WHAT EACH CHARGE CARRIES
44 charges people actually meet, each with the section it comes from, what it requires the state to show, and the most it can carry. Rhode Island does not sort crimes into classes. Each offense section sets its own term and fine, and the general rule in 11-1-2 makes anything carrying more than a year or $1,000 a felony, so each level here names the kind and the longest term the section allows.
44 charges
Carrying a pistol without a license
10 YEAR FELONY · up to 10 years
Also searched as unlicensed carry, carrying without a permit, gun charge
Carrying a pistol or revolver in a vehicle or on or about the person, visible or concealed, without a license, outside one's own home, business or land.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 10 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to ten years | Up to 10 yearsUp to $10,000 fine | WhenAny violation, from one to ten years |
After a first conviction, the sentence cannot be suspended or deferred, and there is no probation.
Possession of a firearm by a prohibited person
10 YEAR FELONY · up to 10 years
Also searched as felon in possession, gun after a domestic conviction
Buying, owning, carrying, transporting or possessing any firearm after a crime of violence, as a fugitive, after a listed domestic conviction, or under a protective order.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 10 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to ten years | Up to 10 yearsNone set by the section fine | WhenAny violation, from two to ten years |
The sentence cannot be suspended or deferred, and there is no probation.
Possession of a firearm on school grounds
5 YEAR FELONY · up to 5 years
Also searched as gun at school, weapon on school property
Having a firearm or other weapon on the grounds of an elementary or secondary school, at a school activity, or on school transportation.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 5 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to five years | Up to 5 years$500 to $5,000 fine | WhenImprisonment from one year to five years, or a fine |
Loaded rifle or shotgun on a road
5 YEAR FELONY · up to 5 years
Also searched as loaded gun in a car, loaded shotgun on the highway
Having a loaded rifle or shotgun, or one with shells in its magazine, upon or along any public highway, road, lane or trail, outside lawful hunting and duty.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 5 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to five years | Up to 5 yearsUp to $5,000 fine | WhenAny violation |
Carrying a firearm while intoxicated
5 YEAR FELONY · up to 5 years
Also searched as gun while drunk, firearm under the influence
Carrying or transporting any firearm while intoxicated or under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 5 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to five years | Up to 5 yearsUp to $1,000 fine | WhenUnder the weapons chapter's general penalty |
Unsafe storage of a firearm
CIVIL to 6 MONTH MISD · up to 6 months
Also searched as safe storage violation, unlocked gun
Storing or leaving a firearm without a locked container or an engaged lock, when no authorized user is close enough to carry it.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| CIVILCivil violation or infraction, a fine and no jail | No jailUp to $250 fine | WhenFirst offense, a civil infraction |
| CIVILCivil violation or infraction, a fine and no jail | No jailUp to $1,000 fine | WhenSecond offense, a civil infraction |
| 6 MONTH MISDMisdemeanor, up to six months | Up to 6 monthsUp to $500 fine | WhenThird or later offense |
Criminal storage of a firearm in the second degree
1 YEAR MISD · up to 1 year
Also searched as child access to a gun, child got the gun
Leaving a firearm where one knows or should know a child or prohibited person is likely to reach it, when that person does reach it.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 YEAR MISDMisdemeanor, up to one year | Up to 1 yearUp to $1,000 fine | WhenAny violation |
Manufacture, sale or purchase of a prohibited firearm
10 YEAR FELONY · up to 10 years
Also searched as assault weapon sale, buying an assault weapon
Making, selling, offering to sell, transferring or buying a prohibited firearm, outside the limited exceptions for dealers, police and lawful owners selling out.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 10 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to ten years | Up to 10 yearsUp to $10,000 fine | WhenAny violation, with the firearm forfeited |
Large capacity feeding device
5 YEAR FELONY · up to 5 years
Also searched as high capacity magazine, illegal magazine
Making, selling, buying or possessing a large capacity feeding device, other than as a dealer, officer or service member.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 5 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to five years | Up to 5 yearsUp to $5,000 fine | WhenAny violation, with the device forfeited |
Unlawful interception of a communication
5 YEAR FELONY · up to 5 years
Also searched as illegal wiretap, secret recording
