R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-13-4 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-13 / Section 12-13-4
§ 12-13-4. Persons authorized to bail jail prisoners.
Status: in_force

(a) No person imprisoned in jail upon any criminal process shall be bailed, except by a justice of the supreme or superior court, or by the justice of the district court by which the person was committed, or by some person specially appointed for that purpose by a justice of the superior court; provided, that if the amount of bail for the prisoner has previously been set, then the bail shall be taken by the justice of the peace, duly authorized, or by the senior prison officer in charge at the adult correctional institution, if the prisoner or his or her counsel request the bail be taken.

(b) In all cases where bail is taken at the adult correctional institutions, an administrative fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be paid to the department of corrections by each person bailed and shall be deposited as general revenues.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-1-2 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-1 / Section 12-1-2
§ 12-1-2. Appropriations for expenses authorized by governor.
Status: in_force

The general assembly shall annually appropriate any sums that it may deem necessary for the payment of any services that may be authorized by the governor in the execution of the laws, the detection of crime and the apprehension of offenders, not including in the appropriation the sum to be paid under § 12-1-1 as a reward for the apprehension of offenders.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-7-18 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-7 / Section 12-7-18
§ 12-7-18. Temporary detention powers of National Guard.
Status: in_force

A National Guard member of the rank of sergeant or higher who is on emergency state duty pursuant to the call of the governor may detain any person abroad who he or she has reason to suspect is committing, has committed, or is about to commit a crime, and may demand of the person his or her name, address, business abroad, and destination; and any person who fails to identify himself or herself and explain his or her actions to the satisfaction of the national guard member may be further detained and further questioned and investigated by the peace officer; provided, in no case shall the total period of the detention exceed two (2) hours, and the detention shall not be recorded as an arrest in any official record. At the end of the detention period the person so detained shall be released unless arrested and charged with a crime.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-12-1.11 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-12 / Section 12-12-1.11
§ 12-12-1.11. Indictment construed.
Status: in_force

Whenever indictment appears in the general or public laws or in rules of court, it includes the expression information filed by the attorney general or one of the attorney generals designated assistants, except where ascribing that meaning to the term indictment is inconsistent with the intent or the manner in which the term was used or otherwise is inappropriate.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-7-11 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-7 / Section 12-7-11
§ 12-7-11. Summons.
Status: in_force

(a) In any case in which a peace officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a person has committed or is committing a misdemeanor, he or she may issue a summons to the person substantially in the following form:

(b) Willful failure to appear in answer to this summons may be punished by a fine of not over fifty dollars ($50.00) or imprisonment for not over fifteen (15) days.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-19-14 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-19 / Section 12-19-14
§ 12-19-14. Violation of terms of probation  Notice to court  Revocation or continuation of suspension.
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever any person who has been placed on probation by virtue of the suspension of execution of his or her sentence pursuant to § 12-19-13 violates the terms and conditions of his or her probation as fixed by the court by being formally charged with committing a new criminal offense, the police or department of corrections division of rehabilitative services shall cause the defendant to appear before the court. The department of corrections division of rehabilitative services shall determine when a technical violation of the terms and conditions of probation as fixed by the court that does not constitute a new criminal offense has occurred and shall cause the defendant to appear before the court. For technical violations, the division of rehabilitative services shall promptly render a written report relative to the conduct of the defendant, including, as applicable, a description of the clear and articulable public safety risk posed by a defendant accused of a technical violation, and, as available, the information contained in any report under § 12-13-24.1. The division of rehabilitative services may recommend that the time served up to that point is a sufficient response to a violation that is not a new, alleged crime. The court may order the defendant held without bail for a period not exceeding ten (10) days excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays if the new criminal charge(s) constitutes a violent crime as defined in the Rhode Island General Laws, a domestic violence crime, or a crime involving driving under the influence or if the court determines in its discretion that public safety concerns and/or concerns regarding the defendants likelihood to appear before the court warrant holding the defendant without bail.

(b) The court shall conduct a hearing within thirty (30) days of arrest, unless waived by the defendant, to determine whether the defendant has violated the terms and conditions of his or her probation, at which hearing the defendant shall have the opportunity to be present and to respond. Upon a determination by a fair preponderance of the evidence that the defendant has violated the terms and conditions of his or her probation, the court, in open court and in the presence of the defendant, may as to the court may seem just and proper:

(1) Revoke the suspension and order the defendant committed on the sentence previously imposed, or on a lesser sentence;

(2) Impose a sentence if one has not been previously imposed;

(3) Stay all or a portion of the sentence imposed after removal of the suspension;

(4) Continue the suspension of a sentence previously imposed; or

(5) Convert a sentence of probation without incarceration to a suspended sentence.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-9-6 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-9 / Section 12-9-6
§ 12-9-6. Agreement to return person demanded from another state.
Status: in_force

When it is desired to have returned to this state a person charged in this state with a crime, and the person is imprisoned or is held under criminal proceedings then pending against the person in another state, the governor of this state may agree with the executive authority of the other state for the extradition of the person before the conclusion of the proceedings or his or her term of sentence in the other state upon condition that the person be returned to the other state at the expense of this state as soon as the prosecution in this state is terminated.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-10-11 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-10 / Section 12-10-11
§ 12-10-11. Default on recognizance.
Status: in_force

If the person recognized shall not appear according to the condition of the recognizance, the district court shall record the default and certify the recognizance with the record of the default to the superior court for the same county.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-27-7 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-27 / Section 12-27-7
§ 12-27-7. Hearing in answered case.
Status: in_force

If an appearance is entered and an answer filed, the court shall order the proceedings set on the calendar for a prompt hearing, which in the event a temporary restraining order has been issued, shall occur within the time limit specifically set forth in § 12-27-4. The court shall conduct the hearing in accordance with the rules of civil procedure applicable to the trial of cases by the court without a jury. At the hearing, the court shall receive evidence, pertaining to the obscenity involved, as the term obscene is defined in § 11-31-1.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-7-5 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-7 / Section 12-7-5
§ 12-7-5. Arrest on improper ground.
Status: in_force

If a lawful cause of arrest exists, the arrest shall be lawful even though the officer made the arrest on an improper ground.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-27-1 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-27 / Section 12-27-1
§ 12-27-1. Authority of attorney general.
Status: in_force

Whenever the attorney general has reasonable cause to believe that a person is engaged in the sale, exhibition, or commercial distribution of any obscene book, print, picture, film, motion picture film, magazine, pamphlet, ballad, printed paper, written material, photograph, figment, or other material, the attorney general may institute a proceeding in the superior court in the county in which the sale, exhibition, or commercial distribution of the book, print, picture, film, motion picture film, magazine, pamphlet, ballad, printed paper, written material, photograph, figment, or other material occurs for an adjudication of the obscenity of the book, print, picture, film, motion picture film, magazine, pamphlet, ballad, printed paper, written material, photograph, figment, or other material.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-33-5 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-33 / Section 12-33-5
§ 12-33-5. Funding.
Status: in_force

Any awards, amounts, or fees awarded pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall, at the direction of the court, be provided by the general treasurer from the general fund.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-16-7 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-16 / Section 12-16-7
§ 12-16-7. Certificate to summon witness from another state.
Status: in_force

If a person in any state which by its laws has made provision for commanding persons within its borders to attend and testify in criminal prosecutions or grand jury investigations commenced or about to commence in this state is a material witness in a prosecution pending in a court of record in this state or in a grand jury investigation which has commenced or is about to commence, a judge of the court may issue a certificate under the seal of the court stating these facts and specifying the number of days the witness will be required. This certificate shall be presented to a judge of a court of record in the county in which the witness is found.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-27-12 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-27 / Section 12-27-12
§ 12-27-12. Applicability.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to be a necessary prerequisite to the filing of criminal charges under any other statute.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-19-12 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-19 / Section 12-19-12
§ 12-19-12. Powers of superior court additional.
Status: in_force

The power and authority vested by §§ 12-19-8  12-19-11 in the superior court shall be deemed additional power and authority, and shall not be deemed to be in substitution or derogation of any other power and authority previously vested in the superior court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-19-23 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-19 / Section 12-19-23
§ 12-19-23. Place of imprisonment.
Status: in_force

Unless otherwise provided, every person now or hereafter sentenced to imprisonment shall be sentenced to and imprisoned in the adult correctional institutions.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-30 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-25 / Section 12-25-30
§ 12-25-30. Deposit of funds.
Status: in_force

All moneys assessed pursuant to § 12-25-28 as costs against defendants as provided in this chapter shall be paid by the clerks of the family, district and superior courts to the treasurer, who shall keep the funds in the violent crimes indemnity account. Funds received by the treasurer in excess of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) shall be made available and distributed within thirty (30) days of receipt in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-9-19 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-9 / Section 12-9-19
§ 12-9-19. Admission to bail.
Status: in_force

Unless the offense with which the prisoner is charged is shown to be an offense punishable by death or life imprisonment under the laws of the state in which it was committed, a judge in this state may admit the person arrested to bail by bond, with sufficient sureties, and in any sum that the judge deems proper, conditioned for the persons appearance before the judge at a time specified in the bond, but not later than thirty (30) days after the examination referred to in § 12-9-18, and for his or her surrender, to be arrested upon the warrant of the governor of this state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-15-10 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-15 / Section 12-15-10
§ 12-15-10. Confidential nature of financial statement.
Status: in_force

The public defender, his or her assistants, and every employee of his or her office is expressly prohibited from divulging to any individual not officially connected with his or her office any information obtained by the public defender, his or her assistants, or any employee of that office in the regular course of their duty or from any financial statement submitted under § 12-15-9 or from the records and reports of their investigation, or from the permanent records of that office, which would reveal any of the information relative to the financial status or any person submitting a financial statement. Every request for information directed to the public defender shall be denied if the request would necessitate that individual to divulge any information which is declared in this section to be held confidential by the public defender; provided, the public defender is authorized to divulge the information confidentially held by that office to the court referring a defendant in a criminal case to the public defenders office.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-7-10 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-7 / Section 12-7-10
§ 12-7-10. Resisting legal or illegal arrest.
Status: in_force

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to use force or any weapon in resisting a legal or an illegal arrest by a peace officer, if the person has reasonable ground to believe that he or she is being arrested and that the arrest is being made by a peace officer.

(b) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by both fine and imprisonment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-17-2 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-17 / Section 12-17-2
§ 12-17-2. Not guilty plea inferred.
Status: in_force

If any person on being arraigned for an offense shall stand mute or not answer directly, or shall peremptorily challenge a greater number of the persons summoned as jurors than he or she is by law entitled to challenge, the plea of not guilty shall be entered on the record, the supernumerary challenges shall be disregarded, and the trial shall proceed as if the prisoner had pleaded not guilty and as if he or she had not made the challenges.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-30-9 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-30 / Section 12-30-9
§ 12-30-9. Monitoring.
Status: in_force

The witness protection review board shall examine the status of each case involving a protected criminal witness at three (3) month intervals. Any change in the terms of confinement of the witness must be reported to the board within five (5) days of its occurrence.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-13-9 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-13 / Section 12-13-9
§ 12-13-9. Commitment of juveniles on failure to give recognizance.
Status: in_force

Any accused person, under the age of eighteen (18) years, who shall be required by any court to enter into recognizance for his or her appearance before any court and shall not give the recognizance may, at the discretion of the court, be committed to the state training school for youth, there to remain until the required recognizance is given or he or she is otherwise discharged by law. The warrant or mittimus for the commitment of any the accused person to the school shall be, as nearly as the object of the commitment will admit, in the form prescribed in § 12-19-27 for the commitment of persons sentenced to the state training schools; and the director of corrections and his or her subordinates shall have the same authority over any accused person so committed to their custody which they have by law over persons sentenced to the school, except that they shall not have authority to bind out or discharge the accused persons.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-29-5.1 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-29 / Section 12-29-5.1
§ 12-29-5.1. Oversight committee created  Composition.
Status: in_force

(a) There is created a batterers intervention standards oversight committee, referred to in this chapter as the committee pursuant to the provisions of § 12-29-5.

(b) The committee shall meet no fewer than four (4) times per year at the call of the chairperson or upon petition of a majority of committee members.

(c) The committee shall consist of thirteen (13) members to be appointed as follows: The director of the department of corrections or his or her designee who shall serve as chairperson of the committee; the director of the Rhode Island justice commission or his or her designee; the executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence or his or her designee; a representative from the law enforcement community appointed by the chairperson of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association; the attorney general or his or her designee; the director of Justice Assistance or his or her designee; a qualified elector of this state appointed by the governor; the director of the domestic violence training and monitoring unit or his or her designee; the chief justice of the supreme court or his or her designee; the director of the department of health or his or her designee; a representative of a batterers intervention program appointed by the director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence; the chief judge of the district court or his or her designee; and the director of the Urban League of Rhode Island or his or her designee.

(d) Each member of the committee may appoint a permanent designee to attend committee meetings in his or her absence. A quorum of the committee shall consist of a majority of its members.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-4-6 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-4 / Section 12-4-6
§ 12-4-6. Discharge on failure to find complaint supported by evidence  Costs.
Status: in_force

If the district court before which the warrant shall be returned, or any warrant triable before it, upon which recognizance with surety for costs may be required by it, shall not consider the complaint, after trial, to be supported by the evidence adduced, the court shall immediately discharge the accused, and, as soon as may be, tax the costs that have accrued on it, including the attendance and travel of the witnesses summoned and present or sworn on the part of the complainant, and, if the costs are not paid within ten (10) days, shall issue execution for the costs against the complainant and his or her surety, returnable in twenty (20) days from the date of execution. The costs when collected shall be paid to the clerk, if there is any, or if not, to the justice, and be paid out by the clerk or justice to the several persons having right to them, or to the general treasurer.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-17-13 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-17 / Section 12-17-13
§ 12-17-13. Jury ordered not to separate.
Status: in_force

Upon motion of the attorney general or of the attorney for the defendant in a criminal case, the court may, in its discretion, order that the jury impaneled and sworn to serve shall not be permitted to separate until discharged according to law from the further consideration of the case; provided, notwithstanding the provisions of § 8-7-2, whenever a criminal trial shall have been opened to a jury, the trial shall continue to its conclusion; and provided, further, that the jurors shall receive double pay. Sheriffs assigned to juries subject to an order not to separate shall receive double pay.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-30-12 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-30 / Section 12-30-12
§ 12-30-12. Annual report.
Status: in_force

(a) On the second Friday of January of each year, the attorney general shall submit a report to the general assembly stating the number of proposed agreements submitted to the witness protection review board during the previous year and the number of agreements approved by the board and the attorney general.

(b) In addition, the report shall provide:

(1) The number of witnesses currently in the program;

(2) The number of witnesses in the custody of the department of corrections and in the custody of the state police;

(3) The charges pending against each witness and the proposed disposition resulting from his or her cooperation;

(4) The number of indictments that have resulted from information obtained from each witness;

(5) The number of convictions that have resulted from the information obtained from each witness and the sentences imposed by the court; and

(6) An itemization of all expenditures of public funds made by or on behalf of each witness, listed by the purpose of the expenditure.

(c) The report shall not disclose the identity of any witness not already publicly known to be participating in the program, nor shall it disclose any specific information that might tend to reveal the location of the witness.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-29 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-25 / Section 12-25-29
§ 12-25-29. Use of funds to inform victims of their rights.
Status: in_force

There is appropriated to the annual budget of the administrative office of the state courts fifteen percent (15%) of the fund collected annually under § 12-25-28, not to exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), to be used at the direction of the chief justice of the supreme court for the purpose of informing the victims of crime of their rights established by chapter 28 of this title and assisting victims in the exercise of these rights. In addition, the treasurer and administrator shall seek to inform victims of violent crime of this chapter using every available means at their disposal.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-30-8 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-30 / Section 12-30-8
§ 12-30-8. Funding.
Status: in_force

The cost of maintaining a protected criminal witness in custody shall be paid by the attorney general from funds appropriated to his or her office for that purpose. Expenditures shall be monitored by the witness protection review board, which shall determine an appropriate budget for the maintenance of each witness. In determining that budget, the board shall consider the standard of living provided for inmates at the adult correctional institutions.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-21-8 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-21 / Section 12-21-8
§ 12-21-8. Plea of general issue.
Status: in_force

The defendant to an action for a penalty may plead the general issue, and under it give any special matter in evidence.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-15-6 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-15 / Section 12-15-6
§ 12-15-6. Assistant defenders.
Status: in_force

The public defender may appoint any assistants that may be deemed necessary, whose power and duties shall be similar to those imposed upon the public defender by law and shall be performed under and by the advice and direction of the public defender.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-9-13 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-9 / Section 12-9-13
§ 12-9-13. Penalty for violating § 12-9-12.
Status: in_force

Any officer who shall deliver to the agent for extradition of the demanding state a person in his or her custody under the governors warrant, in willful disobedience to § 12-9-12, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or be imprisoned not more than six (6) months, or both.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-17-3 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-17 / Section 12-17-3
§ 12-17-3. Waiver of jury trial  Special findings and rulings.
Status: in_force

In all criminal cases the accused may, if he or she shall so elect and with the leave of the court, waive a trial by jury, and in those cases the court shall have jurisdiction to hear and try the cause without a jury and render judgment and pass sentence. In cases so tried the court shall, upon request of the accused, make special finding upon any issue of fact and special ruling upon any question of law arising in the case.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-29-3 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-29 / Section 12-29-3
§ 12-29-3. Law enforcement officers  Duties and immunity.
Status: in_force

(a) The primary duty of law enforcement officers when responding to a domestic violence situation is to enforce the laws allegedly violated and to protect the victim.

