Rhode Island Criminal Records

In Rhode Island, a criminal record is created when an individual is arrested, held, prosecuted, indicted, or sentenced for a crime. These records contain details about every crime, detention, or interaction the individual has with Rhode Island law enforcement throughout their lifetime.

Rhode Island courts, law enforcement, and government institutions keep track of specific criminal cases and offenses and each resident's criminal history. These agencies forward these criminal records to Rhode Island's Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). The BCI maintains a comprehensive database of criminal histories, which they make accessible to the public in keeping with the provisions of the law.

Are Criminal Records Public in Rhode Island?

Yes, Criminal records are regarded as public records per Rhode Island's Access to Public Records Act (APRA) R.I. General Laws § 38-2-1. However, the Department of Public Safety has the right to exempt certain criminal records from public disclosure with the support of a court order. These exemptions are designed to protect the subject's right to privacy. Access to certain parts of criminal records, including medical records, papers pertaining to attorneys and clients, and other records protected by other federal or state laws, is prohibited.

The procedure for allowing access to public records may differ slightly since all agencies in Rhode Island that create and preserve criminal records have unique methods and processes.

Rhode Island Crime Records by County

Rhode Island crime records include crime data and statistical crime datasets maintained by state and local law enforcement agencies and institutions in the state.

Interested persons may access information on recent crime statistics from the Rhode Island State Police's "Crime in R.I." publication. Reports of criminal activity spanning several years are also featured on the R.I. State Police website at RISP Uniform Crime Reporting Unit.

The FBI also maintains a database of crimes recorded in every county in Rhode Island. Individuals can research crime records submitted to the FBI by county and local law enforcement agencies via the criminal justice information service portal.

Generally speaking, the most up-to-date crime records data can be found on the websites of the police force and county sheriff's offices in Rhode Island. For example, interested persons can find weekly crime statistics, arrest logs, and case logs for the district on the Providence Police Department website in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island Criminal Record Check

A Rhode Island criminal record check, also known as a criminal background check, is performed with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification in Rhode Island.

This check can be performed in person by visiting the Attorney General Julius C. Michaelson Customer Service Center at:

4 Howard Avenue (corner of Pontiac Ave. and Howard Ave.)

Cranston, RI 02920

To request a background check via mail, the requestor will need to mail the following along with the completed application form:

• A release form (signed and notarized form)
• A valid photo ID, state-issued driver's license, or identification card
• United States passport

Completed applications and accompanying documents should be mailed along with a cheque or money order payment of $5.00, payable to "BCI." and a self-addressed and stamped envelope to the following address:

Rhode Island Office of The Attorney General

4 Howard Ave

Cranston RI 02920

Related queries pertaining to the State BCI's may be emailed to BCIstate@riag.ri.gov

Free Criminal Record Search in Rhode Island

Interested persons can find free criminal records in Rhode Island through several third-party aggregator websites. These websites specialize in collating public criminal records from government and other sources. They may be searched using the record holder's first and last name, as well as the state in which the record was first created or where the search subject resides. Requesters can also use other search filters, such as the subject's age and prior address.

What Does it Mean if You Have a Criminal Record in Rhode Island?

A criminal record can have a far-reaching impact beyond a jail sentence. It can also significantly affect the quality of a person's life due to the collateral consequences of the social stigma that can arise from having a record in Rhode Island. For this reason, institutions such as the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights have employment statutes to prevent discrimination of individuals based on their conviction status in some instances. The Fair Chance state government has put forward the Housing Act and Fair Employment Practices Act to minimize the effects of people attempting to improve their lives while having a criminal record.

Some of the implications of having a criminal record in Rhode Island include:

• Difficulty Obtaining a Job: a lot of companies can consider a criminal record a liability and forward their request to consider another similar applicant;
• Difficulty Accessing Safe Housing: a lot of landlords in Rhode Island run background checks on potential tenants before accepting applications, and they often have rules prohibiting the rental of properties by those with particular criminal histories;
• After a conviction, a person may lose their license to drive, depending on the severity of the offenses. In Rhode Island, for instance, a DUI conviction frequently results in license suspension.
• Child Custody and Adoption: A criminal record can hinder the process for a prospective adoptive or foster parent. Federal and Rhode Island child welfare laws require background checks for all potential parents, and some felonies will bar an individual from ever being accepted.

Does Your Criminal Record Clear After 7 Years in Rhode Island?

No, criminal records do not get cleared automatically in Rhode Island. However, eligible individuals can apply to have their criminal records expunged after a stipulated time frame. The process of erasing or sealing a criminal conviction record from the court file is known as expungement. An expungement order effectively removes the criminal conviction from public records by instructing the court to handle it as though it never happened. R.I. Gen. Laws Section 12-1.3-2 provides that only specific arrests or convictions for criminal offenses, such as some misdemeanors and specific non-violent felonies, may be expunged.

Arrest Record Vs. Criminal Record

An arrest record in Rhode Island is a document that includes information about a person's prior arrests made in the state. These documents usually contain information on the arrest itself, such as the charges brought, the time and place of the arrest, the arresting agency, and the case status, in addition to personal identification details like name, date of birth, and physical characteristics. An arrest record, however, indicates that the person was placed under police custody; it does not indicate guilt or conviction. Although arrest records are a valuable source of information regarding an individual's arrest history, they do not present a complete picture of their criminal history. Examining court, conviction, jail, and probation records would also be necessary to comprehend a person's criminal past fully. This information can be found in a criminal record.

Rhode Island Police Records

Rhode Island police records are documents relating to the official functions of law enforcement officials and agencies in the state. They differ from criminal records, which typically focus on a person's involvement in illegal activity and their consequent interactions with the judiciary. Hence, criminal records encompass arrest information, convictions, and sentencing information. Police records include arrest and incident reports, arrest logs, search warrants, coroner's office reports, and other official documents about the day-to-day activities of law enforcement.