Willfully intercepting a wire, electronic or oral communication without being a party or having a party's prior consent, or knowingly disclosing or using one so obtained.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 5 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to five years | Up to 5 yearsNone set by the section fine | WhenAny violation |
Disorderly conduct
6 MONTH MISD · up to 6 months
Also searched as disturbing the peace, breach of the peace
Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly fighting, making unreasonable noise, using provoking words, obstructing a public way or a gathering, or looking into a private place for a lascivious purpose.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 6 MONTH MISDMisdemeanor, up to six months | Up to 6 monthsUp to $500 fine | WhenAny violation |
Willful trespass
1 YEAR MISD · up to 1 year
Also searched as trespassing, refusing to leave
Willfully trespassing, or remaining with no legitimate purpose on the land or at the home of another, after being forbidden by the owner or the person entitled to possession.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 YEAR MISDMisdemeanor, up to one year | Up to 1 yearUp to $1,000 fine | WhenAny violation |
Resisting legal or illegal arrest
1 YEAR MISD · up to 1 year
Also searched as resisting an officer, fighting an arrest
Using force or any weapon to resist an arrest by a peace officer, legal or not, with reasonable ground to believe it is an arrest by an officer.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 YEAR MISDMisdemeanor, up to one year | Up to 1 yearUp to $500 fine | WhenAny violation |
Eluding an officer in a high speed pursuit
1 YEAR MISD to 5 YEAR FELONY · up to 5 years
Also searched as fleeing police, police chase
Fleeing an emergency police vehicle at more than fifteen miles per hour over the limit, or causing more than $1,000 in property damage.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 YEAR MISDMisdemeanor, up to one year | Up to 1 year$500 to $1,000 fine | WhenFirst conviction, with a suspension of ninety days to six months and the vehicle forfeited |
| 5 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to five years | Up to 5 years$2,000 to $5,000 fine | WhenSecond or later conviction, from two to five years |
Simple assault or battery
1 YEAR MISD · up to 1 year
Also searched as assault, battery, hitting someone
Making an assault or battery, or both, without a dangerous weapon or a serious bodily injury.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 YEAR MISDMisdemeanor, up to one year | Up to 1 yearUp to $1,000 fine | WhenAny violation |
Where the domestic violence chapter applies, its penalties are added.
Felony assault
6 YEAR FELONY to 20 YEAR FELONY · up to 20 years
Also searched as aggravated assault, assault with a dangerous weapon
An assault or battery with a dangerous weapon, acid or other dangerous substance, or fire, or one that results in serious bodily injury.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 6 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to six years | Up to 6 yearsNone set by the section fine | WhenBodily injury or no injury |
| 20 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to twenty years | Up to 20 yearsNone set by the section fine | WhenSerious bodily injury results |
Failing to assist at an emergency
6 MONTH MISD · up to 6 months
Also searched as duty to rescue, failure to help
Being at an emergency, knowing another person faces or has suffered grave physical harm, and failing to give reasonable assistance that could be given safely.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 6 MONTH MISDMisdemeanor, up to six months | Up to 6 monthsUp to $500 fine | WhenA petty misdemeanor |
Driving under the influence
1 YEAR MISD to 5 YEAR FELONY · up to 5 years
Also searched as DUI, drunk driving, DWI
Driving or operating any vehicle while under the influence of liquor, drugs, toluene or a controlled substance, or with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or more.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 YEAR MISDMisdemeanor, up to one year | Up to 1 year$100 to $300 fine | WhenFirst offense, .08% to under .1% |
| 1 YEAR MISDMisdemeanor, up to one year | Up to 1 year$100 to $400 fine | WhenFirst offense, .1% to under .15%, or unknown |
| 1 YEAR MISDMisdemeanor, up to one year | Up to 1 year$500 fine | WhenFirst offense, .15% or more, or drugs |
| 1 YEAR MISDMisdemeanor, up to one year | Up to 1 year$400 fine | WhenSecond within ten years, at least ten days in jail |
| 1 YEAR MISDMisdemeanor, up to one year | Up to 1 yearAt least $1,000 fine | WhenSecond within ten years at .15% or more, at least six months |
| 3 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to three years | Up to 3 years$400 fine | WhenThird within ten years, from one year to three years |
| 5 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to five years | Up to 5 years$1,000 to $5,000 fine | WhenThird within ten years at .15% or more, from three years to five years |
Driving under the influence with a child passenger
