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ATTORNEY ALLISON C. ABILHEIRA

Experienced, Dedicated and Compassionate Attorney

Criminal defense attorney Allison C. (Belknap) Abilheira serves clients with dedication and skill in Warren, Providence, and the surrounding areas in Rhode Island. Attorney Abilheira provides all of her clients with personalized attention and maintains active communication with each client she represents. She strives to protect the rights of the accused and aims to achieve the fairest possible outcome in every case.

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Rhode Island Criminal Defense Attorney

Proudly Serving Providence, Barrington, Bristol, Cranston, Warren, Warwick, and Surrounding Areas in RI

The Rhode Island criminal justice system is not defendant friendly. Pleading guilty, without an experienced criminal defense attorney, who has negotiated a resolution on your behalf, is a grave mistake. Our aggressive criminal defense attorneys can protect you from pleading guilty to a case lacking in evidence and prevent you from taking an offer that is too high for the circumstances. Don’t just plead guilty- let our attorneys review your case today!

In order to get the best possible outcome in court, you’re going to need the assistance of an seasoned attorney with intimate knowledge of just how the RI criminal justice system actually works. At Abilheira Law, our passionate attorneys can be your bridge to justice: guiding and navigating you through the complex Rhode Island court system.

Retaining an Experienced Criminal Defense LawyerS in Providence Makes a Real Difference

Criminal justice statistics point consistently to an undeniable reality: criminal defendants who are represented by lawyers right from the start are typically treated far better than those who are not. The numbers indicate that, if you are represented by a defense attorney:

  • You are more than twice as likely to be released on your own recognizance (without posting money for bail);
  • If you are not released on your own recognizance, you are four times as likely to have your bail reduced;
  • You are less likely to be sentenced to incarceration; and
  • You are more likely to win a dismissal or an acquittal.

What We Can Do for You

If you have been arrested by Rhode Island or federal authorities, or if you are simply under investigation, we can provide you with critical assistance in the following ways:

  • We can protect your rights during police questioning.
  • We can gather admissible evidence in your favor before it disappears.
  • We can build a systematic defense to fight your charges from the outset
  • We can appear with you at your arraignment to secure your release on bail
  • We can represent you throughout the pre-trial phase of the case to advocate for a dismissal of charges or negotiate the best possible resolution.
  • We can defend you at trial.
  • We can expunge your previous criminal record. 

Do not fight criminal charges alone.  Police and prosecutors are experienced and aggressive.  Get yourself an experienced and aggressive Rhode Island criminal defense lawyer now to fight these charges on your behalf.

The Criminal Justice Process in Rhode Island

What happens once my case gets to court in RI?

Arraignment

Your arraignment is your first appearance in court where you will be formally notified of the charges being brought against you. You will then be asked to enter a plea. If you enter a not guilty plea, the judge will set bail, which will vary based on the seriousness of your criminal charge. You will then be given a pre-trial court date. If you enter a guilty or nolo contendere (no contest) plea at arraignment, you will be sentenced and the case will be over. Doing this will rob you of your opportunity to fight the charges against you. It is not in your best interest to enter a plea of guilty or nolo at such an early stage in your case.

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Pre-trial proceedings

The pre-trial phase is arguably the most important part of the criminal process. During pre-trial, your Providence criminal defense lawyer will file for and receive “discovery.” The discovery packet will include the evidence that the prosecution will use against you, like photographs, videos, witness statements, test results, and more. After receiving this critical information, you will have the opportunity to review it with your attorney and discuss a defense strategy. While reviewing discovery, your lawyer may decide to do an independent investigation into the crime you have allegedly committed. Once you and your lawyerAs a criminal defendant, you always have the right to go to trial. In District Court, a trial is held in front of a judge only. In Superior Court, your case is presented before a jury of your peers. You may also decide to waive your right to a jury trial and have you felony case presented only to a judge. During the trial, the prosecution has the burden of proof, which means that they must convince the judge or jury that you are guilty of the alleged crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Your Providence criminal defense attorney will have the opportunity to make an opening statement, cross-examine witnesses, present witnesses in your defense

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Trial

As a criminal defendant, you always have the right to go to trial. In District Court, a trial is held in front of a judge only. In Superior Court, your case is presented before a jury of your peers. You may also decide to waive your right to a jury trial and have you felony case presented only to a judge. During the trial, the prosecution has the burden of proof, which means that they must convince the judge or jury that you are guilty of the alleged crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Your Providence criminal defense attorney will have the opportunity to make an opening statement, cross-examine witnesses, present witnesses in your defense As a criminal defendant, you always have the right to go to trial. In District Court, a trial is held in front of a judge only. In Superior Court, your case is presented before a jury of your peers. You may also decide to waive your right to a jury trial and have you felony case presented only to a judge. During the trial, the prosecution has the burden of proof, which means that they must convince the judge or jury that you are guilty of the alleged crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Your Providence criminal defense attorney will have the opportunity to make an opening statement, cross-examine witnesses, present witnesses in your defense

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Sentencing

If you are found guilty, a sentence will be imposed. This may include a combination of fines, restitution, community service, and counseling. Your sentence may also include a probation sentence, a deferred sentence, a suspended sentence, or a jail sentence. It is essential to hire a highly experienced criminal defense law firm in Providence to represent you, whether you are dealing with a DUI defense case, traffic violations, domestic violence, drug crimes, theft, gun crimes, or any other criminal offense.