(b)(1) When a law enforcement officer responds to a domestic violence situation and has probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed, the officer shall exercise arrest powers pursuant to §§12-7-3 and 12-7-4; provided, that the officer shall arrest and take into custody the alleged perpetrator of the crime when the officer has probable cause to believe that any of the following acts has occurred:

(i) A felonious assault;

(ii) An assault that has resulted in bodily injury to the victim, whether or not the injury is observable by the responding officer;

(iii) Physical action that was intended to cause another person reasonably to fear imminent serious bodily injury or death. Bodily injury means physical pain, illness, or an impairment of physical condition; or

(iv) Violation of a protective order and the violator has previous knowledge of the order and the terms of it;

(v) Violation of a no-contact order issued pursuant to §12-29-4.

(2) The decision to arrest and charge shall not:

(i) Be dependent on the specific consent of the victim;

(ii) Consider the relationship of the parties; or

(iii) Be based solely on a request by the victim.

(3) An arrest without warrant made under this section shall be made within twenty-four (24) hours of the alleged crime.

(4) If an arrest without warrant cannot be made pursuant to this section, the officer shall advise the victim of the right to file a criminal complaint and shall seek a warrant for arrest if there is probable cause to do so.

(c)(1) When more than one family or household member involved in a domestic violence incident states a complaint, the officer shall investigate each complaint to determine whether there is probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. The officer shall not dismiss the incident by presuming two-party (2) guilt.

(2) When the officer has probable cause to believe that family or household members have assaulted each other, the officer is not required to arrest both persons. The officer shall arrest the person whom the officer believes to be the primary physical aggressor.

(d) A law enforcement officer shall not be held liable for false arrest in any civil action for an arrest based on probable cause or for enforcement in good faith of a court order issued pursuant to this chapter or pursuant to §15-5-19, chapter 15 of title 15, or chapter 8.1 of title 8.

(e) It shall be the responsibility of the law enforcement officer at the scene of a domestic violence incident to provide immediate assistance to the victim. This assistance shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) Assisting the victim to obtain medical treatment if treatment is required, including transportation to an emergency medical treatment facility;

(2) Giving the victim notice of her or his right to obtain a protective order in family court pursuant to chapter 15 of title 15 or district court pursuant to chapter 8.1 of title 8 as appropriate according to the relationship of the parties. This notice shall be provided by handing the victim a copy of the following statement written in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Cambodian, Hmong, Laotian, Vietnamese, and French and by reading the notice to that person when possible:

If you are in need of medical treatment, you have the right to have the officer present drive you to the nearest hospital or otherwise assist you.

If you believe that police protection is needed for your physical safety, you have the right to have the officer present remain at the scene until you and your children can leave or until your safety is otherwise obtained.

You have the right to file a criminal complaint with the responding officer or your local police department if the officer has not arrested the perpetrator.

Married/blood relatives/children in common. If your attacker is your spouse, former spouse, person to whom you are related by blood or marriage, or if you are not married to your attacker, but have a child in common, you have the right to go to family court and ask the court to issue:

(i) An order restraining your attacker from abusing you or your minor child;

(ii) An order awarding you exclusive use of your domicile; and

(iii) An order awarding you custody of your minor child(ren).

Unmarried. If you are not married or related to your attacker, but have resided with him or her within the past three (3) years, or you or your attacker are in, or have been in, a substantive dating or engagement relationship within the past one year, you have the right to go to district court and request:

(i) An order restraining your attacker from abusing you; and

(ii) An order directing your attacker to leave your household, unless he or she has the sole legal interest in the household;

(3) Informing the victim of available services; and

(4) In cases where the officer has determined that no cause exists for an arrest, assistance shall also include:

(i) Remaining at the scene as long as there is danger to the safety of the person or until the person is able to leave the dwelling. The officer shall transport the person if no reasonable transportation is available; and

(ii) Informing the person that she or he has the right to file a criminal complaint with the responding officer or the local police department.

(f) An officer responding to a domestic violence call shall complete a domestic violence report pursuant to §12-29-8.

(g)(1) It shall be the responsibility of the attorney general to develop a model Uniform Policy for Police Response to Domestic Violence which is consistent with the provisions of this section. This written policy shall be developed after conferring with the staff of the department of human services domestic violence unit and with the council on domestic violence and shall be made available to any law enforcement agency.

(2) Each law enforcement agency shall develop a Policy for Police Response to Domestic Violence which is consistent with the Uniform Policy for Police Response to Domestic Violence developed by the attorney general and shall file a copy of the policy with the attorney general within sixty (60) days of receiving the model policy.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-1-17 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-1 / Section 12-1-17
§ 12-1-17. Background checks for employees of religious organizations.
Status: in_force

(a) In order to assist Rhode Islands religious organizations and houses of worship (hereinafter religious organization) with the ability to ensure that their staff, teachers, and employees are of good moral character, all persons eighteen (18) years of age or older seeking to work or volunteer for any religious organization shall, at the specific request of the religious organization, be required to undergo a national criminal background check for the purpose of determining whether the prospective employee or volunteer has been convicted of any crime.

(1) Participation of any religious organization with the system of background checks created by this section is voluntary and any decision to request a national background check for any person may be made at the sole discretion of the religious organization.

(2) Disqualifying information for purposes of this section shall mean those offenses included in §§ 23-17-37, 11-37-1  11-37-8.4, and §§ 11-9-1  11-9-5.3.

(b) Any religious organization may require any applicant for employment or volunteer activity, if that employment or activity involves routine contact with minors, to apply to the bureau of criminal identification (BCI), the department of the attorney general, the state police, or the local police department for a nationwide criminal records check. The check shall conform to the applicable federal standards, including the requirement that the applicant provide a set of fingerprints to facilitate the background check.

(1) It shall be the responsibility of the BCI to conduct the national criminal identification check within fourteen (14) days of the applicants request.

(c) If any disqualifying information is discovered with respect to the applicant, the BCI shall inform the religious organization in writing, without disclosing the nature of the disqualifying information, that an item of disqualifying nature has been discovered. In addition, the BCI shall inform the applicant, in writing, of the nature of the disqualifying information.

(1) Upon receipt of the disqualifying information from the BCI, the applicant may, within twenty (20) days of receipt thereof, request that the BCI provide a copy of the information to the religious organization which will have the discretion to determine whether the applicant is eligible for employment or volunteer status.

(d) If no disqualifying information is found upon completion of the background check, the BCI shall notify both the applicant and the religious organization, in writing, of this fact.

(e) Upon completion of the background check, and after the twenty-day (20) period referenced in subsection (c)(1) of this section, the BCI shall promptly destroy the fingerprints provided by the applicant.

(f) No religious organization that disqualifies an individual from employment or volunteer activity as a result of its receipt of disqualifying information, shall be liable for civil damages or subject to any claim, cause of action, or proceeding of any nature, as a result of such disqualification.

(g) The applicant shall be responsible for the costs of conducting the nationwide criminal records check.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-16-11 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-16 / Section 12-16-11
§ 12-16-11. Exemption from process of witnesses passing through state.
Status: in_force

A person passing through this state while going to another state in obedience to a summons or order to attend and testify in that state or while returning from testifying, shall not, while so passing through this state, be subject to arrest or the service of process, civil or criminal, in connection with matters which arose before his or her entrance into this state under the summons or order.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-22-9 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-22 / Section 12-22-9
§ 12-22-9. Appeals from courts having jurisdiction of ordinance violations.
Status: in_force

All appeals from any court having jurisdiction of offenses against town or city ordinances shall be taken and shall proceed according to the provisions of this chapter, and in those appeals the recognizance may be taken by either of the officers or persons designated and authorized to take recognizances.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-7-14 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-7 / Section 12-7-14
§ 12-7-14. Punitive damages for false arrest or imprisonment.
Status: in_force

In an action for false arrest or false imprisonment, the plaintiff, if successful, may be awarded punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-2-3 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-2 / Section 12-2-3
§ 12-2-3. Power to preserve order.
Status: in_force

(a) Railroad police officers may:

(1) Preserve order within and upon the premises and cars of the corporation upon whose petition they were appointed;

(2) Arrest without a warrant intoxicated or disorderly persons frequenting the premises or cars and by their presence or conduct, or by profane or indecent language obstructing or annoying travelers using them; and

(3) Take the persons to the nearest police station or other place of lawful detention.

(b) In addition to these powers, railroad police officers shall possess and exercise any other powers to arrest without a warrant on the premises, cars, vehicles, or any property in the custody or control of the corporations or companies and upon streets, highways, and lands immediately abutting the property or premises, that are conferred on police officers of the cities and towns of the state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-1-4 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-1 / Section 12-1-4
§ 12-1-4. Division of criminal identification  Chief and assistants.
Status: in_force

There shall be a division of criminal identification in the department of the attorney general to be in charge of a chief who shall be appointed by the attorney general to serve at the pleasure of the attorney general, and who shall devote all of his or her time to the duties of his or her office. The chief with the approval of the attorney general may appoint any assistants that he or she may deem necessary to carry out the work of the division, within the limits of any appropriation made for that purpose, and may with the approval of the attorney general discontinue the employment of any assistants at any time. The chief shall perform the functions required by the provisions of this chapter. In addition to availability of records to law enforcement agencies and officers, the records shall be made available to any attorney of record in any criminal action, and any officials of businesses which are required by federal or state law or regulation to effectuate a criminal background check of potential or prospective employees. The information shall be confidential and shall be used only by the employer for the employees application of employment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-18-2 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-18 / Section 12-18-2
§ 12-18-2. Return of probationers or parolees from outside state.
Status: in_force

Whenever any person who has been placed in custody of the director of corrections or the directors designee or of a probation officer by any court in this state, or has been paroled by the parole board, has left this state while in custody or while on parole, the director or designee, in his or her discretion, with the advice of the attorney general, is authorized to cause the person to be brought back to this state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-15-11 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-15 / Section 12-15-11
§ 12-15-11. Penalty for false representation.
Status: in_force

Whoever knowingly makes a false statement or representation to the public defender, assistants, or any employee of that office to obtain the legal services of the public defender or one of his or her assistants under this chapter, either for himself or herself or for any other person, shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than three hundred dollars ($300), or by imprisonment not longer than thirty (30) days, or both. Each false statement or representation shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-4-1 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-4 / Section 12-4-1
§ 12-4-1. Examination on complaint of threat to commit offense.
Status: in_force

Whenever complaint shall be made to any judge of the district court, or to any justice of the peace authorized to issue warrants within a division, that any person has, within the division, threatened to commit any crime or offense against the person or property of another, the judge or justice of the peace shall examine the complainant under oath or affirmation, and require his or her statement to be reduced to writing and be subscribed and sworn to by the complainant.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-21-1 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-21 / Section 12-21-1
§ 12-21-1. Methods of recovering fines and forfeitures.
Status: in_force

Unless otherwise specially provided:

(1) All fines of five hundred dollars ($500) and under shall be recovered by complaint and summons;

(2) All fines of upwards of five hundred dollars ($500), by indictment or information;

(3) All penalties and pecuniary forfeitures, by action of debt; and

(4) All forfeitures of personal property, by complaint and warrant or by information.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-29-4.1 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-29 / Section 12-29-4.1
§ 12-29-4.1. Speedy trial.
Status: in_force

In any action under this chapter, the court and the attorney generals office shall take appropriate action to ensure a speedy trial to minimize the length of time the victim must endure the stress of involvement in the proceeding. In ruling on any motion or request for a delay or continuance of proceedings, the court shall consider any adverse impact the delay or continuance may have on the well-being of the victim. This provision establishes a right to a speedy trial to the victim and shall not be construed as creating any additional rights for, or diminishing any rights of the defendant.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-9-29 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-9 / Section 12-9-29
§ 12-9-29. Immunity from civil process arising out of occurrence for which extradited.
Status: in_force

A person brought into this state by, or after waiver of, extradition based on a criminal charge shall not be subject to service of personal process in civil actions arising out of the same facts as the criminal proceedings to answer which he or she is being or has been returned, until he or she has been convicted in the criminal proceeding, or, if acquitted, until he or she has had reasonable opportunity to return to the state from which he or she was extradited.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-29-1.1 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-29 / Section 12-29-1.1
§ 12-29-1.1. Full faith and credit.
Status: in_force

(a) Any protective order issued by another jurisdiction, as defined in § 12-29-2, shall be given full faith and credit throughout the state and enforced as if it were issued in the state for as long as the order is in effect in the issuing jurisdiction.

(b) A person entitled to protection under a protective order issued by another jurisdiction may file the order in the superior court, family court, or district court by filing with the court a certified copy of the order which shall be entered into the restraining order, no contact order system (R.O.N.C.O.). The person shall swear under oath in an affidavit, to the best of the persons knowledge, that the order is presently in effect as written. A law enforcement officer shall presume the validity of the order and enforce the order issued by another jurisdiction which has been provided to the law enforcement officer; provided, that the officer is also provided with a statement by the person protected by the order that the order remains in effect. Law enforcement officers shall rely on the statement by the person protected by the order.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-21-14 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-21 / Section 12-21-14
§ 12-21-14. Forfeiture for failure to account.
Status: in_force

Every clerk who shall neglect or refuse to account with the city or town treasurer as required in this chapter, or to pay over to him or her all moneys due the city or town at the time when they ought to be paid, shall forfeit thrice the amount of the moneys so withheld or not paid, to be recovered by an action of debt for the use of the city or town.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-14-11 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-14 / Section 12-14-11
§ 12-14-11. Violations of parking regulations in the town of Barrington.
Status: in_force

The town of Barrington is authorized and empowered to fix any fines that the Barrington town council may, from time to time, establish for violation of any provision of the ordinances relating to parking. The town council may designate the police department for the purpose of collecting fines as provided in this section, when the offender desires to dispose of the charge without personal appearance in court, within seven (7) days from notification. The police department is authorized to receive the fines, directly or by mail, from any person charged with violation of any provision of the ordinances of the town relating to traffic, and the money so received and collected shall be turned over by the police to the town treasurer of Barrington. All charges, records, and payments shall be immediately entered by the police in their books containing records of violations, and their disposition, and money received as fines shall be audited not less than once every three (3) months by the town treasurer of the town. In the event the offender refuses or neglects to dispose of the charges within seven (7) days, then he or she shall be brought before the district court of the state of Rhode Island, first division, for trial and for any disposition of the case that the court may decide to be proper, in which case the provisions of § 12-14-1, relating to fines and their disposition, shall prevail.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-12-1.2 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-12 / Section 12-12-1.2
§ 12-12-1.2. Felonies  Less than capital or life, penalty.
Status: in_force

Except for offenses punishable by death or by a term of life imprisonment or offenses arising in the land or naval forces or in the militia in actual service in time of war or public danger, an offense which may be punished by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year and/or by a fine exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) may be prosecuted by indictment or information signed by the attorney general or one of the attorney generals designated assistants.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-21-2 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-21 / Section 12-21-2
§ 12-21-2. Limitation of prosecutions.
Status: in_force

All suits or prosecutions founded upon any penal statute, which are wholly or in part for the use of the prosecutor, shall be brought within one year, and all other suits and prosecutions on a penal statute within two (2) years after the commission of the offense, unless otherwise specially provided.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-19-36 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-19 / Section 12-19-36
§ 12-19-36. Payment to violent crimes indemnity fund.
Status: in_force

Whenever any person pleads nolo contendere to either a felony or misdemeanor, the court accepting the plea may, in lieu of imposing the fine authorized by statute for the offense, order the person to pay an amount not to exceed the maximum fine permitted by statute to the violent crimes indemnity fund established by chapter 25 of this title. The obligation to make a payment to the fund shall be considered a civil penalty and shall not constitute a sentence in the criminal case.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-9-26 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-9 / Section 12-9-26
§ 12-9-26. Application for requisition of person charged with crime.
Status: in_force

When the return to this state of a person charged with a crime in this state is required, the attorney general shall present to the governor his or her written application for a requisition for the return of the person charged, in which application shall be stated the name of the person so charged, the crime charged against the person, the approximate time, place and circumstances of its commission, the state in which the person is believed to be, including the location of the accused in that state at the time the application is made, and certifying that, in the opinion of the attorney general, the ends of justice require the arrest and return of the accused to this state for trial and that the proceeding is not instituted to enforce a private claim.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-14-7 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-14 / Section 12-14-7
§ 12-14-7. Violations of Pawtucket ordinances.
Status: in_force

The city of Pawtucket is authorized and empowered to fix any fines that the public safety commission of the city of Pawtucket may, from time to time, establish for violation of traffic ordinances. The police department shall collect fines as provided in this section, when the offender decides to dispose of the charge without personal appearance in court within seven (7) days from notification. The police department is authorized to receive fines directly from any person charged with a violation of any provision of the ordinance of the city relating to traffic, and the money so received and collected shall be turned over by the police to the city treasurer. All charges, records, and payments shall be immediately entered by the police, and the books of the police containing the records of the violations, their disposition, and money received as fines, shall be audited not less than once every three (3) months by the city auditor of the city. In the event the offender refuses or neglects to dispose of the charges within seven (7) days, then he or she shall be brought before the district court for the fifth division for trial and for any disposition of the case that the court may decide to be proper, in which case the provisions of § 12-14-1, relating to fines and their disposition, shall prevail.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-12-1.5 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-12 / Section 12-12-1.5
§ 12-12-1.5. Informations  Exhibits to be attached.
Status: in_force

When an offense is prosecuted by information, the attorney general shall attach to the information any exhibits, such as affidavits sworn to before the attorney general or one of his or her designated assistants, documents, photographs, recordings, or other materials or copies of them, upon which the attorney general relies to demonstrate the existence of probable cause to believe that the offense charged in the information has been committed and that the defendant committed it.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-7-16 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-7 / Section 12-7-16
§ 12-7-16. Arrest or seizure after commission of offense.
Status: in_force

The authority given to any one to arrest any person or seize anything, while the person is actually engaged or the thing is actually used or employed in the commission of any offense, shall not be so construed as to prevent, if not so arrested or seized, the arrest of the person or the seizure of the thing after the commission of the offense, upon due process of law.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-16-13 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-16 / Section 12-16-13
§ 12-16-13. Severability.
Status: in_force

If any part of this chapter is for any reason declared void, its invalidity shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-33-3 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-33 / Section 12-33-3
§ 12-33-3. Presentation of claim.
Status: in_force

All claims of wrongful conviction and imprisonment under this chapter shall be presented to and heard by the presiding justice of the superior court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-31-1 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-31 / Section 12-31-1
§ 12-31-1. Community restitution.
Status: in_force

The general assembly declares that the words public community service which appear through this title shall now be substituted with and referred to as public community restitution.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-21-15 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-21 / Section 12-21-15
§ 12-21-15. Access of city or town treasurer to district court records.
Status: in_force

The city or town treasurer of any city or town in the division in which the district court is situated shall have access at all times to all books and papers in the office of the division, and may examine them for the purpose of verifying the returns of the clerk.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-5-10 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-5 / Section 12-5-10
§ 12-5-10. Electronic communication services.
Status: in_force

(a) Based on probable cause, a warrant may be issued to corporations located outside the state of Rhode Island that provide electronic communication services to the general public in connection with any communications sent to or received by customers or recipients located in Rhode Island. The warrant may require the provision of customer identity, data stored by or on behalf of the customer, the customers usage of those services, the recipient or destination of communications sent to or from those customers, or the content of those communications.

