State v. Roussell

OPINION

The state has invoked the community-caretaking functions of police officers to justify a state trooper’s opening of the defendant’s car door that led to her conviction in this case. The defendant, Louise Roussell, appeals from a judgment of conviction following a jury trial in Superior Court. The jury found her guilty of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol in violation of G.L.1956 § 31-27-2. A single justice of this Court directed the defendant to show cause why the issues raised in her appeal should not be summarily decided. Because she has not done so, we proceed…