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Appeal

After conviction, you may appeal your case if there are grounds to do so. At the end of a district court trial, there is an automatic appeal to the Superior Court, where you will have the opportunity to go to trial before a jury. After a Superior Court jury trial, you may appeal your case to the Rhode Island Supreme Court.

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Do Not Take Chances With Your Future

Call Us Today

When you’ve been arrested in Rhode Island, make no mistake about it, you are in a fight – and the stakes are high. Whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or felony, a conviction can follow you the rest of your life – so don’t be too quick to jump at a plea deal. You have professional police officers and prosecutors trying to convict you of a crime, and you need a knowledgeable, experienced, and professional Providence, Rhode Island criminal defense attorney on your side!

Make it a fair fight by calling us today.
DISMISSED Possession of a Firearm Without a License
DISMISSED Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
DISMISSED Embezzlement
DISMISSED Possession of a Controlled Substance

areas we serve

Types of Cases We Handle

Domestic Violence
DUI
Drug Crimes
Traffic Offenses
Theft
Expungement
Disorderly Conduct
Assault and Battery
Sex Crimes

Why Abilheira Law?

Reasons to Choose

Experienced Our Rhode Island criminal defense attorneys have experience representing clients charged with crimes across RI and have developed strategies that will work for you. Don’t put your freedom in the hands of an inexperienced attorney - too much is at stake. Put our solid track record to work to get you the fierce representation that you deserve.
Aggressive We will aggressively defend your rights both inside and outside of the courtroom. Our Rhode Island criminal defense lawyers use their knowledge of the law, their professional relationships with prosecutors and the judges, and their skilled negotiating tactics to achieve the best possible outcome for all their clients. We are not afraid to put up a fight and take your case to trial. We are in it to win it for you!
Experienced We provide each client with an honest assessment of their case and the expected outcome. In law, there are never any guarantees, and any attorney who promises you an outcome is unethical. We honestly assess your case and spell out the possible outcomes of each potential strategy. We promise to be straightforward with you from the very first meeting to the resolution of your case.
Caring Our Providence criminal lawyers care deeply about our clients and understand the impact a criminal case can have on their lives. We understand that there are always two sides to every story, so we listen carefully to everything you have to tell us. Your concerns are our concerns, and we pledge to fight hard for you because you are more than just a number to us. We truly care about your case and your future.
Available With two criminal defense offices in Providence and Warren, we are available to our clients 24/7 and believe in timely, consistent communication. Let’s face it, being in trouble with the law is an anxious time. The last thing you need is to be even more fearful because you can’t get a hold of your attorney and have no idea of what is happening with your case. We are available and promise to keep you updated every step of the way.
Results Our Rhode Island criminal defense lawyers achieve results for all of our clients based on their unique goals. You can clearly see that our results speak for themselves. In case after case, we achieve great results for our clients, and we will work hard to achieve the best possible outcome for your case, too. Let us put our experience and talent to work for you to achieve the results you deserve.

What Our Clients Say About Us

What Our Clients Say About Us

  • One phone call to Allison was all it took. I had called around and was feeling rather confused and discouraged. No one could help me or give me a satisfactory answer.

    All it took was one call to Allison and she answered all my questions and left me feeling totally confident that my problem would be taken care of. Sure enough, problem solved beyond my expectations. I would highly recommend Allison. Very knowledgeable, she knew exactly what to do, where to go and how to take care of my situation.

    Ian Gilley
  • One phone call to Allison was all it took. I had called around and was feeling rather confused and discouraged. No one could help me or give me a satisfactory answer.

    All it took was one call to Allison and she answered all my questions and left me feeling totally confident that my problem would be taken care of. Sure enough, problem solved beyond my expectations. I would highly recommend Allison. Very knowledgeable, she knew exactly what to do, where to go and how to take care of my situation.

    Ian Gilley

INFORMATIONAL LEGAL BLOG

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What Happens If You Get Arrested for Domestic Violence in Rhode Island?

Arrests for Domestic Violence crimes are very common in Rhode Island. Simple arguments between family members or romantic partners can often escalate quickly and before you know it, the police are involved and someone is arrested.  This blog will explain everything you need to know about Domestic Violence arrests in Rhode Island. What is Categorized as a Domestic Relationship...

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 Commonly Asked Questions Before Attending Court in Rhode Island 

After an arrest in Rhode Island, you will be expected to go to court to face the charges. Many people get nervous going to court, especially when it is for the first time.  Other people feel vulnerable and worried when their legal situations are out of their control.  Luckily, the attorneys at Abilheira Law are here to take some...

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What is Discovery in a Criminal Case in Rhode Island?

If you are arrested and charged with a crime in Rhode Island, you might be wondering, “what evidence does the prosecutor have against me?” The answer to this question comes from a process called “Discovery.” What is Discovery? Discovery is the exchanging of information and evidence by the prosecutor and defense attorney. Discovery allows a defense attorney to analyze,...

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