(b) Any warrant issued under this section shall be honored within the state of Rhode Island and also in any foreign jurisdiction which has any law in place providing for the honoring of such warrants.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-29-9 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-29 / Section 12-29-9
§ 12-29-9. Medical data collection reports.
Status: in_force

(a)(1) For the purpose of documenting incidents of family violence resulting in injuries treated at medical facilities or by medical providers and of providing statistically valid information on the extent of family violence, the domestic violence training and monitoring unit of the court system shall prescribe a form for making medical data collection reports. The form shall include, but is not limited to the following:

(i) Relationship of the parties;

(ii) Sex of the parties;

(iii) Date of birth of the parties;

(iv) Time and date of the incident;

(v) Whether the incident is verified by the victim;

(vi) Type of injuries;

(vii) Whether medical attention or hospitalization is required;

(viii) Whether the victim has previously sustained injuries as a result of family violence;

(ix) Action taken;

(x) Source of the report;

(xi) Address of the reporter.

(2) The report shall not contain the name of the parties nor any other identifying information.

(b) A report shall be completed for any victim being treated for injuries which the victim states resulted from domestic violence or which the mandated medical provider has reasonable cause to believe resulted from domestic violence.

(c) The report shall be submitted to the unit on a quarterly basis for quarters ending on September 30, December 31, March 31, and June 30.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-32-6 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-32 / Section 12-32-6
§ 12-32-6. Immunity from liability.
Status: in_force

No cause of action shall lie in any court against a service provider or such providers officers, employees, agents, or other specified persons, for providing information, facilities, or assistance in accordance with the terms of any court order, warrant, or for providing information in reliance on representations by law enforcement that the location information may be obtained without a warrant pursuant to § 12-32-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-22-2 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-22 / Section 12-22-2
§ 12-22-2. Notation as to time of claiming appeal  Transmission of claim.
Status: in_force

If an appeal is claimed in the court or in the office of the clerk of the court appealed from, the claim and the time when made shall be noted upon the complaint, and also upon the mittimus, if any, issued upon the sentence appealed from; and if claimed at any other place, it shall be claimed in writing, and the person before whom it is claimed shall note upon the claim of appeal the time when made and shall immediately transmit the claim to the court which passed the sentence.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-26-4 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-26 / Section 12-26-4
§ 12-26-4. Duties.
Status: in_force

The duties of the commission shall include:

(1) Completion and publication of a comparative analysis of Rhode Islands criminal procedures and practices with those standards for criminal justice recommended by the American Bar Association and by the Presidents National Advisory Commission on Criminal Justice Standards and Goals;

(2) Conducting a study for the purpose of revising the statutes relating to crimes and punishments;

(3) Conducting a study of sentencing criteria and procedures;

(4) Reviewing court organization;

(5) Developing a comprehensive strategy to resolve problems encountered in the administration of criminal justice;

(6) Studying any matter relating to the criminal justice system deemed worthy by the commission; and

(7) Recommending legislation and rules of court for the improvement of criminal justice.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-8-6 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-8 / Section 12-8-6
§ 12-8-6. Severability.
Status: in_force

If any part of this chapter is for any reason declared void, it is declared to be the intent of this chapter that its invalidity shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-18-1 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-18 / Section 12-18-1
§ 12-18-1. Placement of offenders under director of corrections.
Status: in_force

It shall be lawful for any court in the state, at any time before sentence, to provisionally place any offender, juvenile or adult, who can lawfully be admitted to bail, under the control and supervision of the director of corrections or the directors designee or any probation officer that the director may designate, and whenever any offender shall be placed in the custody or under the control and supervision of the director or designee or of any designated probation officer, the director or designee and the probation officer shall have and exercise the same rights and powers in relation to the offender as are or may be possessed by a surety on a recognizance.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-7-21 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-7 / Section 12-7-21
§ 12-7-21. Peace officer defined.
Status: in_force

Peace officer, as used within this chapter, means the following individuals or members of:

(1) Rhode Island state police;

(2) Any member of a municipal or local police department;

(3) Rhode Island airport corporation police;

(4) Rhode Island park police;

(5) Rhode Island capitol police;

(6) Rhode Island conservation officers;

(7) Rhode Island department of environmental management officers;

(8) Rhode Island fire marshals;

(9) Brown University police officers;

(10) University of Rhode Island campus police officers;

(11) Rhode Island College campus security;

(12) Campus security at the Community College of Rhode Island;

(13) Rhode Island sheriffs department;

(14) The investigators of the department of attorney general appointed pursuant to § 42-9-8.1;

(15) Any federal law enforcement officer;

(16) Correctional investigators, chief inspector and inspectors within the office of inspections, and correctional officers of the Rhode Island department of corrections;

(17) The witness protection coordinator of the department of attorney general;

(18) The warden, associate wardens, majors, captains, lieutenants, sergeants, correctional officers and investigators employed by a project operated by a municipal detention facility corporation, including, but not limited to, the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility; provided, such parties listed in this subsection (18) herein shall be deemed to be peace officers while in performance of their duties for the municipal detention facility only, and shall not be deemed to be peace officers at any time when they are not in performance of said duties;

(19) Retired non-permanent sworn members of any municipal police department shall be deemed to be peace officers only while in the performance of their duties for any municipal police department, and shall be permitted to carry their firearm while in the performance of their duties for the municipal police department, and shall be subject to in-service training requirements of title 42, chapter 28;

(20) Auto theft investigators appointed pursuant to § 31-50-1;

(21) Providence fire department arson investigators; provided, that the arson investigator is a graduate of a police-training academy; and

(22) Rhode Island School of Design police officers.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-23-6 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-23 / Section 12-23-6
§ 12-23-6. Advisory committees  Hearings  General powers.
Status: in_force

The commission may appoint advisory committees of judges, lawyers, or lay persons to consider and report upon special subjects within the scope of the study and survey, and may hold hearings and compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books and papers and generally shall have any authority and power that may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-23-3 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-23 / Section 12-23-3
§ 12-23-3. Organization meeting  Chairperson.
Status: in_force

The members of the commission shall meet for organization at the call of the secretary within two (2) weeks after each appointment by the governor, and shall at the meeting elect a chairperson who shall hold office during the pleasure of the commission.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-19-21 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-19 / Section 12-19-21
§ 12-19-21. Habitual criminals.
Status: in_force

(a) If any person who has been previously convicted in this or any other state of two (2) or more felony offenses arising from separate and distinct incidents and sentenced on two (2) or more occasions to serve a term in prison is, after the convictions and sentences, convicted in this state of any offense punished by imprisonment for more than one year, that person shall be deemed a habitual criminal. Upon conviction, the person deemed a habitual criminal shall be punished by imprisonment in the adult correctional institutions for a term not exceeding twenty-five (25) years, in addition to any sentence imposed for the offense of which he or she was last convicted. No conviction and sentence for which the person has subsequently received a pardon granted on the ground that he or she was innocent shall be considered a conviction and sentence for the purpose of determining whether the person is a habitual criminal.

(b) Whenever it appears a person shall be deemed a habitual criminal, the attorney general, within forty-five (45) days of the arraignment, but in no case later than the date of the pretrial conference, may file with the court a notice specifying that the defendant, upon conviction, is subject to the imposition of an additional sentence in accordance with this section; provided, that in no case shall the fact that the defendant is alleged to be a habitual offender be an issue upon the trial of the defendant, nor shall it be disclosed to the jury. Upon any plea of guilty or nolo contendere or verdict or finding of guilty of the defendant, a hearing shall be held by the court sitting without a jury to determine whether the person so convicted is a habitual criminal. Notice shall be given to the defendant and the attorney general at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing. Duly authenticated copies of former judgments and commitments which comprise the two (2) or more prior convictions and imprisonments required under this section shall be prima facie evidence of the defendants former convictions and imprisonments. If it appears by a preponderance of the evidence presented that the defendant is a habitual criminal under this section, he or she shall be sentenced by the court to an additional consecutive term of imprisonment not exceeding twenty-five (25) years; and provided further, that the court shall order the defendant to serve a minimum number of years of the sentence before he or she becomes eligible for parole.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-19-22 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-19 / Section 12-19-22
§ 12-19-22. Infliction of punishment on sentence.
Status: in_force

The various punishments prescribed for offenses shall be inflicted upon the offender upon the sentence of a court of competent jurisdiction.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-30.1 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-25 / Section 12-25-30.1
§ 12-25-30.1. Disclosure of records as to claims; confidentiality.
Status: in_force

All medical records, mental health counseling records, employment information, personal financial information and investigative records received, obtained or maintained by the administrator in connection with any application for compensation shall be maintained as confidential investigative material and shall not be released or disclosed to any person or entity whatsoever, except as authorized by the applicant or as otherwise provided by law. The application and the notice of award or denial shall be deemed public records.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-17-11 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-17 / Section 12-17-11
§ 12-17-11. Commitment of witness on presumption of perjury.
Status: in_force

Whenever it shall appear to any court of record that any witness or party who has been legally sworn or affirmed and examined or has made an affidavit in the proceeding before the court has testified in such a manner as to induce a reasonable presumption that he or she has been guilty of perjury in the proceeding, the court may immediately commit the witness or party by an order or process for that purpose, or may take a recognizance with surety for his or her appearance to answer an indictment or information for perjury.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-32-3 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-32 / Section 12-32-3
§ 12-32-3. Notice.
Status: in_force

(a) Unless delayed under subsection (b), notice to the affected customer or subscriber is required not later than five (5) days after an agent of the state, or any political subdivision of the state, receives location information under this chapter that is obtained with or without a warrant; provided no notice shall be required if the location information was obtained pursuant to § 12-32-4(a). The agent of the state, or any political subdivision of the state, shall serve the following upon, or deliver to, the affected customer or subscriber by registered mail, or first-class mail, or electronic mail, or any other means permitted by the court issuing the warrant to be as effective:

(1) A copy of the warrant, if applicable; and

(2) A statement of the general nature of the law enforcement inquiry; and

(3) If applicable, an affirmation that location information maintained by a service provider was supplied to a law enforcement officer; and

(4) If such location information was obtained, an identification of the service provider from which the information was obtained; and

(5) If applicable, a statement indicating the identifying number associated with the electronic device; and

(6) If applicable, the dates for which the location information was supplied; and

(7) A statement of whether notification of such customer(s) or subscriber(s) was delayed pursuant to subsection (b); and

(8) If applicable, an identification of the court that made the certification or determination pursuant to which that delay was made.

(b) Delay of notification. An agent of the state, or any political subdivision of the state, acting under this chapter may include in the application a request for an order delaying the notification required pursuant to this section for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days, and the court shall issue the order if the court determines that there is reason to believe that notification of the existence of the warrant may have an adverse result.

(c) Upon expiration of the period of delay granted under this section, the agent of the state, or any political subdivision of the state, shall provide the affected customer(s) or subscriber(s) a copy of the warrant, together with any notice required.

(d) Preclusion of notice to subject of governmental access. An agent of the state, or any political subdivision of the state, acting under this chapter may include in the application a request for an order directing a service provider to which a warrant is directed not to notify any other person of the existence of the warrant for a period of not more than ninety (90) days, and the court shall issue the order if the court determines that there is reason to believe that notification of the existence of the warrant may have an adverse result.

(e) The court may, upon application, grant one or more extensions of orders granted under this chapter for an additional ninety (90) days.

(f) Failure to comply with the notice provisions shall not be grounds for the suppression of any evidence.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-15-2 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-15 / Section 12-15-2
§ 12-15-2. Appointment and term of public defender.
Status: in_force

The governor with the advice and consent of the senate shall appoint a member of the bar of this state who has been admitted to practice law for at least five (5) years to fill the office of the public defender. The public defender shall serve a term of six (6) years and until a successor is appointed and qualified.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-16-6 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-16 / Section 12-16-6
§ 12-16-6. Punishment for disobedience of summons.
Status: in_force

If a witness, who is summoned as provided in this chapter, after being paid or tendered by some properly authorized person the sum of ten cents ($0.10) a mile for each mile and five dollars ($5.00) for each day that he or she is required to travel and attend as a witness, fails without good cause to attend and testify as directed in the summons, he or she shall be punished in the manner provided for the punishment of any witness who disobeys a summons issued from a court of record in this state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-5-1 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-5 / Section 12-5-1
§ 12-5-1. Authority to issue.
Status: in_force

(a) A search warrant may be issued by any judge of the district court. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be so construed as to restrain the power of the justices of the supreme or superior courts by virtue of § 8-3-6 to issue a search warrant.

(b) Nothing contained in this chapter shall be so construed as to restrain the power of the justices of the family court by virtue of §§ 8-10-3, 8-10-4, 8-10-38, and 11-9-9 to issue a search warrant.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-27-2 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-27 / Section 12-27-2
§ 12-27-2. Contents of petition.
Status: in_force

The proceedings shall be instituted by filing with the court a petition:

(1) Directed against the book, print, picture, films, motion picture film, magazine, pamphlet, ballard, printed paper, written material, photograph, figment, or other material;

(2) Alleging its obscene nature; and

(3) Listing the names and addresses if known, of the author, publisher, and all other persons interested in its sale, exhibition, or commercial distribution.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-1-3 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-1 / Section 12-1-3
§ 12-1-3. Rewards offered by towns and cities.
Status: in_force

Every town council of any town, or mayor of any city acting with the advice of the city council, may offer a suitable reward, not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) in any one case, for the detention, apprehension and conviction of any offender committing a high crime or misdemeanor within the limits of the town or city, to be paid by the town treasurer or city treasurer upon the order of the town council, or mayor and city council, out of any funds of the town or city not otherwise specifically appropriated.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-9-18 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-9 / Section 12-9-18
§ 12-9-18. Commitment awaiting requisition.
Status: in_force

If, from the examination before the judge, it appears that the person being held is the person charged with having committed the alleged crime and, except in cases arising under §§ 12-9-7 and 12-9-8, that the person has fled from justice, the judge must, by a warrant reciting the accusation, commit him or her to the adult correctional institutions for a time not exceeding thirty (30) days and specified in the warrant, as will enable the arrest of the accused to be made under a warrant of the governor or on requisition of the executive authority of the state having jurisdiction of the offense, unless the accused give bail as provided in § 12-9-19, or until he or she shall be legally discharged.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-20-10 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-20 / Section 12-20-10
§ 12-20-10. Remission of costs  Indigency  Limited ability to pay  Inherent power  Prohibition against remitting order of restitution.
Status: in_force

(a) The payment of court costs, assessments, and fees in criminal cases shall, upon application or sworn testimony, presented during sentencing or any time thereafter, be remitted in whole based on a determination that a defendant is indigent pursuant to the standards set forth in this section.

(1) Qualification for and/or receipt of any of the following benefits or services by the defendant shall be prima facie evidence of the defendants indigency:

(i) Temporary assistance to needy families;

(ii) Social security including supplemental security income and state supplemental payments program;

(iii) Public assistance;

(iv) Disability insurance; or

(v) Food stamps.

(2) The superior and district courts may establish additional criteria and/or procedures for the determination of an ability to pay and for the administration of this section.

(b) If a defendant is not indigent, the payment of court costs, assessments, and fees in criminal cases may, upon sworn testimony or application during sentencing or any time thereafter, be remitted in whole or in part by any justice of the superior or district court or the justices designee pursuant to a determination of limited or inability to pay based upon the standards set forth in this section, or any other considerations the court may deem appropriate. Provided further that any judge of a district court may remit the court costs, assessments, and fees in criminal case(s) pending in his or her court, or in the case of any prisoner sentenced by the court, where no appeal of the sentence has been taken.

