CRANSTON -- Well-known personal injury lawyer Brian R. Cunha pleaded guilty Friday in Traffic Tribunal to refusing a chemical test for alcohol.
As part of an agreement with the attorney general's office, a criminal drunken-driving charge against Cunha will be dismissed.
Magistrate Alan Goulart accepted the plea, but ordered Cunha's license suspended for nine months -- longer than the minimum -- because of his history of drunken-driving charges. Cunha was charged in 1998 and in 2000. Newport police arrested him in September after his car allegedly rolled through a stop sign and he admitted to drinking. The failure to stop violation was also dismissed.
Cunha, 63, of 147 Harrison Ave., Newport, has handled high-profile cases. His standing in Massachusetts and R.I. won't be affected.