Rhode Island Criminal Lawyer

Violent Crimes

If you have been charged with a violent crime, it is extremely important you consult with an experience Rhode Island violent crime attorney as soon as possible. Violent crimes generally provide for the harshest punishments and never should be taken lightly. In Rhode Island, commonly committed violent crimes include: robbery, armed robbery, assault, battery, murder, manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, gang crimes, kidnapping, arson, domestic violence, stalking, hate crimes, carjacking and sexual assaults. If a weapon is used in commission of a violent crime, a sentencing enhancement will be attached. Below is a list of commonly charged violent crimes.

ASSAULT & BATTERY

An assault and battery occurs when there is an intentional touching of another without their consent or where someone is reasonably put in fear of an immediate touching by another.

Penalty

Imprisonment up to one year and/or fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).

FELONY ASSAULT

Any assault or battery with a dangerous weapon, or an assault or battery resulting in serious bodily injury. Serious bodily injury includes any physical injury that either creates a substantial risk of death, causes impairment of the function of a body part, member or organ, or causes serious permanent disfigurement.

Penalty

Imprisonment for up to twenty years.

ASSAULT ON A POLICE OFFICER

Any person who commits an assault or battery on a uniformed member of the police, a probation officer, parole officer, state case worker, state investigator, judge, firefighter, correctional officer, campus security, bus driver or department of the attorney general.

Penalty

Felony punishable by imprisonment up to three years and/or fined up to fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500).

ASSAULT W/ INTENT TO COMMIT (MURDER, ROBBERY, SEXUAL ASSAULT, BURGLARY)

Penalty

Imprisonment not less then one year and a maximum of up to twenty years.

FIRST DEGREE ROBBERY

1. Robbery by use of a dangerous weapon;
2. Robbery where a victim is injured; or
3. Robbery where the victim is a person who is severely impaired or an elderly person;

Penalty

Imprisonment for a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life and/or fined up to $15,000.

SECOND DEGREE ROBBERY

Robbery or other larceny from a person by force or threat, where there is no weapon, no injury and the victim is not severely impaired or elderly.

Penalty

Imprisoned for a minimum of five years and a maximum of 30 years, and/or fined up to ten thousand dollars $10,000.