English guides · Providence office
Legal Blog & Practice Guides
General information only. Not legal advice.
Practical reading on criminal defense, federal matters, civil litigation, personal injury and seized property. Start with the guide that matches your papers, then contact our Providence office for an individual review.
General information only. Not legal advice.
These articles provide general educational information only. They are not legal advice, an attorney’s opinion about your circumstances, or a substitute for advice from a lawyer licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. Reading a page or contacting the firm does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and procedures can change, and deadlines depend on the facts. Consult a lawyer about your own situation before making legal decisions.
A useful starting point
Start with the papers in front of you.
Browse Rhode Island and Massachusetts articles, practice guides and resources by topic. Each link opens the original guide, where you can read its full context and find the relevant contact route.
The firm serves Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut from Providence. A guide about a specific state or court keeps that scope; the same rule does not automatically apply elsewhere.
Recently published
Newest guides
The most recent additions to the library. Every guide also appears under its practice topic below.
Article · Massachusetts ·
Massachusetts 93A Demand Letter Sample and Response
Fictional Massachusetts 93A demand letter and response, with drafting notes. Free first consultation except car-dealership misconduct.
Criminal defense · Practice guide ·
Rhode Island Criminal Appeal or Post-Conviction Review: Records and Timing
After a Rhode Island criminal judgment, identify the court, docket-entry date and records needed to discuss direct appeal or post-conviction review.
Criminal defense · Practice guide ·
Rhode Island Firearms Charges: Identify the Exact Count and Seizure Papers
For a Rhode Island firearms charge, gather the exact counts, permits, property receipts, search papers and court orders needed for a focused defense review.
Criminal defense · Practice guide ·
Rhode Island No-Contact Orders: Read the Conditions Before Taking Action
Read a Rhode Island domestic violence no-contact order before addressing communication, children, residence or property, and gather current court conditions.
Criminal defense · Practice guide ·
A Commercial Driver’s DUI or OUI Case: Court Papers and License Notices
For a Rhode Island or Massachusetts CDL DUI or OUI matter, organize criminal court papers, testing records and separate license notices for prompt review.
Criminal defense · Practice guide ·
Rhode Island Breath-Test Refusal: Organize the Two Proceedings
Organize Rhode Island breath-test refusal notices, license orders, and related DUI papers. Understand the separate issues before making your next decision.
Personal injury · Practice guide ·
Rhode Island Rideshare Accidents: Which Insurance Applies?
Learn how Rhode Island rideshare insurance changes with app status, which trip records to preserve, and what to bring after an Uber or Lyft accident.
Charges · Court papers
Criminal & federal defense
Find preparation guides for state charges, an upcoming Providence court date or a separate federal matter.
Criminal defense · Practice guide ·
Rhode Island Criminal Appeal or Post-Conviction Review: Records and Timing
After a Rhode Island criminal judgment, identify the court, docket-entry date and records needed to discuss direct appeal or post-conviction review.
Criminal defense · Practice guide ·
Rhode Island Firearms Charges: Identify the Exact Count and Seizure Papers
For a Rhode Island firearms charge, gather the exact counts, permits, property receipts, search papers and court orders needed for a focused defense review.
Criminal defense · Practice guide ·
Rhode Island No-Contact Orders: Read the Conditions Before Taking Action
Read a Rhode Island domestic violence no-contact order before addressing communication, children, residence or property, and gather current court conditions.
Criminal defense · Practice guide ·
A Commercial Driver’s DUI or OUI Case: Court Papers and License Notices
For a Rhode Island or Massachusetts CDL DUI or OUI matter, organize criminal court papers, testing records and separate license notices for prompt review.
Criminal defense · Practice guide ·
Rhode Island Breath-Test Refusal: Organize the Two Proceedings
Organize Rhode Island breath-test refusal notices, license orders, and related DUI papers. Understand the separate issues before making your next decision.
Article · Rhode Island ·
Rhode Island Assault and Battery: Court Papers and First Steps
Facing Rhode Island assault or battery papers? Organize the exact charge, court notices, orders and original records before a Providence defense consultation.
Article · Rhode Island ·
Can Police Search Your Phone After a Rhode Island Arrest?
After a Rhode Island arrest, distinguish taking a phone from searching its data. Prepare warrants, property receipts and a timeline for a Providence review.
Article · Rhode Island ·
Rhode Island Criminal Filings: Conditions and Case Records
Understand Rhode Island criminal filing paperwork, conditions, violation notices and record questions before a consultation with DiLibero in Providence.
Article · Rhode Island ·
Rhode Island Probation Violation After a New Criminal Charge
A new Rhode Island charge can also raise a probation allegation. Learn which orders, notices, evidence, and later dismissal records counsel needs to review.
Article · Rhode Island ·
Rhode Island Deferred Sentences: Terms and Completion
Review Rhode Island deferred-sentence agreements, compliance records and the distinction between completion and expungement before a Providence consultation.
Article · Massachusetts ·
Assault and Battery in Massachusetts: Court Papers and First Steps
Facing an assault and battery charge in Massachusetts? Learn why the exact charge, court orders and original evidence matter before a defense consultation.