1 YEAR MISD to 5 YEAR FELONY · up to 5 years
Also searched as DUI with a child in the car, child endangerment DUI
A driver over eighteen convicted of driving under the influence while a child under thirteen years was a passenger.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 YEAR MISDMisdemeanor, up to one year | Up to 1 yearUp to $1,000 fine | WhenFirst offense |
| 5 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to five years | Up to 5 yearsUp to $5,000 fine | WhenSecond or later offense |
Refusal to submit to a chemical test
CIVIL to 1 YEAR MISD · up to 1 year
Also searched as refusing a breathalyzer, refusal
Refusing, while under arrest, a chemical test requested by an officer with reasonable grounds to believe the person drove under the influence.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| CIVILCivil violation or infraction, a fine and no jail | No jail$200 to $500 fine | WhenFirst violation, with a suspension of six months to one year |
| 6 MONTH MISDMisdemeanor, up to six months | Up to 6 months$600 to $1,000 fine | WhenSecond within ten years |
| 1 YEAR MISDMisdemeanor, up to one year | Up to 1 year$800 to $1,000 fine | WhenThird or later within ten years |
Driving under the influence, resulting in death
15 YEAR FELONY · up to 15 years
Also searched as DUI homicide, drunk driving death
Causing the death of anyone other than the driver by operating a vehicle while under the influence of liquor, toluene or a controlled substance.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 15 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to fifteen years | Up to 15 years$5,000 to $10,000 fine | WhenFirst violation, from five years to fifteen years, and a revocation of five years |
Driving so as to endanger, resulting in death
10 YEAR FELONY · up to 10 years
Also searched as vehicular homicide, reckless driving death
Causing a death by operating a vehicle in reckless disregard of the safety of others.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 10 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to ten years | Up to 10 yearsNone set by the section fine | WhenAny violation, with a suspension of no more than five years |
Driving so as to endanger, resulting in serious bodily injury
5 YEAR FELONY · up to 5 years
Also searched as reckless driving injury, serious injury crash
Causing a serious bodily injury by operating a vehicle in reckless disregard of the safety of others.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 5 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to five years | Up to 5 yearsNone set by the section fine | WhenAny violation, with a suspension of no more than three years |
Leaving the scene of a crash
6 MONTH MISD to 10 YEAR FELONY · up to 10 years
Also searched as hit and run, failure to stop
Failing to stop, stay and give information and aid at a crash one was knowingly involved in.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 6 MONTH MISDMisdemeanor, up to six months | Up to 6 months$500 to $1,000 fine | WhenDamage to an attended vehicle only |
| 5 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to five years | Up to 5 yearsUp to $5,000 fine | WhenAn injury, with the license lost for one year to five years |
| 10 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to ten years | Up to 10 years$1,000 to $5,000 fine | WhenA serious bodily injury, first violation, from one year to ten years |
Street racing
1 YEAR MISD to 5 YEAR FELONY · up to 5 years
Also searched as drag racing, racing on a public road
Two or more drivers competing on a public road, one trying to keep another from passing, or racing against time, with or without an agreement.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 YEAR MISDMisdemeanor, up to one year | Up to 1 year$500 to $1,000 fine | WhenFirst violation, with ten to sixty hours of community restitution |
| 2 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to two years | Up to 2 yearsAt least $1,000 fine | WhenSecond violation within five years |
| 5 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to five years | Up to 5 years$2,500, or up to $5,000 with passengers fine | WhenThird or later within five years, or racing with passengers |
Aggressive driving
CIVIL · no jail
Also searched as road rage
Speeding while also breaking two or more of the listed rules, such as following too closely or passing on the right.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| CIVILCivil violation or infraction, a fine and no jail | No jail$260 to $500 fine | WhenAt the traffic tribunal, with at least a thirty day suspension possible |
Driving after denial, suspension or revocation
CIVIL to 1 YEAR MISD · up to 1 year
Also searched as driving on a suspended license, driving without a license
Driving with no license, an expired or refused one, or while suspended, revoked or cancelled for reasons other than those another section handles.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| CIVILCivil violation or infraction, a fine and no jail | No jailUp to $150 fine | WhenFirst violation, a civil penalty |
