Chief Justice Nominates Three to Traffic Tribunal
Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul A. Suttell submitted three new magistrate nominations to the Rhode Island Senate.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul A. Suttell has nominated three individuals to serve as magistrates on the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal. The appointments now move to the state Senate for the required confirmation process.
Why it matters
The Traffic Tribunal plays a critical role in the state's legal system by presiding over civil traffic offenses, breathalyzer refusals, and violations involving the Department of Environmental Management.
Chief Justice Paul A. Suttell officially submitted the 3 nominations to the state Senate on October 30, 2026. The tribunal currently shares concurrent jurisdiction with municipal courts for lesser traffic violations.
The players
Paul A. Suttell
He serves as the Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court and oversees the appointment process for state magistrates.
David Lapatin
He currently serves as a police major and the commanding officer for the investigative division of the Providence Police Department.
Eric Batista
He serves as an assistant attorney general and has acted as the chief of the Newport County Bureau since 2023.
Nicole McCarty
She serves as the chief legal counsel for Chris Blazejewski, the Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives.
Chris Blazejewski
He is the Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives and employs Nicole McCarty as his chief legal counsel.
The details
The nominees include Providence Police Major David Lapatin, Assistant Attorney General Eric Batista, and House Speaker Chris Blazejewski's chief legal counsel, Nicole McCarty. The Tribunal handles a diverse array of administrative and civil matters across the state.
Timeline
October 30, 2026: The Chief Justice formally transmitted the nominations to the Senate.
2023: Eric Batista was appointed to serve as the chief of the Newport County Bureau.
Legal Context
These nominations follow the established legal frameworks governing the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal enabling legislation. The process ensures that the tribunal maintains necessary staffing levels to exercise its jurisdiction over traffic offenses.
The confirmation of these magistrates will determine who adjudicates traffic and environmental cases in the state. Residents with outstanding traffic or environmental citations may see case assignments shifted once the Senate completes the confirmation process.
The takeaway
The Senate will now review these candidates to ensure the tribunal remains fully operational for civil traffic cases. Residents should monitor the state legislative calendar for updates on upcoming confirmation hearings.
Further reading
For more on the state's judicial appointment process, visit the Rhode Island Criminal Justice section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by USA TODAY.
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