About Bob Craven - RI State Representative - District 32:
Political Years:
Bob is incredibly proud to have represented the people of North Kingstown's District 32 since 2012. He currently serves as Chair of the House Judiciary Committee. Some of Bob's biggest legislative successes to-date are as follows:
5th Term:
5th Term:
- Gun control bills (ban of large-capacity magazines; raising age to purchase guns & ammo; prohibit open carry)
- Removal of spousal rape exemption, aiming to protect rights of victims.
- Legislation passed to support local businesses in wake of pandemic.
- Supported the 2021 passage of the climate change bill and the Governor’s efforts to make Rhode Island a 100% green energy state by the year 2033.
- Roe v. Wade codified in Rhode Island state law, protecting a woman's right to choose.
- Time to sue sex abusers extended, protecting victims' rights.
- Rep. Craven named "Lawyer of the Year" by Lawyers Weekly
- Gun control bills (ie: banning ghost guns)
- Craven's bill criminalizing revenge porn and sextortion legislation signed into law
- Gun reforms (red flag law; bump stock ban)
- Series of criminal justice reform bills
- Open records reform, improving transparency in government.
- Campaign finance reforms, bringing accountability to office
- Craven named to Governor's criminal justice reform group
- Passage of "Good Samaritan" legislation
- Eliminating the "master-lever"
- Reforming RI's estate tax
- $6M in funding to Quonset
Personal Life:
Bob, is happily married and has two sons. He enjoys golfing, traveling and spending time with his family. He is always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need and is generous with his time and advice. Bob is often heard saying "I’m happy to help" with tremendous sincerity. Bob looks forward to continuing to represent the residents of North Kingstown, RI upon reelection as the RI State Representative of District 32.
In addition to practicing law, Bob is also involved in the following local charity and community events:
In addition to practicing law, Bob is also involved in the following local charity and community events:
- The Rhode Island Special Olympics www.specialolympicsri.org
- Colonel Anthony Macuso’s Annual Golf Charity and scholarship fundwww.asisprovidence.org
- The Katie Decubellis Memorial Foundation - www.kdmf.org
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving www.madd.org
- The Harrington Hall Homeless Legal Clinic www.rihomeless.org
- Sponsored, coached, and managed teams in the Wickford, RI Little League and Ocean State Soccer.
Professional Life:
Aside from serving North Kingstown's District 32 as RI State Representative, Bob is an attorney with 37 years' experience, a former prosecutor, a city and town solicitor, father, husband, and life-long resident of Rhode Island. Bob is the founder and sole proprietor of Robert E. Craven & Associates, a general practice law firm focusing on litigation throughout Rhode Island State and Federal Courts.
Currently, Attorney Craven actively participates in monthly legal clinics rendering free legal advice to those financially unable to employ an attorney. These are sponsored by the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless and the Rhode Island Volunteer Lawyers Program. He is also a participant in the Speakers Bureau of the Rhode Island Bar Association where he lectures and educates school age children as well as law students and colleagues about the law and legal issues.
Attorney Robert E. Craven served as an adjunct instructor for the Community College of Rhode Island where he taught law courses in the business department and law department each semester between 1983 and 2002.
From 1994-1996, Attorney Craven served on the Town Council of North Kingstown, RI and led the fight to develop the Quonset Industrial Park by negotiating a payment in lieu of taxes with the State of Rhode Island to attract business development, jobs and tax revenue to the Town.
For more, see the successes from Bob's first, second, third, and fourth term as State Rep. or check out his campaign blog.
Currently, Attorney Craven actively participates in monthly legal clinics rendering free legal advice to those financially unable to employ an attorney. These are sponsored by the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless and the Rhode Island Volunteer Lawyers Program. He is also a participant in the Speakers Bureau of the Rhode Island Bar Association where he lectures and educates school age children as well as law students and colleagues about the law and legal issues.
- Admitted to the Rhode Island Bar in 1983.
- Town Solicitor in Foster, RI (1998-2004),
- Town Solicitor in Charlestown, RI (2007-Present),
- Assistant Solicitor for East Providence (2008-2019).
- Probate Judge for the Town of Charlestown, RI.
- Legal Counsel for the Rhode Island State Board of Elections (1995-2001)
- Assistant Attorney General for the State of Rhode Island (1983 – 1992) - Lead trial lawyer and the Chief of the Public Corruptions Unit
- Board of Directors at the Center for Non-Violence (1993-1996)
Attorney Robert E. Craven served as an adjunct instructor for the Community College of Rhode Island where he taught law courses in the business department and law department each semester between 1983 and 2002.
From 1994-1996, Attorney Craven served on the Town Council of North Kingstown, RI and led the fight to develop the Quonset Industrial Park by negotiating a payment in lieu of taxes with the State of Rhode Island to attract business development, jobs and tax revenue to the Town.
For more, see the successes from Bob's first, second, third, and fourth term as State Rep. or check out his campaign blog.