Destiny Viera v. State of Rhode Island

Summary

The Rhode Island Supreme Court reviewed the trial justice’s sua sponte removal of Destiny Viera’s counsel, finding that no substantial conflict existed and that the removal was not warranted at that stage. Accordingly, the Court quashed the July 24, 2025 orders removing Attorney David A. Cooper. The decision rests on the Sixth Amendment right to counsel of choice and the lack of a factual predicate for removal.