You’ve probably seen the clip by now. It’s one of those shaky, high-contrast bodycam videos that feels like a scene from a scripted legal drama, but it's very real. In the middle of the frame is Devon Flanagan, a Rhode Island prosecutor, telling a Newport police officer that he’s "gonna regret this."
It’s the kind of moment that turns a professional career upside down in about thirty seconds.
While most of the internet focused on the viral "I'm an AG" quote, there’s a lot more to the ag Devon Flanagan Rhode Island story than just a bad night out at a restaurant. This isn't just about a trespassing charge; it’s a look at how the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office handles internal scandals and the blurry line between professional authority and personal behavior.
The Night at Clarke Cooke House
On August 14, 2025, things went sideways at the Clarke Cooke House. If you haven't been, it's a staple on Bannister's Wharf in Newport—very upscale, very "old money" vibes. According to police reports and the footage that eventually hit every local news station, Flanagan and a companion were asked to leave the premises by restaurant staff.
They didn't.
When Newport police arrived, the situation didn't de-escalate. Instead of walking away, Flanagan allegedly began citing her position. She reportedly told officers to turn off their body cameras, claiming it was "protocol" if a citizen requested it.
Spoilers: It isn't.
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She was eventually handcuffed and charged with willful trespass. As she was being led to the cruiser, the recording captured her shouting, "I'm an AG! I'm an AG!" multiple times. It was a textbook case of a "do you know who I am?" moment gone wrong. Honestly, the officer’s response—basically telling her he didn't care—is what made the video go truly nuclear on social media.
Who is Devon Flanagan?
Before this incident, Devon Flanagan (sometimes referred to in court documents by her maiden name, Devon Hogan) was a respected Special Assistant Attorney General. She wasn't some intern; she had been with the office for about seven years. At the time of the arrest, she was assigned to the criminal division’s appellate unit.
She was making roughly $113,000 a year.
That’s a significant position. The appellate unit handles the cases that have already been decided, ensuring that convictions stick when people try to appeal them. It requires a deep, nuanced understanding of the law. This is why the legal community in Rhode Island was so stunned. How does someone who spends their days arguing the finer points of the law end up fundamentally misunderstanding trespassing and bodycam protocols in their personal life?
The Legal Fallout and the "No Contest" Plea
By late August, Flanagan was in a courtroom, but not on the side she was used to. She appeared before a judge and pleaded no contest to the trespassing charge.
For those who aren't law nerds, a "no contest" (nolo contendere) plea basically means you aren't admitting guilt, but you're admitting the state has enough evidence to convict you. The judge treated it as a conviction for sentencing purposes.
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The result?
- A six-month filing (the case stays on her record for six months; if she stays out of trouble, it can be expunged).
- Payment of court costs.
- A formal "no-trespass" order, meaning she can’t go back to the Clarke Cooke House.
How Attorney General Peter Neronha Responded
Attorney General Peter Neronha didn't mince words. He called the behavior "inexcusable" and "embarrassing."
The office placed her on unpaid leave for six months.
That’s a $56,000 hit to her income. Neronha’s stance was interesting—he acknowledged that this was a massive breach of the "highest personal and professional standards" his office expects, but he didn't fire her immediately. He mentioned that the office has brought back attorneys after serious mistakes before, like a previous case involving a DUI.
He basically said that people’s worst moments can be a catalyst for change. It’s a pretty empathetic view for a top prosecutor, though it definitely sparked a lot of debate on Reddit and local Facebook groups about whether a "regular" person would have been treated so leniently.
Why This Still Matters in Rhode Island
The ag Devon Flanagan Rhode Island case touched a nerve because it highlights a perceived "two-tier" justice system.
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When a prosecutor—someone whose job is to put people in jail for breaking the law—appears to use their badge as a "get out of jail free" card, it damages public trust. The Newport Police Department actually received a lot of praise for how they handled it. They didn't blink. They didn't give her special treatment because of her title.
Actionable Takeaways from the Incident
If there’s a lesson here for the rest of us (besides "don't argue with bouncers"), it’s about the permanence of digital records and the reality of police protocols:
- Body Cams Stay On: In Rhode Island, and most states, a suspect cannot demand a police officer turn off their body camera. In fact, most departments require them to stay on during any investigative contact.
- Private Property is Private: If a business owner or manager tells you to leave, you leave. It doesn’t matter if you think they’re being unfair. Once you're asked to go and you refuse, you are trespassing.
- Title Doesn't Equal Immunity: In the age of viral video, "knowing someone" or having a government job often makes the consequences worse because of the public relations nightmare it creates for your employer.
Devon Flanagan is currently serving her suspension. Whether she returns to the criminal division or moves into private practice remains to be seen. The legal world in Providence is small, and memories are long.
For now, the best move for anyone following this story is to keep an eye on the RI Judiciary portal for any updates on her status or potential civil filings. If you're looking for more info on how the AG's office handles ethics, checking the Rhode Island Ethics Commission reports is usually the best place to find the raw data.
Whatever happens next, this case serves as a massive reminder that the camera is always rolling, and the law applies to everyone—even the people who write the briefs.