In this episode, we examine grand juries in Rhode Island, institutions that play a powerful role in Rhode Island’s criminal justice system. When cases “go to the grand jury,” what really happens behind closed doors, and how does that influence public trust?

Joined by Professor Shannon Heery of RWU School of Law, we discuss how grand juries work, why they matter, and whether the system is living up to its purpose.

In this episode:

3:00 Why do grand juries exist and what role are they meant to play? 3:11 How federal and state grand juries differ in structure. 8:00 Breaking down the core purpose behind a grand jury. 11:12 What “probable cause” really means in practice. 14:38 The Fifth Amendment and its connection to grand jury proceedings. 15:35 What it’s actually like to serve on a grand jury. 23:15 Why grand juries often become the focus of news coverage. 30:27 The most common criticisms surrounding grand juries. 36:18 Which states rely most heavily on grand juries. 44:26 The biggest misconceptions on how grand juries work.

Resources

Professor Shannon Heery

https://law.rwu.edu/faculty/shannon-heery

What is a grand jury? DOJ

https://www.justice.gov/jm/jm-9-11000-grand-jury

“Understanding the grand jury ruling on Michael Brown's death,” PBS NewsHour

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/understanding-grand-jury-ruling-michael-browns-death

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Did you know that one in three Rhode Island families face food insecurity? Did you know that large grocery chains increase prices and drive out competition through a restrictive covenant?

RI Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos joins us to discuss her support for the Fair Price Grocery Agenda. This legislation focuses on reducing food deserts--communities lacking access to grocery stores with fresh, affordable options. This package of bills opposes the unfair control of large grocery chains and includes measures to improve access for all shoppers. Think seniors who are unable to use digital coupons, or anyone without a smartphone who is excluded from app-based discounts. If you care about fair prices and access to healthy food in your community, this conversation is for you. Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos

https://ltgov.ri.gov/about

Bill S2642

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/SenateText26/S2237.pdf

Fair Price Grocery Agenda

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy4U_YN_amk

Robinson-Patman Act

https://www.ftc.gov/advice-guidance/competition-guidance/guide-antitrust-laws/price-discrimination-robinson-patman-violations

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The information provided is for general informational purposes only and may not apply to individual situations; listeners are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel before acting on any information discussed.

Why start civic education early? Understanding the importance of young people’s participation in democracy is the focus of this week’s conversation.

Part of an ongoing series on civics, our guest is Hillary Lima from Generation Citizen. Hillary shares why inspiring youth and giving them direct civic experience, in the classroom or at the State House, is so important.

We cover Rhode Island’s civic learning requirements with bigger questions on engagement, equity, and trust in public institutions. It also brings to light why government transparency matters more than ever in a time of deep political polarization.

Resources

Hillary Lima

https://www.generationcitizen.org/team-member/hillary-lima/

Bill S2233

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2233.pdf

Bill H7581

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Billtext/BillText26/HouseText26/H7581.pdf

Civic Literacy Act

https://governor.ri.gov/press-release...

Tufts Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement

https://circle.tufts.edu/

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Disclaimer The information provided is for general informational purposes only and may not apply to individual situations; listeners are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel before acting on any information discussed.

For a small state, why does Rhode Island have such a powerful impact on the national legal stage?

A group of pro bono lawyers working under the Lawyers’ Committee for Rhode Island (LCRI) might have something to do with it. LCRI was formed to file lawsuits challenging a range of Trump administration policies. From taking legal action against federal decisions affecting immigration, nonprofits, and education, we’ll explore how this local team of legal advocates is driving national change. Attorney Miriam Weizenbaum, one of LCRI’s legal counsels, joins Nicole and MDB to explain the critical role LCRI plays in protecting democracy.

Resources

Miriam Weizenbaum

https://www.dwbrlaw.com/attorneys/weizenbaum-miriam/

Lawyers’ Committee for Rhode Island

https://www.lawyerscommitteeri.org/

“How Rhode Island became the center of the legal battle for the nation’s SNAP benefits”

https://www.oceanstatemedia.org/politics/how-rhode-island-became-the-center-of-the-legal-battle-for-the-nations-snap-benefits-1

WPRI 12+ free TV app 

Stream bite-size episodes of Law 401 anytime on WPRI 12+  https://www.wpri.com/wpri-12-tv-app/ 

The information provided is for general informational purposes only and may not apply to individual situations; listeners are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel before acting on any information discussed.

