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NAACP Decries Lack of Judges of Color in RI

Monday, May 18, 2015

Kate Nagle, GoLocal Contributor

The head of the NAACP Providence Branch is decrying what he says is the lack of diversity in judges and magistrates in the state's judicial system, as the state considers a number of new judicial candidates.

"People of color represent over 25% of Rhode Islanders, yet the number of judges and magistrates of color could fit into my car," said Jim Vincent, President of the NAACP Providence branch, of the more than 80 judges and magistrates in the state's judicial system. "We need a [judicial] system at the highest ranks that reflects the diversity of our population here in the state."

Vincent noted the current consideration of traffic tribunal magistrate candidates.

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"There's a chance for the traffic tribunal to have a black magistrate," said Vincent of candidate William Trezvant. "They had one about ten years ago, her name was Vega. But there have never been any [traffic tribunal] judges of color. Workers comp has never had a judge of color."

"We've never had a supreme court judge of color -- ever," continued Vincent. "We are aggressively seeking to have more judges of color in all of the courts, we want to maintain the numbers -- if not increase them -- at district and superior courts. And with the traffic tribunal, we have have a highly qualified candidate, and a chance to better reflect the demographic composition of the state."

Citing Past Examples

Vincent cited the track records of recent past administration's judicial nominations as examples.

"Under [Governor] Carcieri, people vilified him for being too right-wing, but to his credit, he appointed [District Court Associate Judge] Rafael Ovalles. [District Court Associate Judge] Bill Clifton, and Superior Court Associate Justice [Walter Stone]," said Vincent.

Jim Vincent, President of the NAACP Providence Branch

Vincent said that the next administration - Lincoln Chafee's -- was a stark contrast.

"Under [Governor] Chafee, there were no judges of color appointed," said Vincent of the now presidential hopeful. Chafee spokesperson Debbie Rich noted that Rossie Lee Harris, Jr. was confirmed as a Family Court magistrate in 2013, during Chafee's tenure as Governor.

"No judges. One magistrate in 4 years," said Vincent. " Better than zero magistrates and zero judges."

See the RI Judicial Roster HERE

Vincent noted that while he cited past appointments as a reference point, he is committed to focusing on the present administration.

"Governor Raimondo has a tremendous opportunity to consider judicial appointments and how they reflect the community they serve," said Vincent.

Continued Call for Diversity in Law Enforcement

Vincent said that he is scheduled to meet with Raimondo in the coming weeks, and plans on discussion judicial appointments -- as well as diversity in the leadership ranks of the State Police.

"We'll be talking about judges, as well as the retirement.of John Avant, a Lieutenant in the state police" said Vincent. "With [Avant's] departure, there would be no people of color in command in the State Police."

"We need to [increase numbers] in the judiciary and law enforcement to reflect the diversity of community, which is critical given the climate nationally," said Vincent.

Related Slideshow: Top 30 Highest Paid Judges

Below are the top 30 highest paid judges, justices, and magistrates in the state judiciary. Judges and other top-earning members of the judiciary are listed from lowest to highest paid. Data includes both regular earnings as well as health care benefits. (The available records did not include the state contribution to judicial pensions.)

Note: Data was obtained from the State Controller’s Office. Pay and benefits are for the current fiscal year, which began in July. Data is current as of July 24, 2013. Salaries and benefits may be changed over the course of the year. In cases where compensation was the same, judges were listed in alphabetical order.

#30

Madeline Quirk

Associate Judge, District Court

Total Compensation: $181,303.98

Salary: $165,149.14

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

Photo: Flickr. Booster Club

#29

Joseph P. Ippolito, Jr.