| CIVILCivil violation or infraction, a fine and no jail | No jailUp to $250 fine | WhenSecond violation, a civil penalty |
| CIVILCivil violation or infraction, a fine and no jail | No jailUp to $350 fine | WhenThird violation, a civil penalty |
| 1 YEAR MISDMisdemeanor, up to one year | Up to 1 year$500 to $1,000 fine | WhenFourth or later violation, with a suspension up to one year |
Open container in a vehicle
CIVIL · no jail
Also searched as open beer in the car, unsealed alcohol
Driving on a public highway with any unsealed alcoholic beverage container in the passenger section.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| CIVILCivil violation or infraction, a fine and no jail | No jailUp to $200 fine | WhenFirst violation, or a suspension up to six months |
| CIVILCivil violation or infraction, a fine and no jail | No jailUp to $500 fine | WhenEach later violation, or a suspension up to one year |
Distracted driving with a handheld device
CIVIL · no jail
Also searched as texting while driving, phone ticket
Using a wireless handset or personal wireless communication device for any purpose, other than hands free, while driving on a public road.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| CIVILCivil violation or infraction, a fine and no jail | No jail$100 fine | WhenFirst conviction |
| CIVILCivil violation or infraction, a fine and no jail | No jail$150 fine | WhenSecond conviction |
| CIVILCivil violation or infraction, a fine and no jail | No jail$250 fine | WhenThird or later conviction |
Passing a stopped school bus
CIVIL · no jail
Also searched as school bus violation
Failing to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights from any direction, or following one at less than fifty feet.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| CIVILCivil violation or infraction, a fine and no jail | No jailUp to $300 fine | WhenFirst offense, or a suspension up to thirty days |
| CIVILCivil violation or infraction, a fine and no jail | No jail$300 to $500 fine | WhenEach later offense, or a revocation of one year |
Possession of alcohol under twenty-one
CIVIL · no jail
Also searched as minor in possession, MIP, underage drinking
Having any alcoholic beverage in one's possession before one's twenty first birthday.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| CIVILCivil violation or infraction, a fine and no jail | No jail$150 to $750 fine | WhenFirst offense, with thirty hours of community service and a license suspension |
| CIVILCivil violation or infraction, a fine and no jail | No jail$300 to $750 fine | WhenSecond offense |
| CIVILCivil violation or infraction, a fine and no jail | No jail$450 to $950 fine | WhenThird or later offense |
Marijuana possession outside the cannabis law
CIVIL to 1 YEAR MISD · up to 1 year
Also searched as weed possession, possession of marijuana
Possessing marijuana where the cannabis law's protection for adults does not reach, graded by amount and earlier violations.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| CIVILCivil violation or infraction, a fine and no jail | No jail$150 fine | WhenOne ounce or less, a civil offense for a person eighteen years of age or older |
| 30 DAY MISDMisdemeanor, up to thirty days | Up to 30 days$200 to $500 fine | WhenOne ounce or less, a third time within eighteen months |
| 1 YEAR MISDMisdemeanor, up to one year | Up to 1 year$200 to $500 fine | WhenMore than one ounce |
Possession of a controlled substance
3 YEAR FELONY · up to 3 years
Also searched as drug possession, possession of drugs
Knowingly or intentionally possessing a controlled substance, other than marijuana or buprenorphine, without a valid prescription.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 3 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to three years | Up to 3 years$500 to $5,000 fine | WhenAny violation |
Violation of a protective order
1 YEAR MISD · up to 1 year
Also searched as breaking a restraining order, violating a no contact order
Violating a protective order the defendant has actual notice of.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 YEAR MISDMisdemeanor, up to one year | Up to 1 yearUp to $1,000 fine | WhenAny violation, with contempt besides |
Stalking
5 YEAR FELONY · up to 5 years
Also searched as following someone, harassment
Harassing another person, or willfully, maliciously and repeatedly following someone intending to place them in reasonable fear of bodily injury.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 5 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to five years | Up to 5 yearsUp to $10,000 fine | WhenAny violation |
Cyberstalking and cyberharassment
1 YEAR MISD to 2 YEAR FELONY · up to 2 years
Also searched as online harassment, harassing messages
Transmitting communications by computer or another electronic device, or having someone contacted, for the sole purpose of harassing a person or their family.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 YEAR MISDMisdemeanor, up to one year | Up to 1 yearUp to $500 fine | WhenFirst conviction |
| 2 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to two years | Up to 2 yearsUp to $6,000 fine | WhenSecond or later conviction |
