Clearing a Record
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-1.3-3 — five clean years after a misdemeanor, ten after a felony, and no crime of violence
A first offender may move to expunge a felony or misdemeanor conviction in the court where it happened, once all court fines and costs are paid or waived. A crime of violence cannot be expunged.
The waiting period. The court may grant it if, in the five years before the motion for a misdemeanor or the ten years for a felony, the person has not been convicted of or arrested for any crime, has nothing pending, and has shown good character.
A person with more than one but fewer than six misdemeanors and no felony may move to expunge them after ten clean years, except for domestic violence, driving under the influence and refusal convictions.
A public law passed after the General Assembly's online text of these sections was last updated added a route to expunge more than one felony after a longer clean period, and let the judge weigh rehabilitation. A particular record is a question for a licensed Rhode Island attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-1.3-2 — Motion for expungement
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-1.3-3 — Motion for expungement; Notice; Hearing; Criteria for granting
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.