Magistrate, District Court

Total Compensation: $184,031.12

Salary: $167,876.28

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

Photo: Flickr/Brian Turner

#28

Kathleen A. Voccola

Associate Justice, Family Court

Total Compensation: $184,811.90

Salary: $179,048.48

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $5,433.74

Dental: $286

Vision: $44

#27

Anthony Capraro

Associate Judge, District Court

Total Compensation: $184,894.32

Salary: $168,739.48

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

Photo: Flickr/j3net

#26

Christine S. Jabour

Associate Judge, District Court

Total Compensation: $184,894.32

Salary: $168,739.48

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

Photo: Flickr/Casino Connection

#25

Edward C. Parker

Associate Judge, Traffic Tribunal

Total Compensation: $186,115.54

Salary: $169,960.70

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

#24

Stephen J. Capineri

Associate Justice, Family Court

Total Compensation: $187,742.88

Salary: $171,588.04

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

Photo: Flickr/Claudia Morua

#23

Edward C. Clifton

Associate Justice, Superior Court

Total Compensation: $187,742.88

Salary: $171,588.04

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

#22

Bennett Gallo

Associate Justice, Superior Court

Total Compensation: $187,742.88

Salary: $171,588.04

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

#21

Susan E. McGuirl

Associate Justice, Superior Court

Total Compensation: $187,742.88

Salary: $171,588.04

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

#20

John A. Mutter

Associate Justice, Family Court

Total Compensation: $187,742.88

Salary: $171,588.04

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

#19

Michael A. Silverstein

Associate Justice, Superior Court

Total Compensation: $187,742.88

Salary: $171,588.04

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

#18

Hugo L. Ricci, Jr.

Associate Judge, Workers Compensation Court

Total Compensation: $188,484.40

Salary: $172,329.56

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

Photo: Flickr/James Robinson

#17

Frank J. Cenerini

Associate Judge, District Court

Total Compensation: $189,326.80

Salary: $173,171.96

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

Photo: Flickr/j3net

#16

William P. Robinson III

Associate Justice, Supreme Court

Total Compensation: $190,167.12

Salary: $174,012.28

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

#15

Patricia A. Hurst

Associate Justice, Superior Court

Total Compensation: $191,473.10

Salary: $175,318.26

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

Photo: Flickr/manu h

#14

Robert D. Krause

Associate Justice, Superior Court

Total Compensation: $191,473.10

Salary: $175,318.26

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

#13

Jeffrey A. Lanphear

Associate Justice, Superior Court

Total Compensation: $191,473.10

Salary: $175,318.26

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

Photo: Flickr/spoletocity

#12

Stephen P. Nugent

Associate Justice, Superior Court

Total Compensation: $191,473.10

Salary: $175,318.26

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

#11

Debra E. Disegna

Associate Justice, Family Court

Total Compensation: $195,203.32

Salary: $179,048.48

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

#10

Michael B. Forte

Associate Justice, Family Court

Total Compensation: $195,203.32

Salary: $179,048.48

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

#9

Melanie W. Thunberg

Associate Justice, Superior Court

Total Compensation: $195,203.32

Salary: $179,048.48

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

#8

Joseph A. Montalbano

Associate Justice, Superior Court

Total Compensation: $195,848.90

Salary: $179,694.06

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

Photo:Flickr/j3net

#7

Laureen D'Ambra

Associate Justice, Family Court

Total Compensation: $198,150.42

Salary: $181,995.58

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

#6

Haiganush R. Bedrosian

Chief Judge, Family Court

Total Compensation: $202,717.06

Salary: $196,953.64

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $5,433.74

Dental: $286

Vision: $44

#5

George E. Healy

Chief Judge, Workers Compensation Court

Total Compensation: $209,005.16

Salary: $192,850.32

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

#4

Alice B. Gibney

Presiding Justice, Supreme Court

Total Compensation: $213,108.48

Salary: $196,953.64

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

#3

Maureen M. Golberg

Associate Justice, Supreme Court

Total Compensation: $215,025.98

Salary: $198,871.14

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

#2

Gilbert V. Indeglia

Associate Justice, Supreme Court

Total Compensation: $215,025.98

Salary: $198,871.14

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

#1

Paul A. Suttell

Chief Justice, Supreme Court

Total Compensation: $234,914.94

Salary: $218,760.10

Benefits (State Contributed)

Health: $15,233.92

Dental: $801

Vision: $120

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