Unauthorized dissemination of a sexually explicit image
1 YEAR MISD to 5 YEAR FELONY · up to 5 years
Also searched as revenge porn, sharing nudes without consent, sextortion
Intentionally sharing a private sexual or intimate image of an identifiable adult without consent, knowing or recklessly disregarding the harm.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 YEAR MISDMisdemeanor, up to one year | Up to 1 yearUp to $1,000 fine | WhenFirst violation |
| 3 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to three years | Up to 3 yearsUp to $3,000 fine | WhenSecond or later violation |
| 5 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to five years | Up to 5 yearsUp to $5,000 fine | WhenThreatening to share an image for a benefit, or demanding payment to remove one |
Failure to report child abuse
1 YEAR MISD · up to 1 year
Also searched as not reporting abuse
Knowingly failing to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect, or knowingly preventing someone else from reporting.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 YEAR MISDMisdemeanor, up to one year | Up to 1 yearUp to $500 fine | WhenAny violation |
Larceny
1 YEAR MISD to 15 YEAR FELONY · up to 15 years
Also searched as theft, stealing, embezzlement
Stealing, embezzling or obtaining property or money by false pretenses, graded by its value.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 YEAR MISDMisdemeanor, up to one year | Up to 1 yearUp to $500 fine | WhenValue not more than $1,500 |
| 3 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to three years | Up to 3 yearsUp to $1,500 fine | WhenOver $1,500 and under $5,000 |
| 6 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to six years | Up to 6 yearsUp to $3,000 fine | WhenOver $5,000 and under $10,000 |
| 10 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to ten years | Up to 10 yearsUp to $5,000 fine | WhenOver $10,000, or any firearm |
| 15 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to fifteen years | Up to 15 yearsUp to $5,000 fine | WhenA victim sixty-five years of age or older, over $500, from two years to fifteen years |
Shoplifting
1 YEAR MISD · up to 1 year
Also searched as retail theft, stealing from a store
Taking merchandise, or switching tags or containers, intending to deprive a merchant of its full retail value.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 YEAR MISDMisdemeanor, up to one year | Up to 1 yearThe greater of $50 or twice the price, up to $500 fine | WhenAny conviction |
Fraudulent check, small amount
1 YEAR MISD · up to 1 year
Also searched as bad check, bounced check
Writing a check of not more than $1,500 with intent to defraud, knowing the funds are not there, or stopping payment after taking the goods.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 YEAR MISDMisdemeanor, up to one year | Up to 1 yearUp to $500 fine | WhenAny violation |
Identity fraud
3 YEAR FELONY to 10 YEAR FELONY · up to 10 years
Also searched as identity theft, fake ID
Making false identification, transferring identification obtained without lawful authority, holding documents not lawfully issued to the holder to use them unlawfully, or using another's identification or financial information to defraud.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 3 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to three years | Up to 3 yearsUp to $5,000 fine | WhenFirst conviction |
| 5 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to five years | Up to 5 yearsUp to $10,000 fine | WhenSecond conviction, from three years to five years |
| 10 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to ten years | Up to 10 yearsAt least $15,000 fine | WhenThird or later conviction, from five years to ten years |
Cruelty to animals
11 MONTH MISD to 6 YEAR FELONY · up to 6 years
Also searched as animal abuse, animal neglect
Overworking, torturing, depriving of sustenance, cruelly beating or mutilating an animal, or failing to give it proper food, drink and shelter.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| 11 MONTH MISDMisdemeanor, up to eleven months | Up to 11 months$50 to $500 fine | WhenFirst offense |
| 6 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to six years | Up to 6 years$500 to $5,000 fine | WhenA second offense within ten years |
Littering
CIVIL · no jail
Also searched as illegal dumping
Throwing or leaving litter where the litter chapter forbids, heard in the traffic tribunal.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| CIVILCivil violation or infraction, a fine and no jail | No jail$100 to $1,000 fine | WhenFirst violation, with two to twenty-five hours picking up litter possible |
| CIVILCivil violation or infraction, a fine and no jail | No jail$300 to $5,000 fine | WhenSecond or later violation, with four to fifty hours possible |
Every level on this page, for reference
The terms come from each offense's own section. Civil violations and infractions carry a fine and no jail, and they are on the ladder too, because the ticket is what a reader is holding.
