Rhode Island Domestic Violence Laws
Domestic violence charges are among the most aggressively prosecuted criminal offenses in Rhode Island. Rhode Island’s Domestic Violence Laws encompass a wide scope of unlawful behavior including assault, disorderly conduct, vandalism, and violation of a no contact order. If you have been charged with domestic violence in Rhode Island, it is critical that you consult with an experienced lawyer. Once the police have become involved, the matter is no longer in your hands. When you contact the Rhode Island domestic violence law firm of Marin, Barrett, and Murphy, we can explain the Rhode Island Domestic Violence Laws and immediately begin taking steps to protect your rights and to avoid the harsh penalties you can face if convicted.
Rhode Island domestic violence laws are complicated and the definition of domestic violence is broad. Under the RI Domestic Violence Laws, "domestic violence" involves the commission of one of sixteen specified offenses, listed above, by "a family or household member against another." The domestic violence law defines "family or household member" to mean "spouses, former spouses, adult persons related by blood or marriage, adult persons who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past three (3) years, and persons who have a child in common regardless of whether they have been married or have lived together, or if persons who are or have been in a substantive dating or engagement relationship within the past one year."
An arrest for one of the specified crimes involving domestic violence leads to the automatic issuance of a no contact order between the defendant and the named victim in the case. The no contact order can only be terminated if (1) the victim appears in court and personally requests that it be dropped (and the Judge agrees to drop it) or (2) the case is dismissed or the defendant is found not guilty after trial.
Experienced Rhode Island Domestic Violence Defense Attorney
A Rhode Island domestic violence conviction can have severe consequences on your life including jail time, mandatory domestic violence counseling, probation, fees and fines, and no contact orders. For that reason, it is extremely important that anyone charged with a crime involving domestic violence in Rhode Island to contact the Marin, Barrett, and Murphy Law Firm to utilize their extensive experience handling domestic violence cases.
Attorney’s Marin, Barrett, and Murphy are all top rated domestic violence lawyers in Rhode Island and represents individuals charged with domestic assault, domestic disorderly conduct, domestic vandalism, and domestic violation of a no contact order. Our Attorneys work with investigators and experts representing clients in the Providence District Court, Kent County District Court, Washington County District Court, and the Newport District Court. In addition, throughout the State the Attorneys at Marin, Barrett, and Murphy represent those charged with felony domestic violence offenses in the Providence Superior Court, Kent County Superior Court, Washington County Superior Court, and the Newport Superior Court.
Contact the Marin, Barrett and Murphy Law Firm
If you or a loved one has been accused of a crime involving domestic violence, we welcome you to read the information contained in this website and call our office and discuss your case with an experienced RI Domestic Violence Lawyer in confidence. If you prefer, you may submit a confidential case questionnaire which will be reviewed and receive a prompt response.
Office Locations and Areas We Serve
- Providence District Court - Barrington, Bristol, Burrillville, Central Falls, Cumberland, East Providence, Pawtucket, Providence, Woonsocket, Warren
- Kent County District Court - Coventry, Cranston, East Greenwich, Foster, Glocester, Johnston, Lincoln, North Kingstown, North Providence, North Smithfield, Scituate, Smithfield, Warwick, West Warwick
- Washington County District Court - Block Island (New Shoreham), Hopkinton, Narragansett, Richmond, South Kingstown, Westerly
- Newport District Court - Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth, Tiverton
RI Domestic Violence Offenses
-Simple Assault
- Felony Assault
- Vandalism
- Disorderly Conduct
- Trespass
- Kidnapping
- Child Snatching
- Sexual Assault
- Homicide
- Violation of a No Contact Order
- Stalking
- Refusal to Relinquish a Telephone
- Burglary
- Arson
- Cyberstalking and Cyberharrassing
- Domestic Assault by Strangulation
Rhode Island Domestic Violence Penalties
If convicted of a Rhode Island domestic violence charge, you will face:
- possible jail sentence
- probation
- fines and fees
- mandatory domestic violence counseling (batters' intervention program)
- no contact order
If convicted of a second offense misdemeanor Rhode Island domestic violence charge , you will face a mandatory jail sentence, minimum 10 days to one year.
If convicted of third offense Rhode Island domestic violence charge , you will face a mandatory jail sentence, minimum one year to ten years.
Immigration Consequences of a Rhode Island Domestic Violence Conviction
If a person is not a citizen of the United States, conviction of a criminal offense including Rhode Island domestic violence creates the risk of deportation, denial of naturalization, exclusion from admission or readmission to the United States, denial of the issuance or extension of an H-1B Visa which allows non-United States citizens to work in this country, or denial of an upgrade of status with the immigration authorities. If you are not a United States Citizen and you have been charged with a crime involving domestic violence in Rhode Island, it is vital that you contact an experienced RI domestic violence lawyer with the experience and knowledge required to navigate all possible immigration consequences you may face.