Article · Massachusetts ·
Massachusetts CWOF Probation Violation: Notices and Next Steps
A Massachusetts CWOF is conditional. Learn how probation violation hearings work, what outcomes Rule 9 permits, and which compliance records to gather.
Practice guide
State drug charge defense
Start with the exact charge, search and evidence records, release papers and next court date.
Practice guide
Firearm & weapons charges
Organize the charge, location, existing licenses and search records for an individual review.
Resource article ·
What happens at an arraignment in Providence?
A guide to the first court appearance, the court papers and what to bring.
Resource article ·
Rhode Island DUI & Massachusetts OUI
Compare the two states in the existing guide, with each jurisdiction identified separately.
Practice guide
Federal drug charge defense
Explore the firm's federal drug defense page for a matter involving federal authorities.
Practice guide
Prepare federal court papers
Identify the court, case number, parties and documents for federal matters within the firm's stated district-court coverage.
Investigations · Federal court · Sentencing
Federal criminal defense
Federal guides for Rhode Island and Massachusetts: subpoenas, court appearances, detention, drug conspiracy charges, search warrants and presentence reports. Federal rules, local requirements and individual orders each need attention.
Federal criminal defense · RI & MA ·
Federal Grand Jury Subpoenas in Rhode Island and Massachusetts
Received a federal grand jury subpoena in Rhode Island or Massachusetts? Review testimony, document requests, deadlines and counsel’s role before responding.
Federal criminal defense · RI & MA ·
First Appearance or Arraignment in Federal Court: RI and MA
Understand federal first appearances, arraignments and release questions in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Organize the charging papers and next court date.
Federal criminal defense · RI & MA ·
Federal Detention Hearings in Rhode Island and Massachusetts
Prepare for a federal detention hearing in Rhode Island or Massachusetts. Learn how release conditions, statutory presumptions and a supported plan are reviewed.
Federal criminal defense · RI & MA ·
Federal Drug Conspiracy Charges: Reading the Indictment
Facing a federal drug conspiracy charge in Rhode Island or Massachusetts? Review the indictment, alleged agreement, evidence and separate sentencing questions.
Federal criminal defense · RI & MA ·
Federal Search Warrants: Scope, Seizure and Records to Keep
After a federal search in Rhode Island or Massachusetts, preserve the warrant, attachments and property receipt. Learn why scope and electronic-data review matter.
Federal criminal defense · RI & MA ·
Federal Presentence Reports: Corrections Before Sentencing
Review a federal presentence report in Rhode Island or Massachusetts. Learn why factual corrections, objections, supporting records and the court’s schedule matter.
Collisions · Treatment · Records
Personal injury & insurance
Choose the collision or coverage guide closest to your situation. Keep the trip, treatment and insurance records together.
Personal injury · Practice guide ·
Rhode Island Rideshare Accidents: Which Insurance Applies?
Learn how Rhode Island rideshare insurance changes with app status, which trip records to preserve, and what to bring after an Uber or Lyft accident.
Personal injury · Practice guide ·
Rhode Island Underinsured Motorist Claims: Before Signing a Release
Before settling a Rhode Island injury claim, review underinsured motorist coverage, insurer consent, the proposed release, and records for counsel.
Personal injury · Practice guide ·
Rhode Island Truck Accidents: Which Evidence Should Be Preserved?
After a Rhode Island truck crash, identify carrier records, electronic data, inspection reports and preservation questions before evidence is lost or changed.
Personal injury · Practice guide ·
Rhode Island Pedestrian and Bicycle Injuries: Which Policies Should Be Reviewed?
After a Rhode Island pedestrian or bicycle collision, identify the vehicles, insurance policies, household relationships and records needed for coverage review.
Article · Rhode Island and Massachusetts ·
Car Accident Claims in Rhode Island and Massachusetts: Records to Bring
Organize Rhode Island and Massachusetts crash, treatment, insurance and work records before a car-accident consultation with our Providence office.
Article · Rhode Island ·
Disputed Fault After a Rhode Island Car Accident: Evidence to Keep
Dispute a Rhode Island car-accident fault percentage with organized crash evidence, insurer letters and loss records. Prepare a Providence consultation.
Article · Rhode Island and Massachusetts ·
Shared Fault in RI and Massachusetts Car Accidents: Different Rules
Compare Rhode Island and Massachusetts negligence rules with simple fault examples and learn which evidence helps when an insurer blames you.
Practice guide
Pedestrian & bicycle accidents
Record the crossing or route, vehicle movements, scene evidence, treatment and insurance information.
Practice guide
Rideshare accidents
Identify your role in an Uber or Lyft crash and preserve the trip, app and insurance records.
Practice guide
Truck accident injuries
Gather available vehicle and company information alongside treatment and work-loss records.
Practice guide
Uninsured & underinsured motorist claims
Organize the complete policies, endorsements and insurer letters for a coverage review.
Resource article ·
After a car accident in Rhode Island
Read the Rhode Island guide to collision records, insurance communications and next steps.
