Assault
R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-5-3 — simple assault up to a year, and felony assault with a weapon or a serious injury up to twenty years
Simple assault or battery is punished by imprisonment not exceeding one year, or a fine not exceeding $1,000, or both.
An assault or battery with a dangerous weapon, acid or other dangerous substance, or fire, or one that causes serious bodily injury, is felony assault.
| Felony assault | Imprisonment |
|---|---|
| Felony assaultSerious bodily injury | ImprisonmentNot more than twenty years |
| Felony assaultBodily injury or none | ImprisonmentNot more than six years |
Serious bodily injury means a substantial risk of death, a lasting loss or impairment of a body part or organ, or serious permanent disfigurement, among others.
Where the domestic violence chapter applies, its penalties are added. A particular charge is a question for a licensed Rhode Island attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-5-3 — Simple assault or battery
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-5-2 — Felony assault
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Rhode Island attorney.