Facing a criminal charge in Rhode Island

Bond and pretrial release in Rhode Island

Article I Section 9 of the Rhode Island Constitution guarantees the right to bail except for offenses punishable by life imprisonment when proof of guilt is evident or presumption great. R.I. Gen. Laws Sec. 12-13-1 through 12-13-25 govern bail. Sec. 12-13-1.3 directs the court to consider the least restrictive conditions that will reasonably assure appearance and community safety. Forms include release on personal recognizance, unsecured bond, cash bond, and surety bond. R.I. Superior Court Rule of Criminal Procedure 46 and District Court Rule 46 govern bail procedures. Rhode Island also recognizes statutory categories of cases where the trial judge may consider denial of bail for offenses punishable by life imprisonment, subject to a probable cause and proof hearing under R.I. Const. art. I sec. 9.

Bond amounts, conditions, and timelines vary by county and judge. Confirm with counsel or the court.

Criminal defense attorneys serving Rhode Island

Our directory is still building in Rhode Island. Public-defender intake is available now.

Record clearing in Rhode Island

Rhode Island expungement is governed by R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 12-1.3. The statute provides a petition-based pathway through the court that, when granted, expunges eligible misdemeanor and felony convictions after a waiting period tied to the offense level. The statute provides expungement after a five-year waiting period for misdemeanor convictions and a ten-year period for eligible felonies, each measured from completion of sentence. Crimes of violence as defined in 11-47-2, domestic violence offenses, and DUI causing death or serious injury are excluded. The motion is filed in the court of conviction.

Eligibility, waiting periods, and the petition vs. automatic pathway depend on the conviction class and the date of the offense. Confirm with counsel or the court record.

Public defender intake in Rhode Island

Rhode Island Office of the Public Defender serves STATEWIDE County. Public defenders are appointed by the court based on financial eligibility. We do not refer you to a specific public defender and we do not represent you.

Public defenders are appointed by the court based on financial eligibility. LawSensai does not refer you to a public defender and does not represent you. This packet is a courtesy summary you can share with your public defender or their intake staff. You remain responsible for applying to the court for appointed counsel.