- CIVILCivil violation or infraction, a fine and no jailNo jail
- 30 DAY MISDMisdemeanor, up to thirty daysUp to 30 days
- 6 MONTH MISDMisdemeanor, up to six monthsUp to 6 months
- 11 MONTH MISDMisdemeanor, up to eleven monthsUp to 11 months
- 1 YEAR MISDMisdemeanor, up to one yearUp to 1 year
- 2 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to two yearsUp to 2 years
- 3 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to three yearsUp to 3 years
- 5 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to five yearsUp to 5 years
- 6 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to six yearsUp to 6 years
- 10 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to ten yearsUp to 10 years
- 15 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to fifteen yearsUp to 15 years
- 20 YEAR FELONYFelony, up to twenty yearsUp to 20 years
Words on a charging document
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
30 words
- Aggressive drivingSpeeding while also breaking two or more listed rules. It carries $260 to $500 and at least a thirty day suspension.
- Batterer's intervention programA program a person convicted of a domestic violence crime attends at their own expense, ordered as a condition of probation, with a $125 assessment.
- Blood alcohol concentrationThe weight of alcohol in the blood. At .08% or more a driver is in violation, and the first offense tiers change at .1% and .15%.
- Community restitutionHours of public service a court orders as part of a sentence, ten to sixty hours on a first driving under the influence offense.
- Crime of violenceA conviction in Rhode Island or elsewhere that bars a person from buying, owning, carrying or possessing any firearm, on pain of two to ten years.
- CyberstalkingSending electronic communications only to harass a person or their family. A first offense is a misdemeanor of up to one year or $500.
- Disorderly conductFighting, unreasonable noise, provoking words, obstructing a way, or interfering with a gathering, done intentionally, knowingly or recklessly. It carries up to six months or $500.
- Driving so as to endangerDriving in reckless disregard of others' safety. Where a death results, it carries up to ten years.
- ExpungementA court order clearing a conviction from the record, for a first offender after five clean years for a misdemeanor or ten for a felony.
- FelonyAn offense that may be punished by more than one year, or a fine of more than $1,000, unless a statute says otherwise.
- Felony assaultAn assault with a dangerous weapon, acid, a dangerous substance or fire, or one causing serious bodily injury, punished by up to twenty years where serious injury results.
- First offenderA person who may move to expunge a conviction, once all court fines and costs are paid or waived.
- Full retail valueThe merchant's stated price of the merchandise, which shoplifting deprives the merchant of.
- Identity fraudMaking or using false identification, or another's identification or financial information, to defraud. A first conviction carries up to three years.
- LarcenyStealing property or money. Value of not more than $1,500 is punished by up to one year; above that, felonies by value.
- Large capacity feeding deviceA magazine banned to make, sell, buy or possess, apart from dealers, police and service members, punished by up to five years or $5,000.
- Leaving the sceneFailing to stop and stay at a crash that injures someone or damages an attended vehicle. With vehicle damage only it is a misdemeanor of $500 to $1,000.
- MisdemeanorAn offense punishable by not more than one year, or not more than $1,000, or both.
- Petty misdemeanorAn offense punishable by not more than six months, or not more than $500, or both.
- Pretrial releaseRelease of a defendant without bail, on conditions the court sets to secure appearance and protect the community.
- Prohibited firearmA firearm the chapter defines as prohibited. Making, selling, transferring or buying one is punished by up to ten years or $10,000.
- RecognizanceA promise to appear and keep the peace, given with sufficient surety in a sum the process names or a justice deems reasonable, on which a person held is released.
- Resisting arrestUsing force or a weapon against an arrest by a peace officer. It is unlawful whether the arrest is legal or illegal, and carries up to $500 or one year.
- Serious bodily injuryInjury that creates a substantial risk of death, causes lasting loss or impairment of a body part or organ, or serious permanent disfigurement.
- Simple assaultAn assault or battery without the aggravating features of felony assault, punished by up to one year or $1,000.
- StalkingHarassing someone, or willfully and repeatedly following them meaning to put them in fear of bodily injury. A felony of up to five years.
- Street racingTwo or more drivers competing on a public road, or racing against time, with or without a formal agreement. A first conviction is a misdemeanor.
- Unauthorized dissemination of indecent materialSharing a private sexual image of an adult without consent, knowing or recklessly disregarding the harm. A first violation is a misdemeanor.
- Underage possessionHaving an alcoholic beverage before one's twenty first birthday. A first offense is $150 to $750, with thirty hours of community service and a license suspension.
- ViolationAn offense punishable only by a fine of not more than $500.
About this guide — maximums, not predictions. What a specific case carries turns on priors, the facts, and the court, and only a licensed Rhode Island attorney can tell you what yours is. Current as of October 2026.