News Summary
Devon Flanagan, a Special Assistant Attorney General in Rhode Island, has been placed on a six-month unpaid leave following her arrest for trespassing outside a Newport restaurant. Body camera footage showed her attempting to intervene with police during the incident. Flanagan pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge and faces scrutiny from Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, who criticized her behavior. The situation has raised concerns about professional standards within the legal community, potentially jeopardizing Flanagan’s career.
Rhode Island – Special Assistant Attorney General Devon Flanagan has been placed on a six-month unpaid leave following her arrest on trespassing charges on August 14, 2025. The incident occurred outside the Clarke Cooke House restaurant in Newport, where Flanagan and a companion were detained after police responded to complaints regarding patrons reportedly refusing to leave the premises.
The arrest gained widespread attention after body camera footage surfaced, showing Flanagan attempting to intervene with the police by urging them to turn off their cameras, asserting that it was standard protocol when a citizen requested it. Throughout the incident, Flanagan identified herself as an attorney general, which was noted to have added tension to the situation.
As Flanagan was being taken into custody, she threatened repercussions, telling arresting officers they “were gonna regret this.” Following her arrest, Flanagan entered a plea of nolo contendere (no contest) to a misdemeanor charge of willful trespass on August 20, 2025. As part of her agreement, a six-month period was granted during which the case could be dismissed provided she remains out of legal trouble.
Flanagan’s companion, Veronica Hannan, faced multiple charges, including willful trespass, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. Hannan pleaded no contest to the resisting arrest charge, with the other charges dismissed as part of her plea deal. Both individuals have been prohibited from returning to the restaurant where the incident occurred.
The Rhode Island Attorney General, Peter Neronha, expressed that Flanagan’s behavior was unacceptable and that she had violated the professional and personal standards expected of attorneys within his office. As a result, he deemed the six-month unpaid leave necessary for her to reflect on her actions and their implications.
Flanagan, who is 34 years old, has served as a Special Assistant Attorney General in Rhode Island and previously worked as a law clerk for the Connecticut Judicial Branch. It is relevant to note that while her legal last name is Hogan, she is commonly known as Flanagan.
The incident attracted significant media coverage, particularly after the body camera footage went viral, leading to public scrutiny of Flanagan’s actions and the conduct of those in her position. Neronha emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards in the legal profession, asserting that Flanagan’s actions fell short of the expectations associated with her role.
This development marks a serious situation for Flanagan, as it not only impacts her employment status but also puts her legal career in jeopardy given the potential long-term implications of her arrest and subsequent legal proceedings. Flanagan’s leave of absence is intended to provide her an opportunity to consider the consequences of her actions and possibly rehabilitate her standing within the legal community.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- CBS News
- GoLocalProv
- New York Post
- Boston.com
- Providence Journal
- Wikipedia: Rhode Island
- Google Search: Devon Flanagan
- Google Scholar: Devon Flanagan
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Rhode Island
- Google News: Devon Flanagan
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