Rhode Island Domestic Violence Penalties

In the state of Rhode Island, domestic violence convictions carry heavy consequences. Over the past 30 years, there have been drastic shifts in the legal authority granted to law enforcement officers. Police are now able to make warrant-less arrests when domestic violence or assaults are suspected. These changes leave the evaluation of each situation completely up to the subjective perspective of the law enforcement officer on duty.

In many cases, people are arrested without justifiable cause. These changes could result in wrongful arrest and tarnish your life forever.

(c)(1) Every person convicted of an offense punishable as a misdemeanor involving domestic violence as defined in § 12-29-2 shall:

(i) For a second violation be imprisoned for a term of not less than ten (10) days and not more than one year.

(ii) For a third and subsequent violation be deemed guilty of a felony and be imprisoned for a term of not less than one year and not more than ten (10) years.

(2) No jail sentence provided for under this section can be suspended.

If you or a loved one have been charged with domestic violence or assault call our criminal defense attorneys immediately. Schedule your complimentary case consultation. Our domestic violence lawyers and legal experts will thoroughly breakdown your case and recommend the best approach for you.

The legal ramifications of a domestic violence conviction have the power to unravel your life and your future. Don’t leave your charges to chance. We will use our years of experience to represent your best interest.