No Right of Allocution for Probation Violators

The Rhode Island Supreme Court has clarified that Probation Violators do not have a right to allocution when presented on violation of probation hearings unless facing consecutive sentences.  The Court clarified its position from an earlier Opinion that the courts should probably allow allocutions in an effort to provide informed sentencing.  The Court remained steadfast that only when there is consecutive sentencing is the sentencing court required to provide the right of allocution.  See State of RI v. Yoneiry Delarosa, No. 11-12 (March 29, 2012) 2011-12-C.A.