Probation Ordered in Knife Case

Unless otherwise noted, files at Washington County Superior Court contain the information about the following court cases. You can review them at the McGrath Judicial Complex.

James Hammar, 40, of 80 Samuel Rodman St., South Kingstown, pleaded no contest on March 28 to charges of trespassing and possession of a weapon other than a firearm.

Hammar was ordered to serve a year of probation and a year-long suspended sentence, to pay $180 in assessments and to surrender the knife as part of his plea bargain.

An additional charge of domestic disorderly conduct was dismissed, and the trespassing charge downgraded from a felony, in return for Hammar’s plea.

According to North Kingstown police reports included in court files, in September 2012 Hammar tried to break into the home of an ex-girlfriend, a 23-year-old North Kingstown woman.

Police said that when Hammar was searched, a knife with a 4.5-inch blade was found on his person. Police noted that the woman was seven months pregnant at the time of Hammar’s actions, and copies were also taken of threatening texts sent to her phone.

According to online records, Hammar has seven previous arrests:

• In February 2012, he pleaded no contest to a West Warwick police charge of making obscene phone calls. He was ordered to serve a year of probation and a year-long suspended sentence. Following a violation of his probation, he served 90 days at the ACI.
• In December 2011, a West Warwick police charge of driving with an expired license was dismissed.
• In September 2007, a Warwick police charge of driving with a suspended license was dismissed.
• In June 2002, he pleaded no contest to a West Warwick police charge of falsely reporting a crime. He was ordered to serve a year of probation and a year-long suspended sentence.
• In July 2001, he pleaded no contest to a North Kingstown police charge of violating a no-contact order. He was ordered to serve 20 days home confinement, followed by a year of probation and a year-long suspended sentence. Hammar served six months at the ACI following a probation violation.
• In September 2000, he pleaded no contest to a North Kingstown police charge of domestic vandalism. He was ordered to pay restitution and to serve a year of probation. Two additional charges of domestic disorderly conduct and violating a no-contact order were dismissed.
• Also in September 2000, he pleaded no contest to a North Kingstown police charge of domestic disorderly conduct. He was ordered to serve six months probation and a six-month suspended sentence, and to complete domestic abuse counseling.

If we’re missing a case you’re interested in knowing about, feel free to leave a comment or to send Local Editor Stephen Greenwell a message at Stephen.greenwell@patch.com. We typically write up the summaries once a case has been resolved – a dismissal, a plea, or a guilty or not guilty finding.

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