New Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Law Approved in Rhode Island That Extends the Lookback Period to 10 Years

On Monday, July 15, 2024, a new DUI legislation was approved for the first time since 2008. This new law will extend the lookback period of repeat DUI suspects from 5 years to 10 years. This new law was approved by the Rhode Island General Assembly and it was signed by Governor Dan Mckee.

What is the new DUI law in Rhode Island?

This new DUI law will allow the prosecution and law enforcement to extend the lookback period of habitual offenders from 5 years to 10 years for an enhanced penalty. They will be able to see if a driver has been convicted of a DUI during the past 10-year period of time and use it to seek a stricter sentence based on the prior convictions.

The reason for this new law is to attempt to deter repeat DUI offenders in Rhode Island with harsher penalties.

How will the new lookback law affect the DUI process in Rhode Island?

If you receive a DUI charge and have had others in the past 10 years, the prosecution will be able to look back 10 years instead of 5 years to try to get harsher penalties.

When will this lookback law go into effect in Rhode Island?

This new law is expected to go into effect on July 1st, 2025.

What do I do if I am charged with a DUI in Rhode Island?

If you ever find yourself charged with a DUI, it’s vital that you contact a skilled attorney who is willing to go the extra mile, like the Rhode Island DUI attorneys at Ellison Law LLC who have been navigating the legal system for years, bringing justice to their clients. You can contact us through our website or directly call us at (401) 230-5520.