Criminal Justice (Courts)

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 8090: AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN FAMILY COURT

Prohibits a peace officer, as defined in § 12-7-21, from employing threats, physical harm, deprivation, deception, coercion, or psychologically manipulative interrogation tactics during the custodial interrogation of a juvenile.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits coercive interrogation tactics against juveniles, enhancing police accountability and protecting youth rights in criminal proceedings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement

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passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 7757: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- FAMILY COURT

Gives statewide juvenile hearing boards the authority to refer a juvenile offender to a rehabilitative driving course, as part of a disposition of an offense before the board. The order may be enforced by the traffic tribunal.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides juvenile offenders rehabilitative driving courses via court disposition, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 2602: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS IN DISTRICT COURTS

SB 2602 amends Section 12-10-12 to expand eligibility for placing misdemeanor criminal complaints "on file" in district courts. It allows defendants previously convicted of a felony or facing a private complaint to qualify for this process, which avoids formal prosecution. Key provisions require defendants to maintain good behavior, pay court fees, and meet restitution conditions; violations may lead to case revival or sanctions. For domestic violence cases, complaints automatically expire after three years without new charges, leading to expungement without a court motion. This directly affects misdemeanor defendants with prior felony records, offering a path to avoid criminal convictions under specific conditions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands diversion for misdemeanor cases by allowing prior felony convicts to avoid prosecution with good behavior, restitution, and fee payment - aligns with reform goals to reduce recidivism.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Victims' Rights

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 2045: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- PROTECT OUR COURTS ACT

Protects people attending Rhode Island court proceedings from civil arrest without a judicial warrant, ensures court access, sets enforcement rules, and provides remedies for violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects court access and civil rights by prohibiting civil arrest without warrant, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 2288: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT

SB 2288 allows probationers serving one year or more to earn time off their probation for compliance with court conditions, but excludes those serving probation for specific offenses including murder, sexual assault, and driving under the influence causing death. Probationers without violations can earn up to 10 days per month off their sentence, with credits calculated after completing any incarceration. Violations of probation conditions stop credit accumulation and may result in the loss of previously earned credits. The bill takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows probationers to earn sentence reduction for compliance, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism while excluding only severe offenses.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7204: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

HB 7204 would allow individuals with multiple non-violent felony convictions to petition for the removal of their criminal records after completing their sentences for 10 years. This applies to people with more than one felony conviction (excluding crimes of violence) who have paid all court fees and fines, maintained a clean record for 10 years, and demonstrated good moral character. The bill amends existing expungement laws to expand eligibility beyond single offenses, specifically targeting those with multiple non-violent felony convictions. It does not apply to violent felony convictions or cases involving certain offenses under Chapter 29 of Title 12.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands expungement eligibility for non-violent felons after 10-year clean record, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 7133: AN ACT RELATING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS -- DOMESTIC ABUSE PREVENTION

Permits the family court to award possession of household pets to the plaintiff in a domestic abuse complaint, including the enforcement remedy of a restraining order or other injunctive relief.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows pet custody in domestic abuse restraining orders, directly supporting victim safety and access to justice within criminal justice reform framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Drug Policy

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 2307: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- BURGLARY AND BREAKING AND ENTERING

SB 2307 creates a legal presumption that property owners, tenants, or occupants acted in justified self-defense if a person dies or is injured while committing a violent crime (like burglary or assault) on their property. It applies when the property owner reasonably believed the intruder posed an imminent threat of serious harm or death to themselves or others lawfully present. The law presumes self-defense without requiring the owner to retreat, and this presumption can be challenged ("rebutted") in court. It directly affects property owners facing criminal or civil cases involving violent offenders injured or killed during crimes committed on their premises. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates legal presumption for self-defense in property crimes, protecting defendant rights under criminal justice framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

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in committee · Rhode Island · House Jan 28, 2026

HR 7386: JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- JURY NULLIFICATION AS PROPER TRIAL DEFENSE ARGUMENT

HR 7386 proposes a constitutional amendment that would permit criminal defendants to formally argue jury nullification as a defense in court. This means defendants could explicitly state that they believe a law is unjust and request a jury to acquit them despite violating the law. The amendment would directly affect criminal defendants in trials where they seek to use this defense strategy. If approved by voters, it would change courtroom procedures to allow nullification arguments as a standard defense tactic, rather than a jury's informal choice.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allows defendants to formally argue jury nullification as a defense, protecting civil rights and promoting criminal justice reform by enabling juries to reject unjust laws.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2158: AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN FAMILY COURT

Prohibits any questioning of a juvenile who is suspected of delinquent or criminal behavior, unless the parent of guardian of the juvenile is present, or unless an attorney is present or the juvenile and their parents have waived their presence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects juvenile rights during questioning, aligning with civil rights safeguards in criminal justice reform within family court proceedings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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