(1) In making its assessment of a defendants limited or inability to pay, the court may consider the defendants good faith efforts to pay, and/or his or her outstanding court orders for payments in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) or more for any of the following:

(i) Restitution payments to the victims of crime;

(ii) Child support payments;

(iii) Payments for any counseling required as a condition of the sentence imposed including, but not limited to, substance abuse, mental health, and domestic violence; or

(iv) Fines imposed as part of the sentence.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, this section shall not limit the courts inherent power to remit any fine, court costs, fees, assessments, or other costs of prosecution, provided no order of restitution shall be suspended by the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-21-7 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-21 / Section 12-21-7
§ 12-21-7. Residence of court member in city or town to be benefited.
Status: in_force

In actions for the recovery of any penalty or forfeiture before any court, it shall be no cause of exception that any member of the court resides or has property in the city or town in which the offense was committed, or that the penalty or any part of the penalty is recoverable to the use of the city or town.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-10-2 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-10 / Section 12-10-2
§ 12-10-2. Powers of justices of the peace.
Status: in_force

(a)(1) The chief judge of the district court shall, from time to time, appoint, with power to revoke the appointments, from those qualified justices of the peace who shall be members of the bar of the state of Rhode Island within the cities and towns and divisions of the district court, as many justices of the peace as he or she may deem necessary, who shall be authorized to set and take bail in all complaints bailable before a division of the district court, except those offenses punishable by life imprisonment and, in default of bail, to commit to the adult correctional institutions all respondents arrested on those complaints. The chief judge shall authorize the justices of the peace, so appointed by him or her, to issue warrants and complaints returnable to the division of the district court for any offense for which, by law, a judge of the district court may issue a warrant and complaint, and all warrants so issued, and all warrants and complaints upon which bail is taken or commitments are made, shall be immediately returned to the divisions; provided, that the justices of the peace shall not in any case, or for any purpose, have the power to issue search warrants. The justices of the peace may also set and take bail, as provided in this section, and commit and issue warrants (except search warrants), in any division where the defendant is being held by the state police, the metropolitan park police, conservation officers of the department of environmental management, a sheriff or deputy sheriff, the capitol police, the campus security forces of the state colleges and universities, or city or town police forces.

(2) Whenever probable cause exists that a defendant is a violator of bail and/or probation in the district court or superior court, upon being presented with a violation report by the attorney general or the attorney generals transmission of a violation report to the arresting agency or place of presentment, and upon making a finding that the defendant is subject to violation of bail and/or probation and that probable cause exists on the new charge being brought, the justice of the peace shall issue his or her writ of mittimus confining the defendant without bail and issue a writ of habeas corpus returnable to the next sitting of the district court and make a finding of probable violation in writing. If the attorney general transmits the violation report to the arresting agency or place of presentment, the law enforcement agency shall ensure that the defendant is presented with the violation report and the justice of the peace shall ensure the violation report is attached to his or her writs and other documentation of a district court violation or a superior court violation. The justice of the peace shall proceed to arraign the defendant on the new charge pursuant to subdivision (1). The justice of the peace shall return his or her writs and other documentation of a district court violation to the clerk of the district court; regarding any superior court violation, the attorney for the state shall notify the clerk of the superior court for the county where the case originated, for which a finding of probable violation was made, of the finding of probable violation and the attorney for the state shall, on the same date, request a judge or magistrate of the superior court to issue a writ of habeas corpus for the purpose of a violation presentation before the superior court returnable to the next sitting of the superior court in the county.

(b) In misdemeanor cases, a justice of the peace may accept pleas of not guilty, in which case the justice of the peace may schedule a pre-trial conference date before a judge of the district court.

(c) In non-capital felony cases, the justices of the peace may also schedule felony screening dates.

(d) The fee for the justices of the peace shall be fifty dollars ($50.00), paid by each individual who appears before him or her; provided, that when a special session is requested between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., the fee shall be arranged between the defendant and the justice of the peace, but shall not exceed two hundred dollars ($200). Justices of the peace shall have immunity for any actions taken pursuant to the provisions of this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-9-32 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-9 / Section 12-9-32
§ 12-9-32. States rights against extradited persons not waived.
Status: in_force

Nothing contained in this chapter shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by this state of its right, power, or privilege to try the demanded person for a crime committed within this state, or of its right, power, or privilege to regain custody of the person by extradition proceedings or otherwise for the purpose of trial, sentence, or punishment for any crime committed within this state, nor shall any proceedings had under this chapter which result in, or fail to result in, extradition be deemed a waiver by this state of any of its rights, privileges, or jurisdiction in any way whatsoever.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-23-1 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-23 / Section 12-23-1
§ 12-23-1. Commission created  Composition.
Status: in_force

A commission is created to be known as the criminal law advisory commission and to consist of seven (7) members who shall be qualified electors of the state, six (6) of whom shall be appointed by the governor and the seventh member shall be the law revision director from the joint committee on legislative services, who shall be ex officio a member of the commission and its secretary.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-19-38 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-19 / Section 12-19-38
§ 12-19-38. Hate Crimes Sentencing Act.
Status: in_force

(a) If any person has been convicted of a crime charged by complaint, information, or indictment in which he or she intentionally selected the person against whom the offense is committed or selected the property that is damaged or otherwise affected by the offense because of the actors hatred or animus toward the actual or perceived disability, religion, color, race, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, or gender of that person or the owner or occupant of that property, he or she shall be subject to the penalties provided in this section.

(b) Whenever it appears that a person may be subject to the Hate Crime Sentencing Act, the prosecuting agency, in no case later than the pretrial conference, shall file with the court a notice specifying that the defendant, upon conviction, is subject to the imposition of sentencing in accordance with this section.

(c) For misdemeanor offenses, upon any plea of guilty or nolo contendere or verdict or finding of guilty of the defendant, the district court shall conduct a sentencing hearing. At the hearing, the court shall permit the prosecuting agency and the defense to present additional evidence relevant to the determination of whether the defendant intentionally selected the person against whom the offense is committed, or selected the property that is damaged, or otherwise affected by the offense because of his or her hatred or animus toward the actual or perceived race, religion, color, disability, national origin or ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation of that person or the owner or occupant of that property. If the finder of fact at the hearing, or in the case of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, the district court at sentencing, determines beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendants actions were so motivated, he or she shall be sentenced to not less than thirty (30) days mandatory imprisonment, nor more than one year imprisonment for that crime: and for this penalty, he or she shall not be afforded the provisions of filing, suspension of sentence, or probation.

(d) For felony offenses and for misdemeanor offenses in which the defendant claims a jury trial either in the first instance or by appeal, upon any plea of guilt or nolo contendere or verdict or finding of guilt of the defendant, the court shall conduct a sentencing hearing. At the hearing, the court shall permit the prosecuting agency and the defense to present additional evidence to the jury relevant to the determination of whether the defendant intentionally selected the person against whom the offense is committed, or selected the property that is damaged, or otherwise affected by the offense because of his or her hatred or animus toward the actual or perceived race, religion, color, disability, national origin or ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation of that person or the owner or occupant of that property. If the jury at the hearing, or in the case of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, the court at sentencing, determines beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendants actions were so motivated, he or she shall be sentenced for a misdemeanor in accordance with subsection (c) of this section and for a felony by the court to an additional, consecutive term of imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than five (5) years, but in no case, more than double the original penalty for the crime.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-29-1 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-29 / Section 12-29-1
§ 12-29-1. Legislative purpose.
Status: in_force

(a) The purpose of this chapter is to recognize the importance of domestic violence as a serious crime against society and to assure victims of domestic violence the maximum protection from abuse which the law and those who enforce the law can provide.

(b) While the legislature finds that the existing criminal statutes are adequate to provide protection for victims of domestic violence, previous societal attitudes have been reflected in policies and practices of law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and courts which have resulted in differing treatment of crimes occurring between family or household members and of the same crimes occurring between strangers. Only recently has public perception of the serious consequences of domestic violence to society and to the victims led to the recognition of the necessity for early intervention by law enforcement agencies.

(c) It is the intent of the legislature that the official response to cases of domestic violence shall stress the enforcement of the laws to protect the victim and shall communicate the attitude that violent behavior is not excused or tolerated. Furthermore, it is the intent of the legislature that criminal laws be enforced without regard to whether the persons involved are or were married, cohabitating, or involved in a relationship.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-9-9 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-9 / Section 12-9-9
§ 12-9-9. Warrant of arrest on executive demand.
Status: in_force

If the governor decides that the demand should be complied with, he or she shall sign a warrant of arrest, which shall be sealed with the state seal, and be directed to any peace officer or other person whom he or she may think fit to entrust with its execution. The warrant must substantially recite the facts necessary to the validity of its issuance.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-19-7 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-19 / Section 12-19-7
§ 12-19-7. Recommendations of counsel as to sentence.
Status: in_force

At the time sentence shall be imposed by the court, the recommendation of the department of the attorney general and of defense counsel shall be recorded and a copy of the record shall be filed with the director of corrections.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-5-7 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-5 / Section 12-5-7
§ 12-5-7. Disposition of seized property.
Status: in_force

(a) The property seized shall be safely kept by the officer seizing it, under the direction of the court, so long as may be necessary for the purpose of being used as evidence in any case.

(b) As soon as may be thereafter, if the property is subject to forfeiture, further proceedings shall be had on the property for forfeiture as is prescribed by law in chapter 21 of this title.

(c) If the property seized was stolen or otherwise unlawfully taken from the owner, or is not found to have been unlawfully used or intended for unlawful use, or is found to have been unlawfully used without the knowledge of the owner, it shall be returned to the person legally entitled to its possession.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-28-4.2 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-28 / Section 12-28-4.2
§ 12-28-4.2. Representative of incapacitated victim.
Status: in_force

A member of the immediate family of a victim who is under the age of twelve (12) at the time of sentencing, or who is personally unable to exercise the rights established by this chapter due to physical incapacity resulting from the crime, shall, upon request, be afforded the opportunity to exercise those rights on the victims behalf.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-19-19 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-19 / Section 12-19-19
§ 12-19-19. Sentencing on plea of guilty or nolo contendere  Deferment of sentence.
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever any person is arraigned before the superior court and pleads guilty or nolo contendere, he or she may be at any time sentenced by the court; provided, that if at any time the court formally defers sentencing, then the person and the court shall enter into a written deferral agreement to be filed with the clerk of the court. When a court formally defers sentence, the court may only impose sentence up to five (5) years from and after the date of the written deferral agreement, unless during the required period, the person shall be declared to have violated the terms and conditions of the deferment pursuant to subsection (b) in which event the court may impose sentence.

(b) The court may require that the person agreeing to said deferment of sentence shall not violate any condition of the written deferral agreement. A violation of any condition set forth by the written deferral agreement shall violate the terms and conditions of the deferment of sentence and the court may impose a sanction or impose sentence. The determination of whether a violation has occurred shall be made by the court in accordance with procedures relating to violation of probation in court rules and §§ 12-19-2 and 12-19-14.

(c) If a person, after the completion of the deferment period is determined by the court after a hearing to have complied with all of the terms and conditions of the deferral agreement including, but not limited to, the payment in full of any court-ordered fines, fees, costs, assessments, and restitution to victims of crime, then the person shall become immediately eligible for consideration for expungement pursuant to the provisions of §§ 12-1.3-2 and 12-1.3-3.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-12-1.7 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-12 / Section 12-12-1.7
§ 12-12-1.7. Motion to dismiss information.
Status: in_force

Within thirty (30) days after a defendant is served with a copy of an information charging him or her with an offense, he or she may move in the superior court to dismiss the information on the ground that the information and exhibits appended to it do not demonstrate the existence of probable cause to believe that the offense charged has been committed or that the defendant committed it. Upon the filing of the motion to dismiss the court shall schedule a hearing to be held within a reasonable time.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-24-3 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-24 / Section 12-24-3
§ 12-24-3. Compilation of reports.
Status: in_force

Upon receipt of the quarterly uniform crime reports from the reporting agencies, the division of state police shall prepare a statewide compilation of the statistics contained in the reports, and the resulting statistical compilation shall be available to any governmental law enforcement agency in the state, the judiciary committees of the senate and the house of representatives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, upon request. The statistics made available through the uniform crime report shall be used for the purpose of studying the causes, trends, and effects of crime in this state and for intelligence upon which to base a sounder program of crime detection and prevention and the apprehension of criminals.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-28-2 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-28 / Section 12-28-2
§ 12-28-2. Legislative purpose.
Status: in_force

In recognition of the responsibility of the community to the victims of crime, the general assembly declares its intent to ensure:

(1) That all crime victims are treated with dignity, respect, and sensitivity at all phases of the criminal justice process;

(2) That whenever possible they receive financial compensation for their injury or loss from the perpetrator of the crime; and

(3) That the full impact of the crime upon the victim is brought to the attention of the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-5-8 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-5 / Section 12-5-8
§ 12-5-8. Hearing upon seizure of matter alleged to be obscene.
Status: in_force

Whenever any deputy sheriff, municipal or state police officer, or any other person authorized by law to execute a search warrant shall seize any property alleged to be obscene, pursuant to a search warrant issued under the provisions of this chapter, the person in whose possession it is found or who claims a proprietary interest in it shall be entitled to a hearing before the superior court on the question of whether or not the property is obscene within three (3) days of the time a written demand is submitted to a judge of the superior court and notice served upon the attorney general, or in the case of towns and cities the chief legal officer of the town or city, and if a hearing is held, the court shall render a decision on the question within forty-eight (48) hours of the conclusion of the hearing. If by the decision the court determines that the matter is not obscene, it shall be immediately returned to the person.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-29-4 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-29 / Section 12-29-4
§ 12-29-4. Restrictions upon and duties of court.
Status: in_force

(a)(1) Because of the likelihood of repeated violence directed at those who have been victims of domestic violence in the past, when a person is charged with or arrested for a crime involving domestic violence, that person may not be released from custody on bail or personal recognizance before arraignment without first appearing before the court or bail commissioner. The court or bail commissioner authorizing release shall issue a no-contact order prohibiting the person charged or arrested from having contact with the victim.

(2) At the time of arraignment or bail hearing the court or bail commissioner shall determine whether a no-contact order shall be issued or extended.

(3) Willful violation of a court order issued under subdivision (1), (2), or as part of disposition of this subdivision of this subsection is a misdemeanor. Beginning July 1, 2025, said violation shall be prosecuted by an attorney appointed by the prosecuting authority who shall self-certify that they have successfully completed a specialized domestic violence prosecution training course and updated training every four (4) years thereafter, aligned with national best practices and eligible for continuing legal education credit(s) as approved by the Rhode Island Bar Association. The written order releasing the person charged or the written order issued at the time of disposition shall contain the courts directive and shall bear the legend: Violation of this order is a criminal offense under this section and will subject a violator to arrest. A copy of the order shall be provided to the victim.

(4) Beginning July 1, 2025, said violation shall, at the initial appearance, be presented by a member of a law enforcement agency and/or prosecuted by an attorney appointed by the prosecuting authority all of whom shall be prosecuted by an attorney appointed by the prosecuting authority who shall self-certify that they have successfully completed a specialized domestic violence prosecution training course and updated training every four (4) years thereafter, aligned with national best practices and eligible for continuing legal education credit(s) as approved by the Rhode Island Bar Association. The written order releasing the person charged or the written order issued at the time of disposition shall contain the courts directive and shall bear the legend: Violation of this order is a criminal offense under this section and will subject a violator to arrest. A copy of the order shall be provided to the victim.

(5) Whenever an order prohibiting contact is issued, modified, or terminated under subdivision (1), (2) or (3) of this subsection, the clerk of the court shall forward a copy of the order on or before the next judicial day to the appropriate law enforcement agency specified in the order.

(b) Because of the serious nature of domestic violence, the court in domestic violence actions:

(1) Shall not dismiss any charge or delay disposition because of concurrent dissolution of marriage or other civil proceedings;

(2) Shall not require proof that either party is seeking a dissolution of marriage prior to instigation of criminal proceedings;

(3) Shall identify by reasonable means on docket sheets those criminal actions arising from acts of domestic violence; and

(4) Shall make clear to the defendant and victim that the prosecution of the domestic violence action is determined by the prosecutor and not the victim.

(c) To facilitate compliance with the provisions of this section, the district court shall assure that the misdemeanor and felony complaint forms indicate whether the crime charged involves domestic violence and, if so, the relationship of the victim and defendant.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of § 12-10-12, the filing of any complaint for a crime involving domestic violence shall be conditioned upon the defendant keeping the peace and being of good behavior for a period of three (3) years. In the event a particular case involving domestic violence is filed on a plea of not guilty, guilty or nolo contendere pursuant to § 12-10-12, the court having jurisdiction shall retain the records of the case for a period of three (3) years from the date of the filing. These records shall not be expunged, sealed, or otherwise destroyed for a period of three (3) years from the date of filing. Furthermore, the destruction or sealing of records in the possession of the department of attorney general bureau of criminal identification, the superintendent of the state police, or the police departments of any city or town after a filing related to a crime involving domestic violence shall be governed by § 12-1-12.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-8-4 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-8 / Section 12-8-4
§ 12-8-4. Arrests otherwise unlawful.
Status: in_force

Section 12-8-3 shall not be construed so as to make unlawful any arrest in this state which would otherwise be lawful.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-14-10 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-14 / Section 12-14-10
§ 12-14-10. Violations of traffic and parking regulations in the town of Jamestown.
Status: in_force

A person charged with the violation of any provision of the ordinances relating to parking and/or traffic ordained by the town council of the town of Jamestown, and a person charged with a violation of any parking regulation of the state traffic commission relating to parking in Jamestown, notified in writing by a police officer to appear on a day and hour stated in the notice to answer the charge before the district court of the second division, instead of personally appearing in court may in person or by one duly authorized by him or her in writing appear at the Jamestown police station, admit the truth of the charge and pay to the officer in charge of the police station the amount of the fine set forth in the ordinance or parking regulation of the state traffic commission for violations, and the police department shall collect the fines as provided in this section, when the offender decides to dispose of the charge without personal appearance in court within seven (7) days from notification. The police department is authorized to receive fines directly from any person charged with a violation, and money so received and collected shall be turned over by the police to the town treasurer. All charges, records, and payments shall be immediately entered by the police and the books of the police containing the records of the violations, their dispositions and money received as fines, shall be audited not less than once every three (3) months by the town treasurer of the town. In the event the offender refuses or neglects to dispose of the charges within seven (7) days, then he or she shall be brought before the district court of the second division for trial and for any disposition of the case that the court may decide to be proper, in which case the provisions of § 12-14-1, relating to fines and their disposition, shall prevail. In addition the offender may mail the fine in accordance with the applicable provisions of the general laws.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-19-34 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-19 / Section 12-19-34
§ 12-19-34. Priority of restitution payments to victims of crime.
Status: in_force

(a)(1) If a person, pursuant to §§ 12-19-32, 12-19-32.1, or 12-19-33, is ordered to make restitution in the form of monetary payment the court may order that it shall be made through the administrative office of state courts which shall record all payments and pay the money to the person injured in accordance with the order or with any modification of the order; provided, in cases where the court determines that the defendant has the present ability to make full restitution, payment shall be made at the time of sentencing.

