Trespass
R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-44-26 — remaining after being told to leave, and a tenant whose lease has ended is not a trespasser
Willfully trespassing, or remaining with no legitimate purpose on the land of another or the premises of a home, after being forbidden by the owner, an authorized agent or the person entitled to possession, is punished by a fine not exceeding $1,000, or imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both.
A tenant holding over is not a trespasser. The section does not apply to a tenant or occupant who rightfully moved in and stays after the tenancy ended or is said to have ended. The owner or landlord may recover possession only through civil proceedings.
Where the domestic violence chapter applies, its penalties are added. A particular situation is a question for a licensed Rhode Island attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-44-26 — Willful trespass; Remaining on land after warning; Exemption for tenants holding over
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.