MOTION IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE AN AMICUS BRIEF re. EDWARDO v. LOUIS A. GELINEAU, THE ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF PROVIDENCE, ET ALS.
March 30, 2020
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS SUPERIOR COURT
C.A. No. PC-2019-09894

This motion was written as a response to the trial court’s inquiry about the precedent of trial courts to accept and consider amicus briefing at the trial level. In this case, Defendants challenge to the constitutionality of the revival provisions of RIGL § 9-1-51, which allow victims of child sex abuse to bring civil claims, even when their claims have previously expired. Issues include whether there is a nationwide trend to consider amicus briefing in trial courts and whether there is precedent for Rhode Island superior courts to allow amicus participation. After the court denied CHILD USA’s amicus participation in response to objections by the Defendant Diocese, the Rhode Island Attorney General decided to participate as amicus.

Memo on Amicus - PC-2019-09894 FINAL watermark