Rhode Island Felony

Rhode Island Felony Penalties and Charges
Felonies in Rhode Island are punishable by as little as a year in a county jail or as much as life in prison. Unlike other states Rhode Island does not classify its crimes into Class A and Class B Felonies. Instead Rhode Island has statutes in which crimes are divided. These degrees set barriers in which sentences can be determines with maximum times possible and minimum times possible for each offense. Many of these degrees include sexual offenses.

Assault Offenses
Assault offenses are divided into different degrees. First Degree Sexual Assault is punishable by up to life in prison with a minimum of no less than ten years in prison. Second Degree Child Molestation sexual assault can have imprisonment for no less than six years and no more than thirty years in a state prison. First Degree Child Molestation sexual assault can have prison terms as low as twenty-five years as up to life imprisonment in a state prison.

Abominable and Detestable Crimes Against Nature can be punished by no less than seven years and no more than twenty years in a state facility. Another degree is that of Assault with Intent to Commit First Degree Sexual Assault. This degree can have an imprisonment sentencing of no less than three years in prison and no more than twenty years in prison. Second Degree Sexual Assault is punishable by up to fifteen years in prison and no less than three years in prison. Third Degree Sexual Assault can have prison time of no more than five years.

Pandering resides in its own separate category with imprisonment of no less than one year and no more than five years. A fine of no less than two thousand dollars and no more than five thousand dollars is also possible in pandering. Indecent Exposure Disorderly Conduct also has its own category with imprisonment terms of no more than one year and a fine possibility of no more than one thousand dollars. A fine and a prison sentence can be given for a single sentence.

Rhode Island Felony Record Expungement
Rhode Island law states that a felony conviction may be expunged after ten years of the completed criminal sentence and probationary period. In these cases other convictions, suspended sentences, fines, and probations cannot be present during the expungement process. Rhode Island law does not permit the expungement of violent crimes, which include larceny, robbery, kidnapping with intent to extort, manslaughter, murder, first degree arson, first degree sexual assault, second degree sexual assault, assault with the intent to murder, first degree child molestation, second degree child molestation, burglary, assault with intent to rob, assault with intent to commit first degree assault, and entering a dwelling housing with the intent to rob, murder, sexually assault, or larceny.

Limitation times are set in place for those eligible for expungement. These include seven years for violation of waste disposal and water pollution, ten years for larceny, extortion, ect., no limit for arson, rape, forgery, bigamy, ect., and three years for other offenses.

See also:
Rhode Island Misdemeanors External link (opens in new window)
Rhode Island Expungement External link (opens in new window)
Rhode Island Gun Laws External link (opens in new window)