
John Larochelle
Former State Prosecutor Delivers Results for Clients
Attorney John Larochelle is a former Rhode Island State Prosecutor who has represented clients in complex and highly sensitive litigation matters in Rhode Island Family Court and in District, Superior, Supreme and Federal Courts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
In Family court, Attorney Larochelle has litigated many types of cases, including complex divorces, contentious child custody matters, Grandparents Rights, and parenting time disputes. Attorney Larochelle is certified by the Rhode Island Family Court as a Guardian Ad Litem. In 2022, Attorney Larochelle received a Certification in Child and Family Forensic Issues from William James College Center of Excellence for Children, Families, and the Law.
Attorney Larochelle applies his extensive criminal law knowledge and experience as a Rhode Island State Prosecutor and years of criminal defense practice to representing clients in all criminal matters - from serious felonies such as murder, sex crimes, and distribution of controlled substances – to misdemeanor cases such as domestic assaults and traffic-related offenses. He has litigated over one hundred DUI cases.
Attorney Larochelle represents clients in state and federal courts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He is also admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States of America. In his most recent case before the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, he prevailed in a complex litigation appeal.
Attorney Larochelle has written and argued well-known cases before the Rhode Island Supreme Court, including prevailing against then-Attorney General (now U.S. Senator) Sheldon Whitehouse in the seminal case of Diane S. Cronan ex rel. State v. John J. Cronan 774 A.2d 866. Attorney Larochelle has also written and argued often-cited cases such as State v. Paull and State v. Chalk.
Call 401-421-4407 to discuss your legal matter and to get Attorney Larochelle working for you today.
- Family Law
- Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
- Divorce
- Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
- DUI & DWI
- Juvenile Law
- Domestic Violence
- Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
- Appeals & Appellate
- Civil Appeals, Federal Appeals
- Traffic Tickets
- Suspended License
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Free Consultation
Call me for a free consultation today. 401-421-4407 - Credit Cards Accepted
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Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
I litigate Restraining Orders. I enjoy prosecuting Restraining Orders on behalf of the plaintiff and successfully defending Restraining Orders on behalf of the defendant.
- Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers
- ID Number: 645649
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- Rhode Island
- Rhode Island Bar Association
- ID Number: 5237
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- 1st Circuit
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- U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
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- U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island
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- U.S. Supreme Court
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- English
- Spanish
- Attorney
- Larochelle Law
- - Current
- State Prosecutor - Special Assistant Attorney General
- Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General
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- Suffolk University Law School
- J.D. (1994) | Law
- Honors: cum laude
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- University of Rhode Island
- B.S. (1991) | Finance
- Honors: High Honors
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- University of Rhode Island
- B.A. (1991) | Economics
- Honors: High Honors
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- AV Preeminent Peer Rating
- Martindale-Hubbell
- Client Champion - PLATINUM
- Martindale-Hubbell
- 10.0 Superb Rating
- Avvo
- Client's Choice Award
- Avvo
- 2019-2021
- Best DUI Lawyers in Providence
- Expertise.com
- American Inns of Court
- Member
- Current
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- Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
- Member
- Current
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- Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Member
- Current
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- Rhode Island Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
- Activities: Family Court Bench Bar Committee; Technology in the Practice Committee & E-Filing Working Group
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- Clearing the Record: How to Seal Criminal Records and Expunge Criminal Convictions in Rhode Island
- Rhode Island Bar Journal
- A Trustees Handbook
- Suffolk University Law School Center for Advanced Legal Studies
- Evidence in Family Law, Digital and Social Media Evidence Seminar Presentation
- Recent Expungement Law Updates, Rhode Island Bar Association
- Clearing the Record: Expungements and Sealings, Rhode Island Bar Association
- Thriving in the Competitive Environments of Poker and Law, Rhode Island Quarterly Meeting
- Certificate in Child and Family Forensic Issues
- Center of Excellence for Children, Families and the Law, William James College
- Guardian Ad Litem
- Rhode Island Family Court
- Website
- Larochelle Law
- Q. How can I restore my gun rights in Rhode Island after a felony conviction?
- A: The answer to your question is complicated and uncertain.
In Rhode Island, whether a resident with an expunged felony conviction can legally possess a firearm depends on both state and federal law, as well as the specifics of the expungement.
Rhode Island State Law
• Expungement Effect: Under Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL) § 12-1.3-3(c), once a felony conviction is expunged, the record is sealed, and the person is generally restored certain civil rights. The statute states that an expunged record "shall not disqualify a person, in any application for employment or otherwise, except as provided by law." This implies that, for state purposes, an expunged conviction may not ... Read More
- Q. Divorce and entitlement to book profits after marriage in RI.
- A: Rhode Island is an equitable distribution state, meaning marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally upon divorce. Under § 15-5-16.1(a), the Family Court assigns property based on factors such as:
• Length of the marriage (33 years here, a long-term marriage).
• Contributions of each spouse (financial and non-financial).
• Conduct during the marriage.
• Each party’s earning capacity, health, and needs.
Marital Property Definition: Property acquired during the marriage is presumed marital unless proven separate (e.g., via inheritance or pre-marriage ownership). Intellectual property, like your books, falls under this framework. Your books, as intellectual ... Read More
- Q. If I haven’t been formally charged I believe I am innocent and Can prove it can I file for a review and how
- A: Good afternoon,
Yes, you may request a review of the evidence. I strongly recommend against you submitting anything or communicating directly with any police agency. Your best course of action is to hire an attorney who is experienced in criminal defense.
On two recent occasions, I was able to deliver to the police agency who was considering charging my client enough evidence in the client’s favor to stop the police from bringing charges. It is a delicate process that must give great weight to not exposing the client to greater culpability.
Simply giving your side of the story to the police is almost certainly not going to prevent them from charging you. In fact, in nearly every ... Read More
- United States v. Ackerly
- US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- State v. Querido
- Rhode Island Supreme Court