A Dove study found 80% of Black women feel they must change their natural hair to fit in at work. In this episode, we talk with Rhode Island State Senator Tiara Mack, the first queer Black person elected to the RI Senate and lead sponsor of the CROWN Act, “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.”

Sen. Mack explains the historical connection between hair and identity in Black culture, and how the CROWN Act provides legal protection against discrimination in schools and workplaces. We close on a lighter note talking about the viral dance video that made her a social media sensation.

Resources

Senator Tiara T. Mack

https://www.rilegislature.gov/senators/mack/Pages/Biography.aspx

Dove CROWN Research Study

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.law.nova.edu/current-students/orgs/blsa/dove_the_crown_reseach_study.pdf

Locs, Law & Liberation

https://racism.org/articles/law-and-justice/38-law-policies-and-race/12823-locs-law-liberation

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The information provided is for general informational purposes only and may not apply to individual situations; listeners are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel before acting on any information discussed.

Who has the power to impose tariffs—the President or Congress?

Greg W. Bowman, Dean of Roger Williams University School of Law, former international trade attorney, and resident trade law subject matter expert, breaks down the Supreme Court’s decision in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump—the case that raises the simple question of ownership in imposing tariffs. Hosts MDB and Nicole unpack the Court’s ruling and ask the questions you want to know:

Did the President exceed his authority in imposing certain tariffs? What does the SCOTUS decision mean regarding the limits of presidential emergency powers? What happens to tariffs already being paid (hint: refunds)? More importantly, why does the ruling matter for Rhode Island businesses and consumers who rely on global trade.

This podcast will keep you informed. Resources

Dean Gregory W. Bowman

https://law.rwu.edu/faculty/gregory-w-bowman

Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-1287_4gcj.pdf

World Trade Organization

https://www.wto.org/

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Stream bite-size episodes of Law 401 anytime on WPRI 12+ 

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The information provided is for general informational purposes only and may not apply to individual situations; listeners are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel before acting on any information discussed.

Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, joins us to discuss her legislation that would allow survivors of childhood abuse to file civil claims for up to 35 years. The measure would hold institutions and individuals accountable for child abuse negligence or cover up. She also shares why it’s deeply personal.

The legislation comes as a recent report by RI Attorney General Peter Neronha identified decades of abuse. The report found that 75 priests were accused of abusing 300 victims in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence. This is a sensitive but important issue that affects communities across Rhode Island.

Resources

Carol Hagan McEntee

https://www.rilegislature.gov/representatives/mcentee/Pages/Biography.aspx

H 7200 Legislation

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7200.pdf

Report on Child Abuse

https://riag.ri.gov/diocese-report

WPRI 12+ free TV app 

Stream bite-size episodes of Law 401 anytime on WPRI 12+ 

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The information provided is for general informational purposes only and may not apply to individual situations; listeners are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel before acting on any information discussed.

Episode 24’s guest, RWU law professor Natalia Friedlander, explores a critical question: Is it possible for Artificial Intelligence to have bias?

AI influences decisions in health care, housing, education, and courts. Exactly how does AI exhibit or apply hidden bias – and how could that legally affect you? We examine who is responsible when AI systems produce biased outcomes. What safeguards are in place for Rhode Islanders? From legal education to public policy, we uncover that AI is not just a tech issue but also a matter of fairness, accountability, and justice.

Resources

Natalia Friedlander

https://law.rwu.edu/faculty/natalia-friedlander

Rhode Island’s AI Task Force Report

https://etss.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur466/files/2026-01/Final-Rhode-Island-AI-Action-Plan-Report-2026-01-26.pdf

Harvard Law’s Principles for AI Governance

https://harvardlawreview.org/print/vol-138/beyond-section-230-principles-for-ai-governance/

WPRI 12+ free TV app 

Stream bite-size episodes of Law 401 anytime on WPRI 12+ 

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The information provided is for general informational purposes only and may not apply to individual situations; listeners are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel before acting on any information discussed.