about organized crime and the law in Rhode Island?
On this episode of the LAW 401 Podcast, WPRI investigative reporter Tim White joins hosts Nicole and Michael to discuss Manocchio’s life, his rise in the New England Mafia and the legal cases that shaped his story. White produced The Last Don of Providence, an in-depth look at Manocchio and the rise and decline of organized crime in New England.
 
This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes and does not provide legal advice.

What’s real and what’s not when it comes to Rhode Island law and The Real Housewives of Rhode Island? On this episode of the LAW 401 Podcast, Bekah Berger, co-host of the morning show on 92 PRO-FM and host of Real Talk Rhody, joins the conversation to break down RHORI, reality TV, and the legal questions behind the drama.
The episode explores Rhode Island laws and real-life legal questions raised by the show, including no-siren ordinances, while also looking at Rhode Island culture, geography and the story of how The Real Housewives of Rhode Island came to the Ocean State. It’s a conversation about where reality TV meets Rhode Island law — and what’s actually real.
This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes and does not provide legal advice.

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/
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 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
 
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.

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
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;

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/
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 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+ 
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.