Rhode Island Arrest Records

In Rhode Island, state-affiliated law enforcement agencies, such as the police department or sheriff's office, arrest individuals who violate state laws and statutes. An arrest can result in the temporary or permanent loss of a person's freedom.

Law enforcement agencies, such as Providence, Warwick, and Narragansett Police Department create arrest records when they arrest individuals. These documents contain the arrestee's personal information, such as their name, age, and physical description. They also provide crucial details about the arrest procedure, including the time, date, charges, and an account of the incident.

Rhode Island arrest records are essential for maintaining public safety, conducting criminal record checks, and assisting with legal proceedings. They include thorough details about a person's criminal past, which helps the judiciary, law enforcement, and employers make educated judgments about investigations, hiring, and court cases.

Rhode Island Arrest Statistics

According to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) database, Rhode Island law enforcement agencies reported 23,412 arrests in 2023, comprising 17,135 male and 6,250 female arrestees. Of the total arrests in 2023, 21,182 were adults and 2,230 were minors. During this period, simple assault and DUI incidents accounted for 30.5% of arrests within Rhode Island. The table is a summary of Rhode Island's arrests for 2023.

Are Arrest Records Public in Rhode Island?

Yes, in Rhode Island, arrest records are public documents anyone can access upon request. According to the Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act, all government law enforcement agencies are required to provide arrest logs and other arrest-related information upon request and through public channels, unless a specific statute or direct court order prohibits the release of such records. The following general exemptions under state law, APRA § 38-2-2, may limit the release of arrest records:

• Juvenile arrest records
• Records of ongoing investigations may be excluded.
• Information that would violate the privacy of witnesses and victims who were part of the arrest may be concealed.
• Records disclosing proprietary methods, protocols, or tactics may be excluded
• Information that might betray their identity is usually excluded
• Psychiatric or medical information found in arrest records is often excluded
• Information that has been erased by a court order is not available to the general public.

Find Public Arrest Records in Rhode Island

There are several options for accessing arrest records in Rhode Island. Interested individuals can request Rhode Island arrest records in person, online, by mail, or over the phone. The following steps are guidelines on how to find arrest records in Rhode Island:

• Identifying the custodian of the arrest records: Interested individuals should determine which law enforcement agency made the arrest, or they can contact the Rhode Island State Police, as all arrest records are kept by either the Rhode Island State Police or local and city law enforcement agencies
• Use the custodian agency's public channels after determining which one offers the data. This may entail completing request forms with the necessary search parameters, which often include the name or case number of the person who was arrested. The requester can then submit the request by mail or in person. Interested parties may also search to obtain information about arrests using public online channels. The agency would then confirm the requested record's availability.

Alternatively, contact the sheriff's offices in each of the state's five counties. The Rhode Island Division of Sheriffs (which collaborates with the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC)), oversees all county sheriff's offices in Rhode Island (one of the few states with a single penal system). This indicates that the RIDOC is in charge of all arrests and pre-trial inmates in the counties; hence, it has access to all online rosters that are in use. Note that the photos of the inmates on these rosters are not from mugshot databases, which are usually made when county sheriff's offices in other states take pictures of the inmates after they are booked. Applicants may be required to offset processing costs where applicable.

Individuals seeking access to restricted arrest records may need to subpoena the records custodian agencies. In Rhode Island, a subpoena allows a person to view restricted or concealed records. A court judge or magistrate issues a subpoena, a legal document that directs the recipient to produce a specific document or an individual to appear in court. When a court issues a subpoena, the record custodian receives the document and must comply completely. The Rhode Island Statutes, Section 9-1.1-6, provides comprehensive guidance that outlines the steps for obtaining and completing a subpoena.

How to Lookup Arrest Records Online in Rhode Island

Rhode Island arrest records are accessible online through official resources or independent websites. Local law enforcement agencies and state government agencies may provide online lists that allow the public to conveniently access arrest information through incarceration records. These resources are often available to the general public for free. For instance, the Rhode Island Department of Corrections maintains an online Inmate Roster, which the public can use to find details about an arrest.

