State v. Sickles

OPINION

MURRAY, Justice.

This is an appeal challenging the defendant’s 1982 misdemeanor conviction in the Superior Court of “malicious injury to property.” The sole question presented by this appeal is whether the Superior Court had original jurisdiction over the misdemeanor offense.

In 1981, a secret indictment was returned against defendant Charles William Sickles charging a violation of G.L.1956 (1981 Reenactment) § 11-44-1, which prohibits the willful and malicious injury to property and provides for punishment by a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment not exceeding one year. No prior…