Breaking a Protective Order
R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-15-3 — a misdemeanor once the order is known, up to a year or $1,000, and contempt besides
Violating a family court or district court protective order the defendant has actual notice of is a misdemeanor, punished by a fine of no more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.
Any violation also exposes the defendant to contempt of court, and the domestic violence sentencing rules apply on top.
Handing back the guns. A person who took a restrained person's firearm and knowingly returns it while the order lasts commits a felony: up to $1,000, or one year to five years in prison, or both.
Police at a call arrest for a known violation. A particular charge is a question for a licensed Rhode Island attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-15-3 — Protective orders; Penalty; Jurisdiction
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.1-3 — Protective orders; Penalty; Jurisdiction
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.