The public can also visit independent websites that have databases on Rhode Island arrest information or criminal case records. Typically, these portals permit users to search for records using names, case numbers, and other criteria to look for Rhode Island arrest records. However, to ensure the quality and completeness of documents, users must validate any information they get from non-governmental sources.

What is Included in Rhode Island Arrest Records?

Per Section 38-2-3.2 of the Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act, arrest records typically incorporate the following details:

• The arrestee's full name (first, middle, and last name)
• The arrestee's residential address, unless it would reveal the victim's identity
• The date of birth of the arrested adult
• The charge or charges levelled against the arrestee
• The date of the arrest
• The time of the arrest
• The gender of the arrestee
• The race of the arrestee

The arresting officer's name, unless disclosing it would reveal the identity of an undercover agent.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Rhode Island?

In Rhode Island, a person's arrest record generally remains a part of their criminal history indefinitely unless a court with jurisdiction seals or removes it. However, there may be automatic expunction of police records relating to juvenile arrests, detentions, and case disposition under Rhode Island General Laws § 14-1-64 (unless the minor was tried as an adult).

Expunge an Arrest Record in Rhode Island

Expungement is a legal process that seals or removes a record from public access. In Rhode Island, subjects of arrest records may file motions for expungement under the following terms:

• The arrest did not result in a conviction: This means a court did not find the suspect guilty of the alleged crimes
• The arrest is for a first-time misdemeanor or an eligible non-violent felony
• The underlying crime for the arrest is deferred or placed on file. An arrest record may qualify for expunction if prosecutors do not file charges within one year after the incident
• The arrest record is for a decriminalized offense. For instance, arrests for suspended-license violations and certain marijuana possession may be eligible for expungement.

Additionally, applicants must observe the applicable waiting period for their offenses before applying for expungement. These may range between 5 and 10 years for misdemeanors, and 10 years for felony arrests.

The following steps may aid eligible individuals in expunging their Rhode Island arrest records:

• Obtain certified copies of disposition documents from the court and criminal history records from the Rhode Island Attorney General's office
• Complete and file an expungement motion with the Clerk of the District or Superior Court that handled the resulting trial
• Pay applicable filing fees:
  • Non-conviction arrest records: $0.00
  • Misdemeanor arrest: $50.00
  • Felony arrest: $100.00
• Serve notice of the petition to the arresting agency and the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office at least 10 days before the hearing
• Attend the expungement hearing to prove eligibility and defend the reasons the court should expunge the arrest record. The judge may approve or deny the motion
• If the petition is successful, obtain the expungement order from the Court and distribute copies to the relevant agencies (for instance, the arresting agency and the Rhode Island Bureau of Criminal Investigation)
• Follow up to ensure compliance within 45 days.

Applicants should note that expunged arrest records may be accessible to:

• Law enforcement
• The sentencing court (if the subject is charged again)
• Professional licensing or character/fitness review boards
• Commissioner of elementary and secondary education
• Individuals with court orders.

How Do I Find Recent Arrests in Rhode Island?

There are several options for accessing recent arrest records in Rhode Island. Many municipal police departments and county sheriff departments maintain websites that list recent arrest records. For instance, the Rhode Island Department of Corrections provides an inmate search engine on its website that offers information about recent arrests and incarceration details. Likewise, the City of Providence Police Department provides a 60-day online arrest log on its website. Other alternatives include:

• Visiting local law enforcement offices and directly requesting information on recent arrests
• Search for information about recent arrests through third-party online repositories that provide access to Rhode Island law enforcement and court records.

Are Rhode Island Arrest Records Free?

Official websites for county Sheriff's offices and state record custodians in Rhode Island usually do not provide free access to full arrest records. Law enforcement authorities that maintain these records typically charge a fee or require a formal request to obtain them. However, some counties may offer unrestricted access to arrest logs or recent arrest reports on their sheriff's websites. For a person to request full data, they often need to contact the Department of Corrections or the Rhode Island Judiciary.