(2) Payments made on account when both restitution to a third-party is ordered, and court costs, fines, and fees, and assessments related to prosecution are owed, shall be disbursed by the administrative office of the state courts in the following priorities:

(i) Upon determination of restitution, court ordered restitution payments shall be paid first to persons injured until such time as the courts restitution is fully satisfied;

(ii) Followed by the payment of court costs, fines, fees, and assessments related to prosecution.

(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any interest which has been accrued by the restitution account in the central registry shall be deposited on a regular basis into the crime victim compensation fund, established by chapter 25 of this title. In the event that the office of the administrator of the state courts cannot locate the person or persons to whom restitution is to be made, the principal of the restitution payment shall escheat to the state pursuant to the provisions of chapter 12 of title 8.

(b) The state is authorized to develop rules and/or regulations relating to assessment, collection, and disbursement of restitution payments when any of the following events occur:

(1) The defendant is incarcerated or on home confinement or has completed probation without completing restitution but is able to pay some portion of the restitution; or

(2) The victim dies before restitution payments are completed.

(c) The state may maintain a civil action to place a lien on the personal or real property of a defendant who is assessed restitution, as well as to seek wage garnishment, and/or seek enforcement of civil judgment entered in accordance with § 12-28-5.1 consistent with state and federal law.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-32-5 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-32 / Section 12-32-5
§ 12-32-5. Reporting requirements.
Status: in_force

(a) By January 31 of each calendar year, each law enforcement agency that collected any location information from electronic devices in the previous calendar year shall issue a report identifying the number of warrants issued for location information for an electronic device that were approved and denied in the previous year, including:

(1) The identity of the agency making the application; and

(2) The offense specified in the warrant or application therefor; and

(3) The number of warrants granted, in full or in part, and the number denied; and

(4) The number and duration of any extensions of the warrant.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-19-32.1 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-19 / Section 12-19-32.1
§ 12-19-32.1. Mandatory restitution.
Status: in_force

Any person who sells, causes to be sold, or otherwise delivers or causes to be delivered any stolen article or metal to a person licensed pursuant to chapter 11.1 of title 6 shall make full monetary restitution to the person so licensed. For purposes of this section, the amount of monetary restitution shall equal the monetary value of the loss actually sustained by the licensed person. A licensed person who knowingly receives stolen goods shall not be entitled to restitution.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-4-4 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-4 / Section 12-4-4
§ 12-4-4. Discharge of accused  Commitment on failure to give recognizance.
Status: in_force

Upon complying with the sentence, the accused shall be discharged; but on neglecting so to do, he or she shall be committed to the adult correctional institutions, there to remain during the term of which he or she was sentenced to give recognizance, and until the costs are paid, and also all the costs of his or her commitment, or until he or she shall enter into the recognizance required by the sentence before some judge of the district court or justice of the peace authorized to take bail in the county, and pay the required costs.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-22 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-25 / Section 12-25-22
§ 12-25-22. Limitations upon awarding compensation.
Status: in_force

(a) Actions for compensation under this chapter shall be commenced within three (3) years after the date of the injury or death, and no compensation shall be awarded for an injury or death resulting from a crime that was not reported to the appropriate law enforcement authority within fifteen (15) days of its occurrence; provided, that the office shall have the authority to allow a claim that was not reported pursuant to this section when a victim of a sexual assault receives a medical forensic examination within fifteen (15) days of the crime, when the victim or secondary victim was below the age of eighteen (18) years of age, or of unsound mind, or for good cause shown.

(b) No compensation shall be awarded under this chapter to the victim, or in the case of death to dependent relatives or to the legal representative, in a total amount in excess of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) plus any attorney fees awarded upon appeal to the treasurer or to the superior court pursuant to § 12-25-25.

(c) No compensation shall be awarded under this chapter to a secondary victim in a total amount in excess of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500).

(d) No compensation shall be awarded when the office, in its discretion, determines that unjust enrichment to or on behalf of the offender would result. Compensation under this chapter shall not be awarded to any victim or dependent relative or legal representative if the award would directly or indirectly inure to the benefit of the offender.

(e) No interest shall be included in or added to an award of compensation under this chapter.

(f) When the plaintiff is the victims estate, it shall only be awarded compensation for the victims actual medical, hospital, funeral, and burial expenses for which the victim or his or her estate is not compensated by any other source and for the loss of support to the dependents of the victim.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-7-17 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-7 / Section 12-7-17
§ 12-7-17. Arrest of escapees and parole violators without warrant.
Status: in_force

The director of the department of corrections, the warden of the adult correctional institutions, any superintendent or employees connected with any institution under the management and control of the department of corrections, or any police officer or town constable, may arrest, without a warrant, any person who has escaped from any institution, or who, being absent from the institution on parole, has violated the conditions of the parole, for the purpose of returning the person to the institution from which the escape was made or from which the parole was granted.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-21-5 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-21 / Section 12-21-5
§ 12-21-5. Action by town or city.
Status: in_force

Whenever any penalty or forfeiture, or any part of a penalty or forfeiture, shall be given to any town by any penal statute, the town council may sue for the penalty or forfeiture in the name of the town, or the proper prosecuting officer in the name of any city which shall be entitled to the benefit of the penalty or forfeiture, and the town council may remit the whole of the penalty or forfeiture.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-12-1.6 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-12 / Section 12-12-1.6
§ 12-12-1.6. Defendant to receive copy of information.
Status: in_force

A copy of the information and all exhibits appended to it shall be served on the defendant promptly after it is filed with the clerk of the superior court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-26-1 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-26 / Section 12-26-1
§ 12-26-1. Special commission on criminal justice established.
Status: in_force

(a) There is created a commission to be known as the special commission on criminal justice. The commission shall consist of nineteen (19) members: three (3) of whom shall be from the house of representatives, not more than two (2) of whom shall be from the same political party, to be appointed by the speaker; three (3) of whom shall be from the senate, not more than two (2) of whom shall be from the same political party, to be appointed by the president of the senate; eight (8) of whom shall be the chief justice of the supreme court, the presiding justice of the superior court, the chief judge of the family court, the chief judge of the district court, the attorney general, the public defender, the mental health advocate, and the state court administrator, all of whom shall serve ex officio; one of whom shall be a member of the bar association who has experience in criminal practice to be appointed by the governor; four (4) of whom shall be representative of the public to be appointed by the governor and to serve for terms of two (2) years. All ex officio members shall have the right to vote on all matters which are considered by the commission.

(b) Vacancies on the commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-13-21 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-13 / Section 12-13-21
§ 12-13-21. Registration of sureties.
Status: in_force

No person proposing to become bail or surety in a felony case for hire or reward, either received or to be received, shall be accepted unless he or she has been approved and registered as a professional bondsperson by the presiding justice of the superior court or his or her designee. This approval and registration may be revoked at any time by the court or justice, and shall be revoked in case the bondsperson fails for one hundred eighty (180) days after the issuance of process under § 12-13-16 to satisfy in full the recognizance to which he or she is bound, or the amount of the original recognizance as determined in the discretion of the court, in accordance with § 12-13-10. All professional bondspersons shall be governed by rules which shall be established from time to time by the superior court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-7-2 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-7 / Section 12-7-2
§ 12-7-2. Search of detained person for weapons.
Status: in_force

A peace officer may search for a dangerous weapon any person he or she is questioning or about to question concerning any crime or suspected crime, whenever the officer reasonably believes that he or she is in danger from the person carrying a weapon, and if the person is carrying a dangerous weapon, an officer may take and keep it until the completion of questioning, when he or she shall either return it or arrest the person.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-3-7 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-3 / Section 12-3-7
§ 12-3-7. Jurisdiction based on importation of stolen property.
Status: in_force

Whenever the property of another which has been taken or obtained in any other state or area within the jurisdiction of the United States, by the commission of any of the offenses described in §§ 11-8-6, 11-41-1  11-41-4, 11-41-6  11-41-9, 11-41-11, and 11-44-7, is brought into this state by the person who took or obtained the property by the commission of the offense, the offense by which the property was taken or obtained may be alleged to have been committed, and the person may be prosecuted and proceeded against in the superior court at any location that may by order be designated by the presiding justice or in any division of the district court in which the person is found in possession of the property, or through which the person may have transported the property or at any location that may be designated by the chief judge pursuant to § 12-3-4(c).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-19-8 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-19 / Section 12-19-8
§ 12-19-8. Suspension of sentence and probation by superior or district court.
Status: in_force

(a) Application. Except where the suspension of sentence shall otherwise be prohibited by law, and subject to the purposes and limits imposed by this section and § 12-19-8.1, whenever any defendant shall appear for sentence before the superior or district court, the court may impose a sentence and suspend the execution of the sentence, in whole or in part, or place the defendant on probation without the imposition of a suspended sentence. The suspension shall place the defendant on probation for the time of probation that the court may fix and pursuant to the terms and conditions set by § 12-19-8.1.

(b) Duration. The period of probation for a felony shall be set for a period of time as required by law, or in accordance with judicial sentencing benchmarks. The period of probation for a misdemeanor, where no sentence is imposed or where sentence is entirely suspended, may be for any period up to the maximum time of sentence provided by applicable statutes. Where sentence is imposed and suspended in part, the term ordered to be served and the period of probation together shall not exceed the maximum time of sentence provided by applicable statutes.

(c) [Deleted by P.L. 2017, ch. 345, § 1 and P.L. 2017, ch. 351, § 1].
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-24-2 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-24 / Section 12-24-2
§ 12-24-2. Reports.
Status: in_force

The police department of each city and town and the enforcement division of the department of environmental management, once each quarter, upon a date and form prescribed and furnished by the superintendent of state police, shall forward to the division of state police a crime report. Each reporting department shall report only on cases within its jurisdiction and upon which it is making, or has made, the primary police investigation. The report shall be called the uniform crime report and shall cover crimes reported and otherwise processed during the reporting period. It shall contain the number and nature of offenses committed, the disposition of those offenses, and any other information that the superintendent of state police shall specify relating to the method, frequency, cause, and prevention of crime. Under no circumstances shall the name of any person be reported.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-21-24 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-21 / Section 12-21-24
§ 12-21-24. Complaint or information asking forfeiture.
Status: in_force

The person making or directing a seizure shall without unnecessary delay make complaint on oath and in writing to a judge of the district court for the division in which the offense for which the forfeiture has accrued was committed, regardless of the value of the property seized, and jurisdiction is conferred on the district court to try and determine the matter notwithstanding the value of the property seized is in excess of five thousand dollars ($5,000).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-12-1.8 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-12 / Section 12-12-1.8
§ 12-12-1.8. Hearing to determine probable cause.
Status: in_force

At the probable cause hearing the information and exhibits appended to it shall be before the court. The defendant may call witnesses and may introduce evidence bearing on the question of the existence of probable cause to charge him or her. The state may not call witnesses, introduce evidence, or otherwise supplement the exhibits appended to the information unless the court grants leave to do so.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-26-2 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-26 / Section 12-26-2
§ 12-26-2. Purpose.
Status: in_force

The purpose of the commission established by this chapter shall be to develop and implement, on a continuing basis, standards and priorities designed to accomplish the comprehensive and orderly reform of the criminal justice system, and to make recommendations to both the general assembly and the courts for the improvement of the criminal justice system.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-13-6 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-13 / Section 12-13-6
§ 12-13-6. Bail or discharge for want of indictment or information.
Status: in_force

Every person who shall be imprisoned upon suspicion of having committed an offense for which bail may be denied pursuant to the provisions of R.I. Const., Art. I, Sec. IX shall be bailed or discharged if not indicted or charged by information within six (6) months after the commitment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-5-4 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-5 / Section 12-5-4
§ 12-5-4. Complainant officer exempt from surety for costs.
Status: in_force

(a) No officer or other person described in § 12-5-3(a)(1) complaining as required by that section shall be required at the time of making a complaint to give surety for costs, or in any way to become liable for the costs that may accrue on it or for any damage on account of the seizure.

(b) Any person described in § 12-5-3(a)(2) complaining as required by that section shall give recognizance in the sum of fifty dollars ($50.00).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-29-12 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-29 / Section 12-29-12
§ 12-29-12. Deborah DeBare domestic violence prevention fund  Policy.
Status: in_force

(a) The general assembly finds and declares that domestic violence is a serious public health concern in the state of Rhode Island, and that evidence-based domestic violence prevention programs are important tools in decreasing the continuing toll that domestic violence takes on Rhode Island communities, cities, and towns. It is therefore in the best interest of the state to establish a fund to promote effective programs working toward the primary prevention of domestic violence in Rhode Island.

(b) Deborah DeBare domestic violence prevention fund:

(1) There is created the Deborah DeBare domestic violence prevention fund program, to be administered by the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

(2) The Deborah DeBare domestic violence prevention fund program monies shall be used to fund evidence-based programs with the purpose of primary prevention of domestic violence and dating violence in the state of Rhode Island.

(3) The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence shall convene a statewide prevention fund advisory committee comprised of those with knowledge, experience, training, and/or expertise in the field of prevention of domestic violence and dating violence. The committee members shall include, but are not limited to, the executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, or his or her designee; the director of the department of health, or his or her designee; the director of the department of human services, or his or her designee; the attorney general, or his or her designee; and representative organizations providing domestic violence and dating violence primary prevention services in Rhode Island.

(c) The committee shall be responsible for implementation of programs to prevent domestic and dating abuse and shall:

(1) Develop a plan and budget for distribution of funds;

(2) Develop criteria for awarding and distributing funds received to develop plans and programs for the prevention of domestic and dating violence;

(3) Issue requests for proposals to providers, organizations, firms, or entities that will provide services to the committee;

(4) Review proposals for the funds and present recommendations to the board of directors of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence;

(5) Monitor and account for the expenditure of funds and produce an annual report on the activities of the Deborah DeBare domestic violence prevention fund. Annual reports shall be submitted to the senate and house finance committees of the general assembly for review on or before February 28 of each year; and

(6) Promote the general development of domestic violence primary prevention programs and activities.

(d) Organizations submitting proposals for funds shall not participate in the review of proposals or expenditure of funds. The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence shall not be eligible to submit proposals for the committees programs nor shall it be eligible to receive any funds from the committee except as hereinafter provided.

(e) The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence may utilize up to ten percent (10%) of the sums collected for the Deborah DeBare domestic violence prevention fund for the purpose of administering the program and it shall also be required to submit an annual report detailing the expenditure of funds to the senate and house finance committees on or before February 28 of each year.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-3-8 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-3 / Section 12-3-8
§ 12-3-8. Venue of larceny prosecutions.
Status: in_force

Larceny, whether at common law, or as defined by §§ 11-41-1  11-41-4, 11-41-6, and 11-41-11, may be prosecuted and proceeded against in the superior court at any location that may by order be designated by the presiding justice or in any division of the district court in which the offense was committed, or in which the defendant has possession of the money or property which is alleged to have been stolen, or in which the false pretense was made or used or in any division that may be ordered by the chief judge pursuant to § 12-3-4(c).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-14-5 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-14 / Section 12-14-5
§ 12-14-5. Violations of Cranston ordinance.
Status: in_force

The city of Cranston is authorized and empowered to fix any fines that the committee on police of the city council may, from time to time, establish as fines for violation of traffic ordinances. The committee on police may designate the police department for the purpose of collecting the fines as provided in this section, when the offender decides to dispose of the charge without personal appearance in court within seven (7) days from notification. The police department is authorized to receive the fines directly from any person charged with violation of any provision of the ordinances of the city relating to traffic, and the money so received and collected shall be turned over by the police to the city treasurer. All charges, records, and payments shall be immediately entered by the police and the books of the police containing records of the violations, their dispositions, and money received as fines shall be audited not less than once every three (3) months by the city auditor of the city. In the event the offender refuses or neglects to dispose of the charges within seven (7) days, then he or she shall be brought before the district court for the sixth division for trial and for any disposition of the case that the court may decide to be proper, in which case the provisions of § 12-14-1, relating to fines and their disposition, shall prevail.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-17 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-25 / Section 12-25-17
§ 12-25-17. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter:

(1) Administrator means the program administrator of this chapter.

(2) Child means an unmarried person who is under eighteen (18) years of age and includes a stepchild or an adopted child.

(3) Court means the superior court.

(4) Dependent means a person wholly or partially dependent upon the income of the victim at the time of his or her death or would have been so dependent but for the incapacity due to the injury from which the death resulted. The term includes a child of the victim born after the death of the victim.

(5) Medical forensic examination means an examination of a sexual assault victim completed by a healthcare provider, who has specialized education and clinical experience in the collection of forensic evidence and treatment of these victims, which includes:

(i) Gathering information from the victim for the medical forensic history;

(ii) An examination;

(iii) Documentation of biological and physical finding, and collection of evidence from the patient; and

(iv) Documentation of findings.

(6) Office means the office of the general treasurer.

