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John  Larochelle

John Larochelle

Former State Prosecutor Delivers Results for Clients
  • Family Law, Criminal Law, Divorce ...
  • Massachusetts, Rhode Island
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Biography

Attorney John Larochelle is a former Rhode Island State Prosecutor who has represented clients in complex and highly sensitive litigation matters in Rhode Island Family Court and in District, Superior, Supreme and Federal Courts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

In Family court, Attorney Larochelle has litigated many types of cases, including complex divorces, contentious child custody matters, Grandparents Rights, and parenting time disputes. Attorney Larochelle is certified by the Rhode Island Family Court as a Guardian Ad Litem. In 2022, Attorney Larochelle received a Certification in Child and Family Forensic Issues from William James College Center of Excellence for Children, Families, and the Law.

Attorney Larochelle applies his extensive criminal law knowledge and experience as a Rhode Island State Prosecutor and years of criminal defense practice to representing clients in all criminal matters - from serious felonies such as murder, sex crimes, and distribution of controlled substances – to misdemeanor cases such as domestic assaults and traffic-related offenses. He has litigated over one hundred DUI cases.

Attorney Larochelle represents clients in state and federal courts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He is also admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States of America. In his most recent case before the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, he prevailed in a complex litigation appeal.

Attorney Larochelle has written and argued well-known cases before the Rhode Island Supreme Court, including prevailing against then-Attorney General (now U.S. Senator) Sheldon Whitehouse in the seminal case of Diane S. Cronan ex rel. State v. John J. Cronan 774 A.2d 866. Attorney Larochelle has also written and argued often-cited cases such as State v. Paull and State v. Chalk.

Call 401-421-4407 to discuss your legal matter and to get Attorney Larochelle working for you today.

Practice Areas
Family Law
Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
Criminal Law
Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
Divorce
Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
DUI & DWI
Juvenile Law
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
Appeals & Appellate
Civil Appeals, Federal Appeals
Traffic Tickets
Suspended License
Fees
  • Free Consultation
    Call me for a free consultation today. 401-421-4407
  • Credit Cards Accepted
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    I litigate Restraining Orders. I enjoy prosecuting Restraining Orders on behalf of the plaintiff and successfully defending Restraining Orders on behalf of the defendant.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers
ID Number: 645649
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Rhode Island
Rhode Island Bar Association
ID Number: 5237
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1st Circuit
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U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
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U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island
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U.S. Supreme Court
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Languages
  • English
  • Spanish
Professional Experience
Attorney
Larochelle Law
- Current
State Prosecutor - Special Assistant Attorney General
Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General
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Education
Suffolk University Law School
J.D. (1994) | Law
Honors: cum laude
Suffolk University Law School Logo
University of Rhode Island
B.S. (1991) | Finance
Honors: High Honors
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University of Rhode Island
B.A. (1991) | Economics
Honors: High Honors
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Awards
AV Preeminent Peer Rating
Martindale-Hubbell
Client Champion - PLATINUM
Martindale-Hubbell
10.0 Superb Rating
Avvo
Client's Choice Award
Avvo
2019-2021
Best DUI Lawyers in Providence
Expertise.com
Best Divorce Lawyers in Pawtucket
Expertise.com
10 Best Attorney
American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
Professional Associations
American Inns of Court
Member
Current
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Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
Member
Current
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Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Member
Current
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Rhode Island Bar Association
Member
- Current
Activities: Family Court Bench Bar Committee; Technology in the Practice Committee & E-Filing Working Group
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Publications
Articles & Publications
Clearing the Record: How to Seal Criminal Records and Expunge Criminal Convictions in Rhode Island
Rhode Island Bar Journal
A Trustees Handbook
Suffolk University Law School Center for Advanced Legal Studies
Speaking Engagements
Evidence in Family Law, Digital and Social Media Evidence Seminar Presentation
Recent Expungement Law Updates, Rhode Island Bar Association
Clearing the Record: Expungements and Sealings, Rhode Island Bar Association
Thriving in the Competitive Environments of Poker and Law, Rhode Island Quarterly Meeting
Certifications
Certificate in Child and Family Forensic Issues
Center of Excellence for Children, Families and the Law, William James College
Guardian Ad Litem
Rhode Island Family Court
Websites & Blogs
Website
Larochelle Law
Legal Answers
7 Questions Answered
Q. If I haven’t been formally charged I believe I am innocent and Can prove it can I file for a review and how
A: Good afternoon,

Yes, you may request a review of the evidence. I strongly recommend against you submitting anything or communicating directly with any police agency. Your best course of action is to hire an attorney who is experienced in criminal defense.

On two recent occasions, I was able to deliver to the police agency who was considering charging my client enough evidence in the client’s favor to stop the police from bringing charges. It is a delicate process that must give great weight to not exposing the client to greater culpability.

Simply giving your side of the story to the police is almost certainly not going to prevent them from charging you. In fact, in nearly every situation, giving the police more facts does more harm than good. In some situations, the police will be able to charge you directly because of the new information they learn from you.

If the charges are for a capital offense, a grand jury will have to weigh the facts and decide whether levying criminal charges is fair. Otherwise, it will be up to the investigating police agency or the prosecuting agency (e.g., the Office of the Attorney General) to bring charges. The charging entity will consider any evidence presented to them.

Do not go it alone. Make the investment in getting excellent legal representation before communicating with any law enforcement agency.

Best of luck to you.
... Read More
Q. Does the noncustodial parent have to meet the person the other parent is dating before the child can be around them?
A: The is no law or automatic mandate that requires the noncustodial parent to meet the custodial parent’s romantic interest before the child is permitted to be in the presence of the romantic interest. Sometimes, the details regarding when children will meet a romantic interest of a parent are specified in a Marital Settlement Agreement or a court order.

If the romantic interest and child meeting is not specified anywhere, there is no specific requirement. The court will judge a parent’s actions by whether those actions were in the child’s best interest and whether the parent fulfilled his or her obligations required in accordance with their custodial parenting status (joint legal custody versus sole legal custody). ... Read More
Q. Can I install a camera in my bedroom
A: Good afternoon, Fearful of Threats,

Since you are being permitted to live in the house of your father and his wife, it is they and not you who may decided what type of security cameras are permitted in their home. The room where you sleep is their room; they are just letting you sleep there.

You have no right to a security camera in their house, even in the room in which you are sleeping.
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Annotations
United States v. Ackerly
US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
State v. Querido
Rhode Island Supreme Court
View More Annotations
Contact & Map
Larochelle Law
1 Turks Head Place, Suite 1440
Providence, RI 02903
Telephone: (401) 421-4407
Cell: (401) 400-2777
Fax: (401) 421-1442
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours (Today)
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours
Notice: I will meet with you as early as 6:15 am. I will meet you in person or through a video conference.