Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Providence

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Providence, Rhode Island?

  The local authorities at Providence provided (401) 272-3121 as the non-emergency contact number of the police station in case of a non-urgent incident.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Providence, Rhode Island?

  A person can inquire and request a copy of a police report at the records office of Providence by dialing (401) 243-6416. Requests may take up to ten business days before availability. Access to the Public Records Act requires a fee of $0.15 per copied page.

• What are the consequences of a domestic violence charge in Providence?

  A convicted person with domestic violence charges in Providence is penalized with a prison sentence, domestic violence counseling, probation conditions, payment of fees and fines, and no contact order with the victim. If a person committed a second offense misdemeanor domestic violence charge, he serves a minimum of ten days up to one year of mandatory jail time. A third-offense violator faces a minimum of one year to ten years imprisonment.

• Is domestic violence considered a felony in Providence?

  Under the Rhode Island General Laws and domestic violence prevention act, the first simple act of domestic assault is a misdemeanor. If a person in Providence commits domestic assault more than twice, it becomes a felony penalized for jail time of at least one to ten years. There is also domestic assault with the intent to commit a felony, which faces between one to twenty years in prison, and felony domestic assault, which either results in no injury, bodily injury, or serious bodily injury.

• Does Providence require a sex offender registry?

  Under the Rhode Island Sexual Offender Registration and Community Notification Act, some criminal convictions require a person who resides in Providence to register as a sex offender in the area. The statute obligates the registered sex offender to verify their basic information and residential address quarterly by either calling (401) 243-6301, going to the Public Safety Complex at 325 Washington Street, Providence, RI, or emailing (sor@providenceri.gov).

• What are the prevalent defenses used against domestic violence charges in Providence?

  The most commonly used defenses against domestic violence charges in Providence are false accusation, self-defense, suppressed evidence, defense of others, uncooperative victims, and direct contradiction. There is also the lack of a "domestic" relationship, defined in the Rhode Island General Laws 12-29-2(b), as only definite relations can advance to a domestic offense. Charges are only allowed for spouses, engaged couples, substantive "dating" relationships, married, blood-relative, or individuals who have at least lived together for three years.

• Does Providence have a statute of limitation for domestic violence charges?

  Generally, bringing up a domestic violence charge alone in Providence has no ordained time, but the inherent nature of the crime determines the statute of limitation. In the Rhode Island general laws § 12-12-17, a criminal offense has three years unless the law promulgated a longer statute of limitation. However, domestic violence relating to homicide is an exemption.