(7) Pecuniary loss includes:

(i) For personal injury:

(A) Medical expenses (including psychiatric care) for which the victim is not compensated by any other source;

(B) Hospital expenses for which the victim is not compensated by any other source;

(C) Loss of past earnings for which the victim is not compensated by any other source;

(D) Loss of future earnings because of a disability resulting from the personal injury for which the victim is not compensated by any other source; and

(E) Direct expenses related to the delivery or obtainment of medical or counseling services, or participation in criminal justice proceedings.

(ii) For death:

(A) Funeral and burial expenses for which the victims estate is not compensated by any other source;

(B) Loss of support to the dependents of the victim for which the dependents are not compensated by any other source; and

(C) Direct expenses related to the participation in funeral services, counseling, or criminal justice proceedings.

(iii) Any other expenses actually and necessarily incurred as a result of the personal injury or death for which the victim or his or her estate is not compensated by any other source, but it does not include property damage.

(8) Personal injury means actual bodily harm, mental or nervous shock, and a pregnancy resulting from sexual attack.

(9) Relative means a spouse, parent, grandparent, stepfather, stepmother, child, grandchild, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, and a spouses parents.

(10) Resident means any person who has his or her residence within the state of Rhode Island.

(11) Secondary victim means a child who suffers an emotional injury as a direct result of witnessing a homicide or incident of domestic violence.

(12) State includes the District of Columbia, the fifty (50) states, and the United States territories and possessions.

(13) Treasurer means the general treasurer of the state of Rhode Island or his or her designee.

(14) Victim means a person who is injured or killed by any act of a person or persons that is within the description of any of the offenses specified in § 12-25-20 and which act occurs in the state of Rhode Island. Victim also means a resident of the state of Rhode Island who is a victim of an act of terrorism as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2331 occurring outside the United States or within the United States as referred to in 34 U.S.C. § 20105.

(15) 1972 Act means the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act of 1972, established pursuant to former §§ 12-25-1  12-25-12.1.

(16) 1996 Act means the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act of 1996, established pursuant to §§ 12-25-16  12-25-31.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-8-1 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-8 / Section 12-8-1
§ 12-8-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter may be cited as the Uniform Act on Close Pursuit.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-19-25 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-19 / Section 12-19-25
§ 12-19-25. Warrant for commitment to institutions.
Status: in_force

Whenever any person shall be sentenced to imprisonment, the clerk of the court passing the sentence shall immediately issue a warrant, under the seal of the court, directed to the division of sheriffs, reciting the sentence and requiring a deputy sheriff to take the person and deliver to the warden of the adult correctional institutions and the warden to receive the person into his or her custody and safely keep him or her in the institutions during the term specified in the sentence, and the warrant shall constitute the officer charged with it, while he or she has it in his or her possession for service, an officer in any county in this state into which it may be necessary for him or her to go, to all intents and purposes whatsoever.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-7-4 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-7 / Section 12-7-4
§ 12-7-4. Arrest without warrant for felony.
Status: in_force

A peace officer may, without a warrant, arrest a person for a felony, whenever:

(1) The officer has reasonable ground to believe that a felony has been or is being committed and that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing it.

(2) The person to be arrested in fact has committed or is committing a felony; and in that case it shall be immaterial that the officer did not believe him or her guilty or on unreasonable ground entertained belief in his or her guilt.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-9-3 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-9 / Section 12-9-3
§ 12-9-3. Governors duty to deliver fugitives from justice.
Status: in_force

Subject to the provisions of this chapter, the provisions of the Constitution of the United States controlling, and any and all acts of Congress enacted in pursuance of the Constitution, it is the duty of the governor of this state to have arrested and delivered up to the executive authority of any other state of the United States any person charged in that state with treason, felony, or other crime, who has fled from justice and is found in this state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-7-12 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-7 / Section 12-7-12
§ 12-7-12. Release of arrested person by officer.
Status: in_force

(a) The officer in charge of any police station shall consider the release of any person in his or her station who has been arrested without a warrant:

(1) Without requiring the person to appear in court, when the officer is satisfied that there is no ground for making criminal complaint against the person or when the person has been arrested for drunkenness but in the judgment of the officer need not be brought before a magistrate; or

(2) If the arrest is for a misdemeanor, upon that person signing an agreement to appear in court at a designated time.

(b) Any officer with custody of a person who has been arrested or detained without a warrant may recognize that the person suffers from a serious mental illness and may release and refer the person to the nearest appropriate inpatient mental health facility or outpatient treatment program.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-19-2.1 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-19 / Section 12-19-2.1
§ 12-19-2.1. Crimes committed in a public housing for the elderly project.
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever a person has been found guilty of an offense described in subsection (b) of this section which was committed while on the premises of a public housing for the elderly project and upon a resident of the project, the court shall sentence the person to imprisonment for not more than five (5) years in addition to any other punishment which the court, in its discretion, may impose.

(b) This section shall apply to any offense in the following categories: (1) assault and battery; (2) statutory burning of personal property; (3) larceny of property or money of a value not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500); (4) and any other crime, excluding motor vehicle offenses, which results in personal injury or death, unless a maximum sentence of greater than five (5) years is provided elsewhere in the general laws.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-6-3 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-6 / Section 12-6-3
§ 12-6-3. Surety for costs on complaint beyond trial jurisdiction of district court.
Status: in_force

The judge or justice of the peace may, in all cases of complaint to any of them of the commission of any crime or offense which the district court has not jurisdiction to try and determine, before issuing any warrant on the complaint, require of the complainant surety for costs, as is required in cases which the court has jurisdiction to try and determine.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-21-22 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-21 / Section 12-21-22
§ 12-21-22. Payment of fines due to person or corporation from proceeds of forfeited recognizance.
Status: in_force

If any recognizance shall be forfeited in any case in which, if the recognizor had been convicted, any sum might have been due to the complainant, or any person or corporation, the court in which the amount of the recognizance is, in whole or part, recovered, shall ascertain the just sum and costs, if any, which are due from the recognizor to the complainant, person, or corporation and grant a certificate for the amount, which, upon being audited by the state controller, shall be paid, upon his or her warrant for the amount upon the general treasurer.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-32-1 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-32 / Section 12-32-1
§ 12-32-1. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter:

(1) Adverse result means:

(i) Endangering the life or physical safety of an individual;

(ii) Flight from prosecution;

(iii) Destruction of, or tampering with, evidence;

(iv) Intimidation of potential witnesses; or

(v) Otherwise seriously jeopardizing an investigation or unduly delaying a trial.

(2) Electronic device means any device that enables access to, or use of, an electronic communication service (as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2510(15)), remote computing service (as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2711(2)), or location information service.

(3) Location information means any information concerning the location of an electronic device that, in whole or in part, is generated by, or derived from, the operation of that device.

(4) Location information service means a global positioning service or other mapping, locational, or directional information service.

(5) Service provider means the provider of an electronic communications service, remote computing service, or location information service.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-9-5 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-9 / Section 12-9-5
§ 12-9-5. Investigation as to demanded person.
Status: in_force

When a demand shall be made upon the governor of this state by the executive authority of another state for the surrender of a person so charged with a crime, the governor may call upon the attorney general or any prosecuting officer in this state to investigate or assist in investigating the demand and to report to him or her the situation and circumstances of the person so demanded, and whether he or she ought to be surrendered.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-26 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-25 / Section 12-25-26
§ 12-25-26. Recovery from offender.
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever any person is convicted of an offense and compensation is awarded under this chapter or under the 1972 Act for a personal injury or death resulting from the act constituting the offense, the state of Rhode Island shall institute an action against that person for the recovery of the whole or any specified part of the compensation in the superior court of the state of Rhode Island in any county, or in the state or federal court of any other state or district in which that person resides or is found, or make a finding in writing, of the reasons why it is impractical or impossible to institute that action. The office shall pursue the recovery whenever possible in order to provide additional funds for the violent crimes indemnity account. The administrator shall develop rules and regulations pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act, chapter 35 of title 42, to identify those so convicted, determine their ability to compensate the fund, and file whatever action is appropriate to recoup those funds.

(b) Process of the superior court for any county in any action under this section may be served by the sheriff of the county. Whenever it appears to the court in which any action under this section is pending that other parties should be brought before the court in the action, the court may cause those other parties to be summoned.

(c) An order for the payment of compensation under this chapter or under the 1972 Act shall not affect the right of any person to recover damages from any other person by a civil action for the injury or death.

(d) An action instituted by the state of Rhode Island against any person for the recovery of the whole or any specified part of the compensation awarded under this chapter or under the 1972 Act shall be commenced within ten (10) years from the date compensation is awarded, and not thereafter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-21-29 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-21 / Section 12-21-29
§ 12-21-29. Trial and judgment.
Status: in_force

The case may be tried by a jury, if in the superior court, upon the request of either party, or otherwise by the court, and the cause of forfeiture alleged being proved, the court which shall try the cause shall enter up judgment for the forfeiture and disposition of the property according to law.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-19 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-25 / Section 12-25-19
§ 12-25-19. Awarding compensation.
Status: in_force

(a) In any case in which a person is injured or killed by any act of a person or persons that is within the description of the offenses listed in §12-25-20, the victim, his or her guardian, the child advocate as provided in §42-73-9.1, or in the case of his or her death, a legal representative, may apply to the office for compensation. Additionally, a secondary victim or their guardian, the child advocate as provided in §42-73-9.1 or a legal representative on behalf of a secondary victim, may apply to the office for compensation. The office shall provide notice of the application to the attorney general. The office may award compensation in accordance with the provisions of this chapter if the act occurs:

(1) Within the physical confines of the state of Rhode Island;

(2) Within the maritime jurisdiction of the state of Rhode Island;

(3) Outside the state of Rhode Island to any victim who has his or her residence in the state of Rhode Island and had the residence in the state at the time that the offense occurred, and is not entitled to compensation of any kind from the state, possession, or territory or district of the United States in which the offense occurred; or

(4) Outside the state of Rhode Island to any victim, who had his or her residence in the state of Rhode Island at the time the offense occurred, who is injured or killed by an act of terrorism occurring either outside of the United States, as defined in 18 U.S.C. §2331, or within the United States as referred to in 34 U.S.C. §20105.

(b) The office may award compensation as described in this section:

(1) To or on behalf of the injured person, or his or her guardian;

(2) In the case of the personal injury of the victim where the compensation is for pecuniary loss suffered or expenses incurred by any person responsible for the maintenance of the victim, to that person; or

(3) In the case of the death of the victim, to or for the benefit of the dependents or closest relative of the deceased victim, or any one or more of the dependents or to the legal representative of the victim.

(c) For the purposes of this chapter, a person shall be deemed to have intended an act notwithstanding that, by reason of age, insanity, drunkenness, or otherwise, he or she was legally incapable of forming a criminal intent.

(d)(1) In determining whether to award compensation as described in this section and the amount of compensation, the office shall consider any circumstances it determines to be relevant, including, but not limited to:

(i) Compliance by the victim with the reasonable requests of law enforcement agencies and personnel;

(ii) Violent felonious criminal conduct of the victim committed within the past five (5) years or subsequent to his or her injury;

(iii) Any conviction of a crime of violence by the victim; and

(iv) The behavior of the victim, including past behavior, that directly or indirectly contributed to his or her injury or death, unless the injury or death resulted from the victims lawful attempt to prevent the commission of a crime or to apprehend an offender. The office may reduce or deny an award based on these circumstances.

(2) Any individual who is incarcerated at any criminal institutional facility at the time of his or her injury shall be deemed ineligible to receive an award of compensation as described in this section.

(e) No compensation may be awarded unless the office so directs upon a finding that:

(1) The act did occur; and

(2) The injury or death resulted from the act.

(f) An award may be made under this section whether or not any person is prosecuted or convicted of any offense arising out of the act, or if the act is the subject of any other legal action. Upon application from the attorney general, the office shall suspend proceedings under this chapter until the application is withdrawn or until a prosecution for an offense arising out of the act is no longer pending or imminent. The office may suspend proceedings in the interest of justice if a criminal or civil action arising from the act is pending or imminent.

(g) The office shall pay to the person named in the award of compensation, and the payments shall be made from the violent crimes indemnity account and from any federal moneys available as coordinated by the office.

(h) Where compensable medical services have been rendered, any award made payable to a medical provider shall be based on the current final adjustment to charge ratio approved by the department of labor and training pursuant to chapter 33 of title 28 and applied by the Rhode Island workers compensation unit in establishing payout ratios for inpatient charges, emergency room charges, and ambulatory surgery charges. Amounts awarded for all other medical services shall be based on the current Rhode Island workers compensation medical fee schedule. If the provider employs a sliding scale fee structure for any category of patient or service, the award shall not exceed the amount the applicant would be charged if he or she qualified under the providers sliding scale fee structure. Medical service providers shall be required to accept these awards as full payment for services rendered and shall be prohibited from assessing any additional charges against the victim or secondary victim.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-9-20 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-9 / Section 12-9-20
§ 12-9-20. Failure to arrest on governors warrant within time specified.
Status: in_force

If the accused is not arrested under warrant of the governor by the expiration of the time specified in the warrant or bond, a judge may discharge the accused or may recommit him or her for a further period not to exceed sixty (60) days, or a judge may again take bail for his or her appearance and surrender, as provided in § 12-9-19, but within a period not to exceed sixty (60) days after the date of the new bond.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-10-10 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-10 / Section 12-10-10
§ 12-10-10. Commitment or recognizance on adjournment.
Status: in_force

In case of an adjournment, if the accused is charged with any offense not bailable by the district court, he or she shall, in the meantime, be committed to the adult correctional institutions; but if bailable, the accused may give recognizance in a sum and with surety or sureties to the satisfaction of the court for his or her appearance for further examination, and for want of recognizance may be committed to the institutions.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-22-6 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-22 / Section 12-22-6
§ 12-22-6. Forwarding and notice of recognizance to courts  Transmission of papers to superior court.
Status: in_force

The person taking a recognizance shall immediately send it to the superior court, and if the recognizance is taken before some person other than a justice or clerk of the court appealed from, notice of the taking of the recognizance shall be certified under the hand of the person to the clerk or a justice of the court appealed from. On notice of a claim of appeal or of the taking of a recognizance, the clerk of the court appealed from shall immediately certify and transmit all the papers in the case to the clerk of the superior court, who shall receipt for the papers.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-26-3 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-26 / Section 12-26-3
§ 12-26-3. Organization.
Status: in_force

The members of the commission shall meet at the call of the speaker of the house of representatives and organize and shall select a chairperson from among themselves.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-17-1 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-17 / Section 12-17-1
§ 12-17-1. Trial in superior court only on indictment, information, or appeal  Venue.
Status: in_force

No person shall be put on trial for any offense before the superior court except upon indictment found by a grand jury, or upon an information signed by the attorney general or one of the attorney generals designated assistants, or upon appeal from the sentence of a district court, and, unless otherwise provided by law, the trial shall be held before the superior court in the county in which the offense may lawfully be alleged to have been committed or shall have been committed and not elsewhere, but this provision and all other general and special provisions fixing the venue of criminal actions shall be subject to the exception that proceedings by indictment, information, or on appeal for offenses alleged to have been committed or committed in the county of Bristol shall be had in the county of Providence.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-21 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-25 / Section 12-25-21
§ 12-25-21. Nature of compensation.
Status: in_force

(a) The office may award compensation under this chapter for:

(1) Expenses actually and reasonably incurred as a result of the personal injury or death of the victim;

(2) Pecuniary loss to the dependents of the deceased victim;

(3) Any other pecuniary loss resulting from the personal injury or death of the victim, the amount of which the office finds upon the evidence to be reasonable and necessary;

(4) The administrator may issue a supplemental award for compensation for additional medical expenses, including psychiatric care and mental health counseling, provided that the victim provides proper documentation that the additional medical expenses have been actually and reasonably incurred as a direct result of the personal injury. The administrator shall issue a supplemental award as long as the total award does not exceed the maximum award allowable under this chapter;

(5) The administrator may issue an award for expenses related to psychiatric care and mental health counseling for a parent, spouse, sibling or child of a victim who dies as a direct result of a violent crime as defined in this chapter, provided that the parent, spouse, sibling or child provide proper documentation that the psychiatric care and mental health counseling have been actually and reasonably incurred as a direct result of the death of the victim; and

(6) The administrator may issue an award for expenses related to psychiatric care and mental health counseling for a secondary victim, provided that the secondary victim provides proper documentation that the psychiatric care and mental health counseling have been actually and reasonably incurred as a direct result of witnessing the homicide of a victim or the domestic violence incident against a victim. An award issued to a secondary victim for psychiatric care and mental health counseling shall not exceed one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) and shall not be paid upon a secondary victim reaching the age of eighteen (18).

(b) In determining the amount of the judgment or order approving a settlement, the office shall take into consideration the rates and amounts payable for injuries and death under other statutes of this state and of the United States, and the amount of revenue in the violent crimes indemnity account and the number and nature of claims pending against it. The office shall make every effort to ensure that compensation awards are paid within six (6) months of the date of application.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-2-7 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-2 / Section 12-2-7
§ 12-2-7. Payment of officers  Liability for misconduct.
Status: in_force

Railroad and steamboat police officers shall be paid by the corporation or carrier upon whose petition they were appointed, and the corporation or carrier shall be liable to parties for any official misconduct of the officers to the same extent as for torts of agents and servants in their employment, but no town or city shall be responsible for the acts of the officers.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-19-3 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-19 / Section 12-19-3
§ 12-19-3. Deodands  Benefit of clergy  Petit treason.
Status: in_force

Deodands, the plea of the benefit of clergy, and the distinction between petit treason and murder, are abolished. Petit treason shall be prosecuted and punished as murder.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-7-3 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-7 / Section 12-7-3
§ 12-7-3. Arrest without warrant for misdemeanor or petty misdemeanor.
Status: in_force

A peace officer may, without a warrant, arrest a person if the officer has reasonable cause to believe that the person is committing or has committed a misdemeanor or a petty misdemeanor, and the officer has reasonable ground to believe that person cannot be arrested later or may cause injury to himself or herself or others or loss or damage to property unless immediately arrested.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-19-39 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-19 / Section 12-19-39
§ 12-19-39. Criminal street gang enhancement.
Status: in_force

(a) Criminal street gang means an ongoing organization, association, or group of three (3) or more persons, whether formal or informal, having as one of its primary activities the commission of criminal or delinquent acts; having an identifiable name or common identifiable signs, colors, or symbols; and whose members individually or collectively engage in, or have engaged in, a pattern of criminal gang activity.

