WALK IT THROUGH
52 Rhode Island situations taken one decision at a time. Every step says what the law asks of each side, cites it, and links to the section it comes from.
52 walkthroughs
Traffic stops, 9 walkthroughs
- The Dome Light StopA stop after dark, the interior lights, a license left at home, and insurance shown on a phone.3 steps →
- The Crash at the LightA rear end collision, a sore neck, names and licenses exchanged, a written report, and the time to sue.3 steps →
- The New DriverA permit at sixteen, the hours with a parent, a provisional license with a curfew, and a phone left alone.4 steps →
- The Phone at the Red LightA text read at a light, the meaning of driving, a ticket by mail, and what hands free allows.3 steps →
- The Cyclist on the ShoulderA narrow road, a cyclist ahead, the distance a pass needs, and the fine when care fails.3 steps →
- The School Bus MorningRed lights on a bus in the opposite lane, a parking lot, following too close, and the fine.3 steps →
- The Suspended LicenseA license suspended for an unpaid ticket, a drive to work anyway, and a ladder from civil penalties to a misdemeanor.3 steps →
- The Car Seat TicketA booster seat that wore out, a stop, a citation, and seven days to make it go away.3 steps →
- The Speeding TicketFifty miles per hour on a road with no sign, a ticket, the fine by the mile, and a second one inside a year.3 steps →
Being stopped, 2 walkthroughs
Marijuana and drugs, 2 walkthroughs
Impaired driving, 1 walkthroughs
Court and money, 21 walkthroughs
- The House With No WillA father who died without a will, a spouse's life estate, a small bank account, and creditors' six months.3 steps →
- The Will in the DrawerA will found in a desk, thirty days to bring it to court, two witnesses, and a marriage that came after it.3 steps →
- The Spouse Left OutA will that leaves a spouse a small gift, the elective share, six months after publication, and nine months at most.3 steps →
- The Mother Who Cannot DecideA stroke, a health care agent, a living will, and a guardianship hearing when there is neither.3 steps →
- The Injury on the Loading DockA back injury lifting freight, notice within thirty days, a petition within two years, and the job held open.3 steps →
- The Plant That ClosedA shutdown announced on a Friday, wages within twenty-four hours, vacation owed, and a waiting week for benefits.3 steps →
- The Quit and the ClaimA worker who quits after harassment, a coworker fired for misconduct, and eight times the weekly benefit.3 steps →
- The Promotion That Went ElsewhereA passed over employee, a charge within one year, one hundred twenty days, and ninety to sue.3 steps →
- The Short PaycheckHours missing from a check, a complaint, a firing, and twice the unpaid wages in court.3 steps →
- The Protective Order HearingA temporary order after hours, a hearing inside twenty-one days, an order for up to three years, and a violation.4 steps →
- The Move Before the DivorceA couple who moved to Rhode Island last spring, a year of residence, no fault, and a name back.3 steps →
- The Roofer at the DoorA contract signed on the porch, three days to cancel by certified mail, and a deceptive pitch.3 steps →
- The New Car in the ShopA new car that keeps stalling, repeated repairs, the first year or fifteen thousand miles, and a refund or a replacement.3 steps →
- The Collector Who Kept CallingAn old medical bill, calls all day, threats about a job, and the damages a collector owes.3 steps →
- The Old Shoplifting ChargeA misdemeanor from years ago, five clean years, fines paid, and a motion to expunge.3 steps →
- The Records RequestA request to the town for police overtime records, ten business days, a silent clerk, and a written denial.3 steps →
- The Fall on the SidewalkA stranger collapses, the duty to give help, first aid and the Good Samaritan rule.3 steps →
- The Election in NovemberA new resident, registration thirty days out, identification at the polls, and a vote back after prison.3 steps →
- The Jury SummonsA summons for jury duty, a boss who objects, an unpaid week, and a job that is protected.3 steps →
- The Truancy LetterA teenager skipping school, a letter home, the parent's fine by the day, and the school's steps first.3 steps →
- The Data Breach LetterA letter from a store about stolen card data, the timing of notice, and what a consumer can do next.3 steps →
Your home, 10 walkthroughs
- The Five Day DemandRent fifteen days late, a demand in the mail, five days to pay, and the right to cure at the hearing.3 steps →
- The Deposit That Did Not Come BackA move out, a forwarding address, twenty days of silence, and twice the amount withheld.3 steps →
- The Ceiling LeakA leak over the bathtub, written notice, twenty days, a plumber the tenant hires, and a lease that can end.3 steps →
- The Cold ApartmentA boiler out in January, notice to the landlord, space heaters or a motel, and the bill sent back.3 steps →
- The Changed LocksA key that no longer turns, belongings inside, a landlord who skipped court, and three months' rent.3 steps →
- The New Rent LetterA rent increase on a month to month lease, sixty days' notice, one hundred twenty for an older tenant, and thirty to leave.3 steps →
- The Application FeeA listing that charges to apply, a credit report already in hand, and a landlord who cannot charge.3 steps →
- The Voucher Turned AwayA housing voucher, a landlord who will not take it, a charge with the commission, and the right to sue.3 steps →
- The Landlord at the DoorA landlord who lets themselves in, two days' notice, an emergency, and a week away.3 steps →
- The Mortgage BehindMissed payments, a mediation notice, a conference inside sixty days, and the newspaper notice of a sale.3 steps →
Carrying a firearm, 3 walkthroughs
- The Pistol in the GloveboxA handgun carried from home, a stop, a license that was never applied for, and the town that issues one.3 steps →
- The Shotgun in the TruckDuck season, a loaded shotgun on a back road, a stop, and the rule for long guns along a highway.3 steps →
- The Gun in the ClosetA pistol on a closet shelf, a visiting teenager, and the difference between a civil fine and a crime.3 steps →
Charges and penalties, 3 walkthroughs
- The Messages That Would Not StopAn ex's texts at all hours, a block that does not work, cyberstalking, stalking, and a protective order.3 steps →
- The Photo That Was SharedA private photo sent in trust, a group chat, a demand for money to take it down, and the crime in each.3 steps →
- The Dog in the Hot CarA dog panting in a closed car in July, the officer who may break in, and cruelty charges.3 steps →
How you carry yourself, 1 walkthroughs
About this guide — education built from the General Laws of Rhode Island as the General Assembly publishes them, not a law degree in a webpage. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Rhode Island attorney or a legal aid office. Current as of October 2026.