Resource article ·
Diminished value in Rhode Island
Explore the existing guide to a vehicle's loss in value and the records used to review it.
Claims · Defense · Disputes
Civil litigation
Read Rhode Island and Massachusetts articles alongside our practice guides. Each article identifies its state and the records useful for an initial review.
Business and consumer disputes · Practice guide ·
Rhode Island LLC Deadlock: Records, Buyouts and Dissolution
A Rhode Island LLC dispute starts with the agreement and records. Learn how to prepare for deadlock, a proposed buyout, or a judicial dissolution review.
Business and consumer disputes · Practice guide ·
Unpaid Business Invoices in Massachusetts: Is Small Claims the Right Route?
Organize an unpaid Massachusetts business invoice, identify the correct parties, and review the small claims limit, disputed work, and collection questions.
Business and consumer disputes · Practice guide ·
Rhode Island Vehicle Dealer Disputes: Warranty, Repairs and Sales Papers
Organize a Rhode Island dealer dispute with the sales papers, warranty, repair history, mileage, and notices. Distinguish used-car and new-car protections.
Article · Rhode Island ·
Rhode Island Consumer Claims: Documents and Measurable Loss
Prepare Rhode Island consumer-dispute records, purchase details and a supported loss calculation before a consultation with DiLibero & Associates in Providence.
Article · Rhode Island ·
Can Emails or Text Messages Form a Rhode Island Contract?
Rhode Island recognizes electronic agreements, but context and intent matter. Learn what to preserve when a contract dispute involves emails or texts.
Article · Rhode Island ·
Rhode Island Home Renovation Disputes: Change Orders and Proof
Organize Rhode Island renovation change orders, disputed extras, approvals and payment records before a contract consultation with the Providence office.
Article · Rhode Island ·
Rhode Island Contractor Complaints: Board Process and Civil Claims
Learn how Rhode Island contractor-board enforcement differs from a civil damages claim, why agreed restitution matters, and which records to preserve.
Article · Rhode Island ·
Rhode Island Business Contract Disputes: Proving the Agreement
Prepare Rhode Island business-contract disputes with the complete agreement history, evidence of accepted terms and supported loss records for counsel.
Article · Massachusetts ·
Massachusetts Chapter 93A Demand Letters: Before You Sue
Massachusetts 93A demand-letter requirements, 30-day timing and settlement offers. Free first consultation except car-dealership misconduct.
Article · Massachusetts ·
Massachusetts Business Contract Disputes and Chapter 93A Section 11
Learn what Massachusetts businesses should review before asserting Chapter 93A: contractual duties, unfair conduct, actual loss, location and settlement.
Practice guide
Start with your civil dispute
Identify whether you received court papers or want to bring a claim, then organize the agreement, correspondence and payment records.
Practice guide
Contract disputes & unpaid work
Review the firm's guide to contract claims and defense, including payment and performance disputes.
Seized property · Notices
Asset forfeiture
Begin with the existing forfeiture practice guide and its consultation-record checklist.
Article · Records checklist ·
Asset forfeiture notice: records to gather
Organize the complete notice, delivery evidence, ownership records and related case papers for a lawyer's review.
Practice guide
Prepare for a forfeiture consultation
Keep the complete notice, delivery record, property and ownership information, and related case papers identifiable.
Business and Transaction Guides
Agreements, title records, ownership decisions and closing preparation for business, vessel and aircraft matters.
Business and transactions · Practice guide ·
Buying a Documented Boat: Title Records, Maritime Liens and Closing
Before buying a documented boat, review the title record, mortgage payoffs, maritime lien claims, seller authority, and the documents needed at closing.
Business and transactions · Practice guide ·
Buying an Aircraft: Title Searches, FAA Recording and Escrow Conditions
Before an aircraft purchase, separate FAA registration from title evidence and review recorded interests, releases, seller authority, and escrow conditions.
Business and transactions · Practice guide ·
Buying a Rhode Island Business: Asset Deal or Equity Deal?
Compare asset and equity deal questions when buying a Rhode Island business: transferred property, obligations, successor liability, and closing records.
Business and transactions · Practice guide ·
Forming a Rhode Island LLC: Operating Agreement Decisions
Before forming a Rhode Island LLC, address management, contributions, spending authority, distributions, and owner exits in a coordinated operating agreement.
Business and transactions · Practice guide ·
Rhode Island Contract Termination: Read the Notice and Cure Clause
Before terminating a Rhode Island contract, review the notice clause, delivery method, cure rights, amendments, and prior conduct with the complete agreement.
Reading & next steps
Use the guide to prepare for a conversation.
These pages provide general information, not advice about your individual matter. Keep the court, agency, location and dates on your papers identifiable. The appropriate next step depends on the actual documents and circumstances.
For the first contact, provide basic contact details and a brief description. Keep private documents for an appropriate channel after the firm's initial screening and conflict review. An inquiry does not confirm an appointment or create an attorney-client relationship.
Your next step
Talk about the help you need.
Contact our Providence office with the type of matter, the people involved and any upcoming date shown on your papers.
Reminder: general information only; not legal advice. Read the full legal disclaimer.