(b) Any person who is convicted of any felony that is knowingly committed for the benefit, at the direction of, or in association with any criminal street gang or criminal street gang member, with the intent to promote, further, or assist in the affairs of a criminal street gang or criminal conduct by criminal street gang members, in addition to the sentence provided for the commission of the underlying offense, shall be subject to imprisonment for an additional term of not more than ten (10) years.

(c) Whenever it appears that a person may be subject to the enhanced sentence in this section, the attorney general, in no case later than the first pretrial conference, shall file with the court a notice specifying that the defendant, upon conviction, is subject to the imposition of sentencing in accordance with this section.

(d) Upon any plea of guilt or nolo contendere, or verdict or finding of guilt of the defendant, the court shall conduct a sentencing hearing. At the hearing, the court shall permit the attorney general and the defense to present additional evidence to the jury relevant to the determination of whether the defendant knowingly committed the offense for the benefit, at the direction of, or in association with any criminal street gang or criminal street gang member, with the intent to promote, further, or assist in the affairs of a criminal street gang or criminal conduct by criminal street gang members. If the jury at the hearing, or in the case of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, the court at sentencing, determines beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendants actions were so motivated, he or she shall be sentenced as provided in subsection (b).

(e) This section does not create a separate offense but provides an additional enhanced sentence for the underlying offense.

(f) The enhanced sentence provided in this section shall run consecutively to the sentences provided for the underlying offenses.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-6-2 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-6 / Section 12-6-2
§ 12-6-2. Recognizance for cost on complaint within trial jurisdiction of district court.
Status: in_force

Whenever any complaint shall allege the commission of any offense within the jurisdiction of the district court to try and determine, the judge or justice of the peace shall require the complainant, unless he or she is exempted by law, to enter into a like recognizance as is required when complaint is made for any threat.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-19-4 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-19 / Section 12-19-4
§ 12-19-4. Corruption of blood  Forfeiture of estate.
Status: in_force

No conviction or sentence for any offense whatsoever shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture of estate.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-9-17 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-9 / Section 12-9-17
§ 12-9-17. Arrest without warrant.
Status: in_force

The arrest of a person may also be lawfully made by any peace officer or a private person without a warrant, upon reasonable information that the accused stands charged in the courts of a state with a crime punishable by death or imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, but when so arrested, the accused must be taken before a judge with all practicable speed, and complaint must be made against him or her under oath, setting forth the ground for the arrest as in § 12-9-16; and thereafter after that his or her answer shall be heard as if he or she had been arrested on a warrant.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-9-27 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-9 / Section 12-9-27
§ 12-9-27. Application for requisition of person convicted of crime.
Status: in_force

When the return to this state is required of a person who has been convicted of a crime in this state and has escaped from confinement or broken the terms of his or her bail, probation, or parole, the attorney general or the warden of the institution from which escape was made shall present to the governor a written application for a requisition for the return of the person, in which shall be stated the name of the person, the crime of which the person was convicted, the circumstances of his or her escape from confinement or of the breach of the terms of his or her bail, probation, or parole, the state in which the person is believed to be, including the location of the person in that state at the time application is made.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-22-13 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-22 / Section 12-22-13
§ 12-22-13. Errors in pleading.
Status: in_force

No judgment, verdict, or decision shall be set aside, reversed, or new trial granted, in any criminal proceedings, for error as to any matter of pleading, unless in the opinion of the supreme court, after an examination of the entire cause, it shall appear that the error complained of has resulted in a miscarriage of justice.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-21-26 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-21 / Section 12-21-26
§ 12-21-26. Notice of complaint or information.
Status: in_force

Notice of complaint or information shall be issued by the court to the owner, if known, otherwise notice shall be published in some newspaper published in the vicinity for a period of at least two (2) weeks, that all persons interested may appear, either in person or by attorney, at the time and place appointed in the notice for trial, and show cause, if they have any, why judgment of forfeiture should not be passed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-7-20 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-7 / Section 12-7-20
§ 12-7-20. Right to use telephone for call to attorney  Bail bondsperson.
Status: in_force

Any person arrested under the provisions of this chapter shall be afforded, as soon after being detained as practicable, not to exceed one hour from the time of detention, the opportunity to make use of a telephone for the purpose of securing an attorney or arranging for bail; provided, that whenever a person who has been detained for an alleged violation of the law relating to drunk driving must be immediately transported to a medical facility for treatment, he or she shall be afforded the use of a telephone as soon as practicable, which may exceed one hour from the time of detention. The telephone calls afforded by this section shall be carried out in such a manner as to provide confidentiality between the arrestee and the recipient of the call.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-15-3 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-15 / Section 12-15-3
§ 12-15-3. Duty to represent indigent defendants.
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the public defender to represent and act as attorney for indigent defendants in those criminal cases referred to him or her by the supreme court, by the superior courts, by the district courts, and as are set forth in § 14-1-31, and he or she shall be engaged full time in that capacity.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-17-7 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-17 / Section 12-17-7
§ 12-17-7. Release of property held as evidence after escape of defendant.
Status: in_force

If any defendant charged with the commission of any crime or offense after arrest upon indictment, information, or complaint found shall have escaped, the court before which the indictment, information, or complaint shall be pending may, after the lapse of a reasonable time, return and restore any property or estate held pursuant to § 12-7-16 to its owner.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-27-8 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-27 / Section 12-27-8
§ 12-27-8. Written decision of court.
Status: in_force

In making a decision on the obscenity of the book, print, picture, film, motion picture film, magazine, pamphlet, ballad, printed paper, written material, photograph, figment, or other material, the court shall consider, among other things, the evidence offered pursuant to § 12-27-7, if any, and shall make a written determination upon every consideration relied upon in the proceeding in its findings of fact and conclusions of law or in a memorandum accompanying them. No book, print, picture, film, motion picture film, magazine, pamphlet, ballad, printed paper, written material, photograph, figment, or other material shall be found to be obscene unless the court expressly finds it to be obscene beyond a reasonable doubt.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-21.1 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-25 / Section 12-25-21.1
§ 12-25-21.1. Emergency fund for victims.
Status: in_force

(a) The office may award emergency compensation under this chapter for the: (1) Burial expenses of a victim who dies as a direct result of a violent crime as defined in this chapter; (2) Cost of the crime scene clean up; (3) Relocation expenses; and (4) Compensation for modifications to a victims residence necessary to ensure safety.

(b) The award for emergency compensation shall be awarded at the sole discretion of the program administrator. The administrator may promulgate rules and regulations to administer the provisions of this section.

(c) An award for emergency compensation for burial expenses shall not exceed the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

(d) An award for emergency compensation for crime scene clean up shall not exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000).

(e) An award for emergency compensation for relocation costs shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000).

(f) An award for expenses associated with reasonable modifications to the victims residence necessary to ensure victim safety shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) and shall not be awarded in addition to an award for emergency compensation for relocation costs. Further, any ongoing costs or expenses associated with maintaining or monitoring any modification made pursuant to this subsection shall be borne exclusively by the victim.

(g) The award for emergency compensation for burial expenses, crime scene clean up, and relocation costs shall be deducted from the final award. In the event the victim is not eligible for an award, the victim shall repay the amount of the emergency award to the fund.

(h) Any payments made for the emergency compensation shall be deducted from the final award. In no event shall the final award exceed the maximum award of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-10-8 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-10 / Section 12-10-8
§ 12-10-8. Discharge of accused on acknowledgment of satisfaction by complainant.
Status: in_force

Whenever any person shall be committed to a correctional institution, or shall be under recognizance, to answer to a charge of assault or battery, or both, or for any threat of committing an offense against the person or property of another, if the person injured or threatened shall appear before the judge of the district court who issued the warrant of commitment or took the recognizance, and acknowledge in writing that he or she has received satisfaction of the injury, or has ceased to fear the execution of the threat, the judge may, in his or her discretion, upon payment of all costs that may have accrued, including the board of the prisoner in the institution, if committed, discharge the recognizance, or supersede the commitment, by an order under his or her hand, which order shall be filed with the recognizance, or recorded in the records of the institution, as the case may require. That order shall forever bar all remedy by civil action for the injury.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-14-8 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-14 / Section 12-14-8
§ 12-14-8. Violations of Charlestown ordinance.
Status: in_force

The town of Charlestown is authorized and empowered to fix any fines that the committee on police of the town council may, from time to time, establish for violation of traffic ordinances. The committee on police may designate the police department for the purpose of collecting fines as provided in this section, when the offender decides to dispose of the charge without personal appearance in court within seven (7) days from notification. The police department is authorized to receive the fines directly from any person charged with a violation of any provision of the ordinances of the town relating to traffic, and the money so received and collected shall be turned over by the police to the town treasurer. All charges, records, and payments shall be immediately entered by the police, and the books of the police containing records of the violations, their dispositions, and money received as fines shall be audited not less than once every three (3) months by the town auditor of the town. In the event the offender refuses or neglects to dispose of the charges within seven (7) days, then he or she shall be brought before the district court for the fourth division for trial and for any disposition of the case that the court may decide to be proper, in which case the provisions of § 12-14-1, relating to fines, and their disposition, shall prevail.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-9-12.1 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-9 / Section 12-9-12.1
§ 12-9-12.1. Extradition of juveniles.
Status: in_force

(a) When the extradition of a child under the age of eighteen (18) years of age is demanded by another state, the child shall be summoned to appear or ordered to appear before the family court pursuant to the provisions of chapter 1 of title 14.

(b) The provisions of § 12-9-12 shall apply to the hearing conducted by the family court. In addition when the other state seeks the extradition of the child for trial as an adult, the family court shall determine whether or not the child would have been tried as an adult in this state if charged with the offense alleged to have been committed in the other state. The family court shall apply the provisions of §§ 14-1-7 and 14-1-7.1 in making the determination.

(c) No person under the age of eighteen (18) years of age shall be extradited for trial in another state as an adult unless a justice of the family court determines that the person would have been tried as an adult in the state of Rhode Island.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-13-5.2 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-13 / Section 12-13-5.2
§ 12-13-5.2. Drug testing required.
Status: in_force

Every person who shall be charged with or indicted or informed against for an offense involving the unlawful sale, distribution, manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture, sell, distribute, or deliver any controlled substance as classified in schedule I or II in chapter 28 of title 21, or for possession of a controlled substance as classified in schedule I or II in chapter 28 of title 21, may in the discretion of the court, as a condition of bail, be required at his or her own expense to submit to drug testing in accordance with the standards and procedures of the department of health, not less than once per month.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-22-1 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-22 / Section 12-22-1
§ 12-22-1. Right to appeal from district to superior court.
Status: in_force

Every person aggrieved by the sentence of the district court for any offense other than a violation may, within five (5) days after the sentence, appeal from the district court to the superior court for the county in which the division of the district court is situated, by claiming an appeal in the court or in the office of the clerk of the court appealed from or at any of the penal institutions of the state, before any justice of the supreme or superior court, or before a justice or clerk of the court appealed from, or before any of the persons authorized to take bail at the penal institutions.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-21-28 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-21 / Section 12-21-28
§ 12-21-28. Return of property to claimant on bond.
Status: in_force

Unless by law the property seized is necessarily subject, upon judgment of forfeiture, to be destroyed, it shall, at the request of the claimant, be appraised by appraisers appointed for that purpose by the court and be delivered to the claimant upon his or her giving bond in double the amount of the appraised value, with sufficient sureties, running to the person or corporation to whom the property would be forfeited, or to the state, if the state is entitled in whole or part to the property upon forfeiture, to pay to them the appraised value of the property and costs in case final judgment or forfeiture is entered up.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-14-4 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-14 / Section 12-14-4
§ 12-14-4. Violations of Bristol, Johnston, Narragansett, North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Warren, Westerly, West Warwick, and North Providence ordinances.
Status: in_force

The towns of Bristol, Johnston, Narragansett, North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Warren, Westerly, West Warwick and North Providence are authorized and empowered to fix any fines that the respective town council may, from time to time, establish for violation of traffic ordinances. The town councils may designate the police department for the purpose of collecting the fines as provided in this section, when the offender decides to dispose of the charge without personal appearance in court within seven (7) days from the notification. The police department is authorized to receive the fines directly from any person charged with a violation of any provision of the ordinances of the town relating to traffic, and the money so received and collected shall be turned over by the police to the town treasurer. All charges, records and payments shall be immediately entered by the police, and the books of the police containing records of the violations, their dispositions and money received as fines shall be audited not less than once every three (3) months by a town auditor of the town. In the event the offender refuses or neglects to dispose of the charges before seven (7) days, then he or she shall be brought before the district court for the first, fourth, or sixth divisions, as the case may be, for trial and for any disposition of the case that the court may decide to be proper, in which case the provisions of § 12-14-1, relating to fines and their disposition, shall prevail.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-7-6 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-7 / Section 12-7-6
§ 12-7-6. Arrest on warrant not in possession of arresting officer.
Status: in_force

A peace officer may, without having a warrant in his or her possession, arrest any person for whose arrest a warrant has been issued, but after arrest, the warrant shall be shown to him or her as soon as practicable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-24-4 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-24 / Section 12-24-4
§ 12-24-4. Other agencies.
Status: in_force

Any governmental agency, not falling within the description of those required to submit the quarterly uniform crime report set forth in § 12-24-2, which desires to submit a report, shall be furnished with the proper forms by the division of state police. When a report is received by the division of state police from a governmental police agency not required to make a report, the information contained in the report shall be included within the monthly compilation provided for in § 12-24-3.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-17-16 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-17 / Section 12-17-16
§ 12-17-16. Defendants right of discovery.
Status: in_force

In any criminal proceeding where the prosecution is in possession of tangible evidence which may be used at trial of any defendant, the defendant shall have the right upon demand given in writing to the prosecuting authorities to inspect, examine, and/or copy the evidence at a time and place to be fixed by a justice of a court of proper jurisdiction.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-15-4 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-15 / Section 12-15-4
§ 12-15-4. Office facilities.
Status: in_force

The public defender shall have an office in the Providence County Courthouse which shall be assigned to him or her for his or her use by the Providence county courthouse commission.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-1-8.1 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-1 / Section 12-1-8.1
§ 12-1-8.1. Method of identification.
Status: in_force

The bureau of criminal identification in the department of attorney general shall use fingerprints as the exclusive method of positive identification.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-13-24 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-13 / Section 12-13-24
§ 12-13-24. Confidentiality of pretrial services program records.
Status: in_force

(a) Information supplied by a defendant to a representative of the pretrial services program during the defendants initial interview or subsequent contacts, or information obtained by the pretrial services program as a result of the interview or subsequent contacts, shall be deemed confidential and shall not be subject to subpoena or to disclosure without the written consent of the defendant except in the following circumstances:

(1) Information relevant to the imposition of conditions of release shall be presented to the court on a standardized form when the court is considering what conditions of release to impose;

(2) Information furnished by the defendant to the pretrial services program and recorded on a completed interview form shall be furnished to law enforcement officials upon request only if the defendant fails to appear in court when required, after notice to the defendant or the defendants attorney of record;

(3) Information concerning compliance with any conditions of release imposed by the court shall be furnished to the court upon its request for consideration or modification of conditions of release or of sentencing or of probation;

(4) Information relevant to sentencing or probation shall be furnished to the court upon its request for consideration in imposing sentence or probation;

(5) At its discretion, the court may permit the probation officer, for the purpose of preparing the presentence investigation report, and the defense attorney to inspect the completed interview form;

(6) In felony cases, completed pre-arraignment reports shall be provided to the superior court; and

(7) Any person conducting an evaluation of the pretrial release program may have access to all completed interview forms upon order from the supreme court.

(b) At the beginning of the defendants initial interview with a representative of the pretrial services program, the defendant shall be advised of the above uses of information supplied by him or her or obtained as a result of information supplied by him or her.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-27-10 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-27 / Section 12-27-10
§ 12-27-10. Sale while order or decree in effect.
Status: in_force

While a temporary restraining order made pursuant to § 12-27-4 is in effect, or after the entry of a decree or order pursuant to § 12-27-6, or after the entry of a decree or order pursuant to § 12-27-9(a), any person who sells, exhibits, commercially distributes, or commercially publishes or who has the book, print, picture, film, motion picture film, magazine, pamphlet, ballad, printed paper, written material, photograph, figment, or other material with intent to sell, exhibit, or commercially distribute or commercially publish it, is presumed to have knowledge that it is obscene under chapter 31 of title 11.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-19-16 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-19 / Section 12-19-16
§ 12-19-16. Suspension of imprisonment already commenced.
Status: in_force

Imprisonment pursuant to a sentence, once commenced, shall not be subject to suspension by the district court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-16-12 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-16 / Section 12-16-12
§ 12-16-12. Uniformity of construction.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be so interpreted and construed as to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law of the states which enact it.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-21-19 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-21 / Section 12-21-19
§ 12-21-19. Payment of fines to general treasurer  Accounting.
Status: in_force

Whenever a fine is recovered under any statute of this state, the whole of which may be due the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Childrens Friend and Service, or to any other society, or the one-half (Â½) of which may be due the state or any society, or to any person, as complainant, the whole of the fine shall be accounted for with the state controller and paid to the general treasurer. The fine due any society, or the one-half (Â½) fine due any society, or to any person, as complainant, shall be paid by the general treasurer upon order of the state controller and the state controller shall draw his or her order whenever he or she shall receive a proper return or certificate from the clerk of the court in which the fine was imposed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-7-15 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-7 / Section 12-7-15
§ 12-7-15. Severability.
Status: in_force

If any part of §§ 12-7-1  12-7-14 is for any reason declared void, its invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions of those sections.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-1-12 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-1 / Section 12-1-12
§ 12-1-12. Destruction or sealing of records of persons acquitted or otherwise exonerated.
Status: in_force

(a)(1) Any fingerprint, photograph, physical measurements, or other record of identification, heretofore or hereafter taken by or under the direction of the attorney general, the superintendent of state police, the member or members of the police department of any city or town, or any other officer authorized by this chapter to take them, of a person under arrest, prior to the final conviction of the person for the offense then charged, shall be destroyed by all offices or departments having the custody or possession within sixty (60) days after there has been an acquittal, dismissal, no true bill, no information, or the person has been otherwise exonerated from the offense with which he or she is charged, and the clerk of court where the exoneration has taken place shall, consistent with § 12-1-12.1, place under seal all records of the person in the case including all records of the division of criminal identification established by § 12-1-4.

