Charles C Calenda

Charles C Calenda

also known as Chas Calenda

5.0
Rating: 9.8

Licensed for 19 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Coventry, RI
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI, Sex Crime ... +3 more

1500 Nooseneck Hill Rd., Coventry, RI

About Charles

Biography

Practice Areas

6

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 45%

Former state prosecutor - experienced criminal trial attorney with more than 60 cases tried to conclusion before the District, Family and Superior Courts. There is no type of case with which I am not familiar.

20 years | 1 case

45%
DUI and DWI 20%

DUI practice in Rhode Island is highly technical. I have a history of getting my clients the best outcome possible in their situations.

20 years

20%
Sex Crime 20%

Don't face these charges without an experienced professional behind you. Our firm brings a collective 125+ years of experience to the table in various areas of law, giving us a comprehensive understanding of legal issues.

20%
Constitutional 5%

Various areas of constitutional law including gun rights/laws.

20 years

5%
Expungement 5%

20 years

5%
General Practice 5%

General civil litigation including personal injury/slip & fall, negligence, etc.

9 years

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 7 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 2018

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Licensed in Rhode Island for 19 years

State: Rhode Island

Acquired: 2006

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Connecticut for 19 years

State: Connecticut

Acquired: 2006

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Nevada for 17 years

State: Nevada

Acquired: 2008

Inactive

No misconduct found

Location

Inman & Tourgee - Attorneys at Law

1500 Nooseneck Hill Rd., Coventry, RI, 02816

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Charles C Calenda's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

8 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (8) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Star rating
5 stars 8
4 stars 0
3 stars 0
2 stars 0
1 star 0
Practice Areas

Showing 1 - 5 of 8 reviews

Posted by anonymous | December 19, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Beast of a lawyer

THIS GUY! He is a beast. We had this horrible judge and he would not back down from her yelling and screaming at him. She wanted me to do some time but he took my case to trial and crushed the DA. I was not guilty in less than an hour! You get charged with a crime in rhode island hire this guy

Posted by anonymous | November 04, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Speeding & Traffic Ticket

Invaluable Expertise!

Chas was a pleasure to work with. He guided me through the whole process to an agreeable resolution for some non-moving motor vehicle charges. He was able to get the majority of them dismissed and was clear when I did have to go to traffic court that he was well known and well respected by all the s...taff, police and other attorneys.

Posted by anonymous | June 26, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

My Case was Dismissed!

I'll be honest. I was in an argument with my boyfriend and I ended up getting arrested by the police for some kind of domestic crime. I looked up attorneys who handle these kinds of things because I have never been arrested before and came across Chas' profile. I met with him and he made me feel so m...uch better than I had been feeling and also hopeful about my case. Not only did he get right on the case, he had my case dismissed within 3 weeks! I didn't even have to go to court! His prices were more than fair for the work he did and I would definitely recommend him to anyone who's in the position of needing a criminal defense attorney. THANK YOU CHAS

Posted by anonymous | January 18, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

My charges were dismissed!

I was charged with some domestic crimes by South Kingstown police that weren't even true. I was afraid that these charges were going to effect me forever and I wouldn't be able to get a job or go back to school. Chaz was like a pit bull in court. I actually heard him get into a huge argument with the... prosecutor in front of a bunch of people about my case. In the end the case was dismissed without a trial and Chaz got my charges expunged from my arrest record! Best attorney I've ever seen!

Posted by anonymous | May 16, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

2 felonies dropped

Mr Calenda was so helpful! The police said I was passing fake money and it wasn't mine. Mr Calenda convinced the prosecutor to dismiss my case and then he got my criminal record cleaned up. I am so thankfull that I had him as my attorney. Thank you!!

See All Client Reviews

Charles C Calenda's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Charles
Nicholas James Parrillo headshot
Nicholas Parrillo

Constitutional lawyer | May 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. In addition to being a smart and dedicated attorney, Chas oftentimes takes positions that may be perceived as unpopular or contrarian in an effort to fight as hard as possible for his clients and their ideals. That is to be commended."

Gregory S. Inman headshot
Gregory Inman

Criminal defense lawyer | May 16

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. He's been an associate of my firm for over a year now and has extensive knowledge in criminal law. Our clients have been thrilled to have Chas working with them to get exceptional results in their cases. Even when Chas was a prosecutor, I always found him to be fair, honest and easy to work with. You are in good hands when Chas is at your side."

Christopher J. Biafore headshot
Christopher Biafore

Criminal defense lawyer | May 16

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. I have had many dealings with Attorney Calenda throughout my years of practice. He is experienced, trustworthy, intelligent and honest."

Lauren Iannelli headshot
Lauren Iannelli

Criminal defense lawyer | May 14

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Charles is a highly skilled and experienced trial attorney. He is diligent, aggressive and will get you the best results for your case! You will get the best representation with Chas."

View All Endorsements
Nicholas James Parrillo headshot
Nicholas Parrillo

Criminal defense lawyer

Christopher J. Biafore headshot
Christopher Biafore

Criminal defense lawyer

Lauren Iannelli headshot
Lauren Iannelli

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.8 (Superb)

Honors

2021

10 Best for Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys

2020

10 Best, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys

2020

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2019

10 Best for Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys

2019

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2019

Lawyer of Distinction, Lawyers of Distinction

2018

10 Best for Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys

Work Experience

2018 - Present

Associate Attorney, Inman & Tourgee - Attorneys at Law

2006 - 2018

Special Assistant Attorney General, Rhode Island Department of Attorney General

Associations

2018 - Present

Florida Bar Association

Member - Young Lawyers Division

2006 - Present

Rhode Island Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Hit & Run - Not Guilty

Not Guilty after trial

Connecticut Evading Charge dropped

Nolle pros filed by state

1st Degree Robbery - Not Guilty in 38 minutes

Not guilty by jury

University Discipline Challenge

School agreed to vacate the previously-imposed discipline and issue a simple warning with no permanent record in my client's school file.

Passing Counterfeit Bills (10 year felony case)

Dismissed

See More Legal Cases

Education

2006

University of Miami School of Law

JD

2003

University of Miami

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2019

Rhode Island Bar Association

Rhode Island's Red Flag Law

2019

Rhode Island Bar Association

2019 DUI Laws and Hardship Licenses

2019

Rhode Island Bar Association

Superior Court Diversion Program

2019

Rhode Island Bar Association

Extreme Risk Protection Orders

2019

Kent County Bar Association

From the Judges- What You Need to Know

2019

"Coffee Hour Discussion"

Rhode Island's "Castle Doctrine" - Presented by Charles C. Calenda, Esq.

2018

State of the State (Television Talk Show) Gun Laws in Rhode Island

2018

District Court Prosecutor's Association

Rhode Island's Red Flag Law & Prosecuting Domestic Violence Cases

N/A

RI Bar Association Annual Meeting

Family Court Practice - Juvenile

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
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