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Rhode Island Criminal Defense Attorney

S. JOSHUA MACKTAZ, Esquire

A Former Rhode Island State Prosecutor

with a concentration in Criminal Defense and Personal Injury Law

Rhode Island Marijuana Attorney Interviewed by Lawyers Weekly

A quick word with ... S. Joshua Macktaz

Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly

Published: September 10, 2009

Printed: September 14, 2009 issue

By Noah Schaffer

Age: 41

Graduated: Suffolk University Law School (1993)

Bar admission: 1993

Job: Sole practitioner, Providence

Practice area: Criminal defense, including marijuana crimes

A former special assistant attorney general, S. Joshua Macktaz has handled more than a thousand cases involving misdemeanor and felony marijuana possession, sale and distribution. In 1997, he left the AG’s Office and became a defense attorney. He discussed with Lawyers Weekly’s Matt Yas the issue of marijuana decriminalization and the Legislature’s passage of a bill earlier this year approving marijuana “compassion centers.”

What draws you specifically to marijuana cases?

For one thing, they’re easy to defend. They’re just not treated as harshly anymore. Since the changes in the laws, offenders are much more likely to have their cases dismissed or receive community service and expungement of the charges.

So the recent legislative changes have had a tangible effect?

No question. I am constantly citing the Massachusetts decriminalization of marijuana and the Legislature’s approval of compassion centers here in Rhode Island, a bill that passed on an override of the governor’s veto. These examples of the changes in perception about marijuana serve as effective arguments in court, particularly in the towns.

Can you cite an example of this turning tide toward more compassionate rulings?

I had a case involving two professional clients — one a special needs teacher — who attended the annual Charlestown Music Festival. An undercover cop witnessed what appeared to be a joint being passed around. He observed my clients partaking in, then disposing of and stomping out, the cigarette — so, clearly guilty. The case was dismissed in exchange for community service and a donation to the City Solicitor’s Victims’ Fund.

What are your feelings, as a citizen first and a lawyer second, about the illegal status of marijuana?

What are your feelings, as a citizen first and a lawyer second, about the illegal status of marijuana?

Finally, are you aware that if an Internet user types “marijuana lawyer Rhode Island” into a Google search, yours is the first and only name to come up? Has that been a key to your steady stream of business?

A. I have a good web optimizer — I have to credit him for that one. But the business has been consistent regardless, because I have been able to resolve so many cases in this area favorably.

Published on September 10, 2009 in the RI Lawyers Weekly Blog and found on newstands through out Rhode Island in the Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly's September 14th publication. RILawyersWeekly.com is a subscription based online publication available to the public.

Contact Rhode Island Marijuana Lawyer S. Joshua Macktaz by Email or call today at (401) 861-1155 and we will respond to you as soon as possible.

For more information on Marijuana Crimes and Defense Lawyer services in Rhode Island visit our pages dedicated to Marijuana Laws and Criminal Defense in Rhode Island:

• Rhode Island Marijuana Information - Marijuana Possession and other Marijuana Crimes Defense in Rhode Island
• Drug Laws and Penalties In Rhode Island
• Rhode Island Criminal Defense

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