A state prosecutor has been arrested under unusual circumstances in Newport, Rhode Island, raising questions about professional conduct and police procedure.
Special Assistant Attorney General Devon Flanagan, 34, was taken into custody last Thursday night on charges of trespassing. The arrest occurred outside a local restaurant after police responded to a call about an “unwanted party.” Body camera footage released by the Newport Police Department provides a detailed account of the incident.
The video shows Ms. Flanagan repeatedly asking the officer to turn off his body camera, citing what she called “citizen protocol.” She identified herself as a member of the Attorney General’s office multiple times during the encounter. When informed she was trespassing, Ms. Flanagan disputed this, stating she had not been properly notified.
The significance becomes clear when we consider Ms. Flanagan’s position. As a prosecutor with seven years of experience in the criminal division’s appellate unit, her understanding of legal procedures is presumed to be extensive. Her companion at the scene emphasized her legal background to the officer.
This incident raises important questions about the intersection of law enforcement and the legal community. The officer’s response to Ms. Flanagan’s claims of special status was notably dismissive, indicating a potential tension between different branches of the justice system.
While Ms. Flanagan’s behavior may be seen as an attempt to leverage her position, the police officer’s conduct will also likely face scrutiny. The Newport Police Department’s body camera policy does allow for recording to cease at the request of victims or witnesses, though consent is not required.
The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office has stated it is conducting a review of the incident. The evidence suggests this case may have repercussions beyond a simple trespassing charge, potentially affecting public trust in both law enforcement and the prosecutor’s office.
