How Does Rhode Island Classify a Felony, Misdemeanor, Petty Misdemeanor and Violation?

There are different levels of punishments for crimes in Rhode Island. There are different types of crimes that are associated with different punishments. These labels given to crimes can have significant meanings under the law and the consequences of them are distinctive. What you are charged with will have a significant impact on the type of punishment you could face.

This is why it is so important to understand what you may be facing so you understand better what your options may be for a criminal defense strategy.

The attorneys at Ellison Law LLC have experience handling all ranges of crimes in Rhode Island. Please keep reading below to help understand the different types of penalties you can receive for a crime in Rhode Island.

What is a Felony in Rhode Island?

A felony in Rhode Island is defined as any criminal offense that may be punished by imprisonment for any term more than one year or by a fine of more than $1,000.

Here are some common examples of felonies that Ellison Law LLC frequently represents people on:

• Assault on a Police Officer
• Assault on Health Care Providers
• Felony Assault
• Possession of a Firearm
• Felony Larceny
• Breaking and Entering
• DUI with Death Resulting
• DUI resulting in Serious Bodily Injury
• Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Personal Injury

What is a Misdemeanor in Rhode Island?

A misdemeanor in Rhode Island is defined as any criminal offense that may be punished by imprisonment for any term that does not exceed one year in prison or by a fine of more than $1,000 or both.

Here are some common examples of misdemeanors that Ellison Law LLC frequently represents people on:

• DUI
• Simple Assault
• Violation of a No Contact Order
• Misdemeanor Larceny
• Vandalism
• Shoplifting
• Reckless Driving
• Obstruction of Justice
• Resisting Arrest
• Trespassing

What is a Petty Misdemeanor in Rhode Island?

A petty misdemeanor in Rhode Island is defined as any criminal offense that may be punished by imprisonment for any term that does not exceed 6 months in prison or by a fine not more than $500 or both.

A common example of a petty misdemeanors that Ellison Law LLC frequently represents people on is Disorderly Conduct. Disorderly Conduct is punished by up to 6 months in prison and/or a $500 fine.

What is a violation in Rhode Island?

A violation in Rhode Island is defined as any offense in Rhode Island that may be punished by a fine of not more than $500.

What is the difference between a Misdemeanor and a Felony in Rhode Island?

A misdemeanor is considered a less serious charge than a felony. The main difference between a misdemeanor and a felony is the amount of jail time you could potentially be facing. A felony has a potential punishment that is more than a year in jail, while a misdemeanor has a potential punishment that is a year or less in jail. A felony conviction is considered more serious than a misdemeanor conviction and could affect an employment application, licensure application or a housing application in a worse way than a misdemeanor conviction would. The wait time to get a felony expunged is longer than the wait time to get a misdemeanor expunged in Rhode Island. There are many other distinctions under the between a felony and a misdemeanor and both charges can have serious legal consequences

How Does the Law Define a Felony, Misdemeanor, Petty Misdemeanor and a Violation in Rhode Island?

The breakdown in the different types of penalties and categories of crimes comes from Rhode Island General Laws § 11-1-2 which states the following:

Unless otherwise provided, any criminal offense which at any given time may be punished by imprisonment for a term of more than one year, or by a fine of more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), is declared to be a felony; any criminal offense which may be punishable by imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both, is declared to be a misdemeanor; any criminal offense which may be punishable by imprisonment for a term not exceeding six (6) months or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or both, is declared to be a petty misdemeanor; and any offense which may be punished by only a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) is declared to be a violation.

What should I do if I get a Criminal Charge in Rhode Island?

If you received a criminal charge in Rhode Island, whether it is a misdemeanor or felony charge, you should contact a skillful criminal defense attorney like the attorneys at Ellison Law LLC, which are here to help you navigate the legal system. Contact us today at 401-230-5520 to see how we can help.