SMITHFIELD – Juveniles from Smithfield who violate the criminal laws of Rhode Island will be seen by the newly-formed Juvenile Hearing Board, which separated from a joint board with Johnston last week.

On Oct. 7, Town Council President John Tassoni sponsored a change in the local ordinance that would remove Johnston from the town’s Juvenile Hearing Board. Tassoni stated there were disagreements between the Smithfield and Johnston members of the board, including a personnel issue where individuals said they no longer wanted to work on the board.

The JHB hears cases referred to the committee by the Smithfield chief of police or his designee when it is considered beyond a reasonable doubt that the person committed the offense and should be disciplined. If the board believes the juvenile com

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