(2) [Deleted by P.L. 2021, ch. 141, § 1 and P.L. 2021, ch. 142, § 1.]

(3) Any person who shall violate any provision of this section shall be fined not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100).

(b) Requirements of this section shall also apply to persons detained by police, but not arrested or charged with an offense, or to persons against whom charges have been filed by the court, and the period of such filing has expired.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, any person who has been charged with a complaint for a crime involving domestic violence where the complaint was filed upon a plea of not guilty, guilty, or nolo contendere pursuant to § 12-10-12, must wait a period of three (3) years from the date of filing before the records associated with the charge can be expunged, sealed, or otherwise destroyed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-20-8 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-20 / Section 12-20-8
§ 12-20-8. Payment of costs where defendant committed to correctional institutions.
Status: in_force

The costs of prosecution and conviction of persons imprisoned in the adult correctional institutions shall be paid by the state, and the payment of those costs shall form no part of the sentence of convicts. Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to prevent the imposition of costs provided for in chapter 25 of this title. The cost of commitment shall be paid by the state except as otherwise provided by the general laws; provided, that persons imprisoned in the adult correctional institutions shall be responsible for any assessments made pursuant to § 23-1-3.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-2-4 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-2 / Section 12-2-4
§ 12-2-4. Arrest and detention of disorderly persons and persons refusing to pay.
Status: in_force

If a passenger upon a railroad train refuses to pay his or her fare, or is noisy or disorderly, a railroad police officer may arrest him or her without a warrant, and remove him or her to the baggage or other suitable car of the train and confine him or her there until the arrival of the train at some station where the passenger can be placed in the charge of an officer, who shall take him or her to some place of lawful detention.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-5-3.14 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-5 / Section 12-5-3.14
§ 12-5-3.14. Complaint for issuance of search warrant  Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
Status: in_force

In addition to those persons specified in § 12-5-3(a)(1), the director of investigations of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the department of attorney general is authorized to sign written complaints, under oath, for the issuance of search warrants.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-9-2 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-9 / Section 12-9-2
§ 12-9-2. Definitions.
Status: in_force

Where appearing in this chapter:

(1) Executive authority includes the governor, and any person performing the functions of governor in a state other than this state.

(2) Governor includes any person performing the functions of governor by authority of the law of this state.

(3) State, referring to a state other than this state, includes any other state or territory, organized or unorganized, of the United States of America.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-13-22 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-13 / Section 12-13-22
§ 12-13-22. Recordation of recognizance  Lien.
Status: in_force

(a) Each recognizance with surety or sureties given in the supreme or superior court shall be recorded by the department of attorney general, and each recognizance with surety or sureties given in the family or district court shall be recorded by the clerk of the courts, within seven (7) days of acceptance of the recognizance by the court, in the office of land records in the city or town in which the real estate pledged as security is located. The fee for filing shall be paid by the defendant or by the defendants surety or sureties. The notice of recognizance shall contain the defendants name, the property owners name, the address of the property, and the assessors plat and lot number. The surety or sureties offering the property shall provide the clerk of the court with the above information before the property is accepted. The surety or sureties shall also provide the clerk of the court with an affidavit that they are the owners of the property or properties and that they will not transfer or further encumber the property or properties within thirty (30) days after the property or properties have been accepted by the court.

(b) Any recognizance notice so recorded shall be a lien on the property or properties pledged in favor of the state of Rhode Island until the attorney general or clerk of the family or district court executes a release of the lien.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-9-33 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-9 / Section 12-9-33
§ 12-9-33. Trial for crimes not specified in requisition.
Status: in_force

After a person has been brought back to this state by, or after waiver of, extradition proceedings, he or she may be tried in this state for other crimes which he or she may be charged with having committed here as well as that specified in the requisition for his or her extradition.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-33-2 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-33 / Section 12-33-2
§ 12-33-2. Statement of claim for compensation.
Status: in_force

(a) In order to present an actionable claim pursuant to this chapter, the claimant must establish by documentary evidence that:

(1) Claimant has been convicted of one or more crimes and, as a result of the conviction, was sentenced to a term of imprisonment and has served all or part of said sentence; and

(2) On grounds not inconsistent with innocence:

(i) Claimant was pardoned of the crime or crimes upon which claimant was sentenced and that are the grounds for the complaint; or

(ii) The judgment of conviction was vacated for reasons other than the ineffective assistance of counsel; or

(iii) The judgment of conviction was reversed for reasons other than the ineffective assistance of counsel; and

(iv) The accusatory instrument was dismissed; and

(3) The claim is not time-barred by the provisions of this chapter.

(b) The claims shall be verified by the claimant.

(c) If the court determines after an examination of the claim that the claimant has not alleged sufficient facts to succeed at trial it shall dismiss the claim, either on its own motion or on the states motion.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-16-1 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-16 / Section 12-16-1
§ 12-16-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter may be cited as the Uniform Act to Secure the Attendance of Witnesses from Without the State in Criminal Cases.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-13-10 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-13 / Section 12-13-10
§ 12-13-10. Deposit of money in lieu of bail.
Status: in_force

Any person who is held in custody or committed upon a criminal charge, if entitled to be released on bail, may at any time, instead of giving surety or sureties, in the discretion of the court, give before the court in which he or she is held to appear his or her personal recognizance to appear and do as ordered by the court, and shall be allowed to deposit, either individually or by another on his or her behalf, with the court in money ten percent (10%) of the amount of bail which he or she is ordered to furnish, and the justice or clerk of the court shall give him or her a certificate, and upon delivery of the certificate to the officer in whose custody he or she is shall be released from custody, and the money shall be deposited in the registry of the court before which the person shall be recognized to appear. Consistent with Article 1, § 9 of the Rhode Island Constitution, the giving of surety, or in the alternative the deposit with the court of ten percent (10%) of the amount of bail set, shall be the sole monetary conditions of the release on bail, except as set forth herein. No court shall require the deposit of cash as the sole monetary condition of the release on bail, except in those cases where the defendant owes court-imposed restitution. Upon the default of the defendant, the court before which he or she is recognized to appear may, at any time thereafter, order the money deposited in the registry of the court be forfeited, subject to the provisions of §§ 12-13-16, 12-13-16.1 and 12-13-16.2, and the money shall be paid to the general treasurer. If money has been deposited and the defendant at any time before forfeiture shall appear before the court to which he or she was recognized to appear, and shall surrender himself or herself, or shall recognize before the court with sufficient surety or sureties, in such an amount, to appear and do as the court may order, or be in any manner legally discharged, then the court shall order the return of the deposit to the defendant. If the money remains on deposit at the time of a judgment ordering the payment of restitution or any assessment made pursuant to § 12-25-28 that has not been waived by the court, the clerk must apply the money in satisfaction of the judgments restitution order or assessment and after satisfying the order or assessment must refund the money surplus, if any, to the defendant or to the individual who posted the money on behalf of the defendant, as the case may be.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-1.1 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-25 / Section 12-25-1.1
§ 12-25-1.1. Transition to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act of 1996.
Status: in_force

New cases shall be filed through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act of 1996, established pursuant to §§ 12-25-16  12-25-30.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-30-11 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-30 / Section 12-30-11
§ 12-30-11. Priority for trial.
Status: in_force

In order to minimize the period of time during which protection must be provided for the witness, the trial of cases in which a protected witness will be testifying shall, upon application of the attorney general, be given priority on the criminal trial calendar by the superior court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-17-5 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-17 / Section 12-17-5
§ 12-17-5. Continuance of trial to conclusion after opening to jury.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding the provisions of § 8-7-2, and notwithstanding the provisions of any other law previously enacted, whenever a criminal trial shall have been opened to a jury the trial shall continue to its conclusion.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-4-3 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-4 / Section 12-4-3
§ 12-4-3. Inquiry into truth of complaint  Sentence to enter recognizance.
Status: in_force

Whenever any accused party shall be brought before the court, the court shall inquire into the truth of the complaint. If it shall appear that the complaint is true and that there is reasonable cause to fear that the threat would be carried into execution, the accused person shall be sentenced to enter into recognizance with sufficient surety or sureties, and in any sum that the court shall direct, with condition to keep the peace towards all the people of this state, and especially towards the person against whom or against whose property the threat shall have been made, for a certain time thereafter not exceeding eleven (11) months, and to pay all the costs of prosecution and conviction.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-20-3 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-20 / Section 12-20-3
§ 12-20-3. Sheriffs fees on commitments and habeas corpus.
Status: in_force

All commitments upon process issued in criminal cases by the supreme court, the superior court within and for the counties of Providence and Newport, and the district court for the second and sixth divisions shall be made by deputy sheriffs attending upon the courts respectively, and all writs of habeas corpus issued by the supreme court, the superior court within and for the counties of Providence and Newport, and the district court for the second and sixth divisions shall be served by deputy sheriffs attending upon the courts respectively, and the deputy sheriffs shall receive no fees for making the commitments or for serving the writs, but shall receive their actual expenses of travel, to be allowed by the court, and which shall not form a part of the bill of costs taxed against a convict under § 12-20-9.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-15-5 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-15 / Section 12-15-5
§ 12-15-5. Powers to accept grants and bequests.
Status: in_force

The public defender shall have the power to apply for and accept grants and bequests of funds from other states, interstate agencies, and independent authorities, and private firms, individuals, and foundations, for the purpose of carrying out his or her lawful responsibilities. The funds shall be deposited with the general treasurer in a restricted receipt account established within the department to permit funds to be expended in accordance with the provisions of the grant or bequest.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-9-36 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-9 / Section 12-9-36
§ 12-9-36. Interstate extradition.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter to the contrary, except as required by federal law, the governor may not comply with any request received from the executive authority of any other state to issue a warrant for the arrest or surrender of any person charged with a criminal violation of a law of that other state where the violation alleged involves legally protected healthcare activity, as defined in § 23-101-2, or aiding and assisting legally protected healthcare activity, as defined in § 23-101-2. Consistent with the requirements of the United States Constitution, this limitation does not apply in the circumstance where the person who is the subject of the request for arrest or surrender was physically present in the requesting state at the time of the commission of the alleged offense and thereafter fled from that state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-19-9 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-19 / Section 12-19-9
§ 12-19-9. Violation of terms of probation  Notice to attorney general  Revocation or continuation of suspension.
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever any person who has been placed on probation pursuant to § 12-19-8 violates the terms and conditions of his or her probation as fixed by the court, the police or the probation authority shall inform the attorney general of the violation, and the attorney general shall cause the defendant to appear before the court. The department of corrections division of rehabilitative services shall promptly render a report relative to the conduct of the defendant, and the information contained in any report under § 12-13-24.1. The division of rehabilitative services may recommend that the time served up to that point is a sufficient response to a violation that is not a new alleged crime. The court may order the defendant held without bail for a period not exceeding ten (10) days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

(b) The court shall conduct a hearing within thirty (30) days of arrest unless waived by the defendant to determine whether the defendant has violated the terms and conditions of his or her probation, at which hearing the defendant shall have the opportunity to be present and to respond. Upon a determination by a fair preponderance of the evidence that the defendant has violated the terms and conditions of his or her probation, the court, in open court and in the presence of the defendant, may:

(1) Remove the suspension and order the defendant committed on the sentence previously imposed, or on a lesser sentence;

(2) Impose a sentence if one has not been previously imposed;

(3) Stay all or a portion of the sentence imposed after removal of the suspension;

(4) Continue the suspension of a sentence previously imposed; or

(5) Convert a sentence of probation without incarceration to a suspended sentence.

(c) The court shall sentence for a violation under subsection (b) of this section in accordance with judicial sentencing benchmarks.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-30-4 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-30 / Section 12-30-4
§ 12-30-4. Noncriminal witnesses.
Status: in_force

Whenever any law enforcement official of the state or any city or town determines that a prospective witness who is not incarcerated, charged, or under investigation for commission of a felony requires custodial protection and/or assistance with relocation due to a threat to the safety of that witness or his or her family, the official shall immediately notify the attorney general. An assistant attorney general and the law enforcement official shall interview the prospective witness to determine what information he or she possesses and what level of protection is required. If they determine that the evidence proffered is reliable and that the protection is necessary, the assistant attorney general shall prepare a written memorandum setting forth a summation of the information to be provided and the nature and cost of the protection to be afforded. This memorandum shall be presented to the witness protection review board for its review and approval pursuant to § 12-30-3.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-27-6 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-27 / Section 12-27-6
§ 12-27-6. Unanswered cases.
Status: in_force

If no one appears and files an answer on or before the return date specified in the order of notice, the court, upon being satisfied that the book, print, picture, film, motion picture film, magazine, pamphlet, ballad, printed paper, written material, photograph, figment, or other material is obscene, may order the clerk of court to enter a decree or order that the book, print, picture, film, motion picture film, magazine, pamphlet, ballad, printed paper, written material, photograph, figment, or other material is obscene, but the court, in its discretion, may except from its decree a restricted category of persons to whom the book, print, picture, film, motion picture film, magazine, pamphlet, ballad, printed paper, written material, photograph, figment, or other material may be exhibited, sold, or distributed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-13-25 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-13 / Section 12-13-25
§ 12-13-25. Nonprofit bail corporations.
Status: in_force

(a) Nonprofit bail corporation means Project Bail, a Rhode Island nonprofit charitable corporation, and other nonprofit charitable corporations organized for the purpose of providing bail or surety as may be designated by the presiding justice of the superior court from time to time.

(b) Nonprofit bail corporations are authorized to provide bail or surety in all courts of the state for all persons eligible under the provisions of this chapter entitled to be released on bail. Nonprofit bail corporations may appoint an agent or agents to act in their behalf.

(c)(1) Nonprofit bail corporations shall not be required to furnish cash or other security for bail but shall be allowed to bail those entitled to be bailed solely on the written promise of the nonprofit bail corporation to pay, in the event a defendant fails to appear at trial or any other appearance in which the defendant is required to be present, the amount of cash bail imposed; provided, the aggregate amount for which any nonprofit bail corporation shall be liable at any one time shall not exceed an amount equal to five (5) times the amount of its capital.

(2) For the purposes of this section:

(i) Cash bail means the amount of cash bail set, or a sum of money equal to ten percent (10%) of the amount of surety bail if surety bail is set; and

(ii) Capital means total assets less total liabilities, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied.

(d) Nonprofit bail corporations:

(1) Shall not be entitled to bail any individual for whom bail has been set in an amount exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) surety bail or five thousand dollars ($5,000) cash bail;

(2) Shall prescribe a program of supervision and counseling for all persons for whom it has furnished bail, which program shall be designed to assure attendance at trial or at any other appearance in which the appearance of the person is required; and the conditions of supervision shall become part of the bail and recognizance conditions of release and with any violation of the conditions the nonprofit bail corporation may move to release surety; and

(3) Shall not furnish bail for any person if the pending charge against the person involves a capital offense or a felony in which the use of force or violence is involved or the sale or delivery of or possession with the intent to sell or deliver over one ounce of a Schedule I or Schedule II controlled substance, as defined in chapter 28 of title 21.

(e) Nonprofit bail corporations shall not be required to deposit any money with the court as required by § 12-13-10. However, upon default of any individual bailed by a nonprofit bail corporation to make any required appearance, the court may order the nonprofit bail corporation to pay any sum not to exceed the amount of the individuals cash bail to the general treasurer. Nonprofit bail corporations shall not be liable for the payment of any fine or court costs which may be owing by any individual.

(f) The presiding justice of the superior court shall register and approve Project Bail and may register and approve other nonprofit bail corporations as bondspersons from time to time. The registration of any nonprofit bail corporation may be revoked at any time by the presiding justice of the superior court and shall be revoked if the nonprofit bail corporation fails to pay any amount for which it is liable under this chapter. Nonprofit bail corporations shall be exempt from the provisions of §§ 12-13-8 and 12-13-21 and rules promulgated pursuant to those sections and from other statutes and rules which are inconsistent with this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-10-4 — RI Code / Title 12 / Chapter 12-10 / Section 12-10-4
§ 12-10-4. Plea on offense beyond trial jurisdiction of district court.
Status: in_force

Whenever any person shall be brought before a district court upon a complaint charging him or her with an offense which is not within the jurisdiction of the court to try and determine, the court may, with the written consent of the attorney general or his or her authorized designee, and with a waiver of indictment or information by such person, acting with the benefit of counsel, receive a plea of guilty or nolo contendere and may impose sentence. There shall be no appeal to the superior court. Any district court judge performing these duties shall receive the same salary as a superior court judge would receive.