Expungements in Rhode Island
You’ve committed a crime over a decade ago and have stayed out of trouble and turned your life around since. However, that conviction still haunts your life through public record searches, job application notification and housing applications. Rhode Island has recently expanded who is eligible to have their criminal records expunged. You may now qualify for an expungement
An expungement is the “under Rhode Island General Law § 12-1.3.-2(2).
What is an expungement?
Sealing and retention of all records of a conviction and/or probation and the removal from active files of all records and information relating to conviction and/or probation.” RIGL § 12-1.3-1(2).
My case was dismissed, can I get it off my record?
Rhode Island Law, RIGL 12-1-12.1, allows the “sealing” of certain matters that resulted in an acquittal or an exoneration. These can include a dismissal, a not guilty finding after trial, a no true bill after a grand jury proceeding, or a no information after the Attorney General’s felony screening process.
You are eligible to have any dismissed criminal case sealed from your record regardless of what other criminal matters are on your record.
If you posted your bail or had a family or friend do so, please check to make sure that you have retrieved the bail money from the court prior to the sealing of the case. Rhode Island General Law states that any and all bail money relating to a case that remains on deposit and is not claimed at the time of sealing shall be forfeited.
What records are affected if my case is expunged?
Rhode Island Law states that the following records will be sealed, “all court records, all records in the possession of any state or local police department, the bureau of criminal identification and the probation department, including, but not limited to, any fingerprints, photographs, physical measurements, or other records of identification.” RIGL §12-1.3-1(5).
Who qualifies as a First Offender?
Rhode Island Law defines a first offender as “a person who has been convicted of a felony offense or a misdemeanor offense, and who has not been previously convicted of or placed on probation for a felony or a misdemeanor and against whom there is no criminal proceeding pending in any court.” RIGL §12-1.3-1(3).
Are any crimes prohibited from Expungement?
Rhode Island Law prohibits crimes of violence from being expunged. RIGL §12-1.3-2(a). Crimes of violence are murder, manslaughter, first degree arson, kidnapping with intent to extort, robbery, larceny from the person, first degree sexual assault, second degree sexual assault, first and second degree child molestation, assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to rob, assault with intent to commit first degree sexual assault, burglary, and entering a dwelling house with intent to commit murder, robbery, sexual assault, or larceny. RIGL §12-1.3-1(1).
Am I eligible for an expungement?
You are eligible for an expungement if you meet the following criteria:
1. You are a first-time offender.
2. You have waited the requisite period of time since the completion of their sentence.
a. five (5) years for misdemeanors
b. ten (10) years for felonies
3. During the waiting period, you have not been convicted of nor arrested for any felony or misdemeanor.
4. There are no criminal proceedings pending against you.
5. You have exhibited good moral character.
6. You have paid off all court fines, fees or restitution.
7. Your Rehabilitation has satisfied the Court and
8. The expungement of the records is consistent with the public interest.
IF YOU HAVE A FELONY CONVICTION YOU CANNOT GET ANY OTHER CRIMINAL CASES REMOVED EXPECT FOR DISMISSALS OR DECRIMINALIZED OFFENSES.
I have multiple misdemeanor convictions, am I eligible for an expungement?
The short answer is it depends. The Rhode Island General Assembly has recently expanded who is eligible for expungements outside of first offenders. However, they have specifically prohibited certain crimes from expungement if you have multiple misdemeanor convictions. The following crimes are not eligible, Crimes of violence, Domestic Violence Convictions, Driving Under the Influence and Chemical Test Refusals.
You may be eligible to expunge multiple misdemeanor convictions if you meet the following criteria:
1. You have been convicted of more than one (1) but less than six (6) misdemeanors.
2. You have not been convicted of a felony.
3. You have waited ten (10) years since the completion of your last misdemeanor sentence.
4. During the ten (10) years since the completion of your last sentence, you have not been arrested nor convicted of any felony or misdemeanor.
5. You have no pending criminal cases.
6. You have exhibited good moral character.
I was sentenced to a deferred sentence, am I eligible for an expungement?
Upon your successful completion of a deferred sentence you may be eligible for an expungement if you meet the following criteria:
1. You complied with all the terms and conditions of the deferred sentence agreement, including paying all fines, fees and costs.
2. You have no pending criminal charge.
3. You have not previously been convicted of a crime of violence.
4. You have exhibited good moral character.
What does “exhibited good moral character” mean?
According to Rhode Island Law, RIGL § 12-1.3-3(b)(2) the Judge or Magistrate hearing the expungement motion must be satisfied that you, the petitioner, have been satisfactorily rehabilitated and that the expungement of the records of his or her conviction is consistent with the public interest. In theory you can meet every requirement but still be denied by the Court if you fail to meet this burden.
Contact the Law Office of Matthew L. LaMountain to walk you through this process and determine if you meet the requirements for an expungement. We will file the necessary paperwork to get your criminal convictions expunged and help prepare your case to show the Court that you have exhibited good moral character since your conviction.
I got my conviction(s) expunged, now what do I do?
According to Rhode Island General Law 12-1.3-4, once your convictions are expunged you may state that you have never been convicted of a crime with the following exceptions, where you must disclose the fact of a conviction:
· an applicant for a law enforcement agency position,
· for admission to the bar of any court,
· an applicant for a teaching certificate, under chapter 11 of title 16,
· a coaching certificate under § 16-11.1-1, or
· the operator or employee of an early childhood education facility pursuant to chapter 48.1 of title 16.
According to Rhode Island Law, the records may be used in the future if you are convicted of a subsequent crime, the expunged conviction may be considered as a prior conviction in determining the sentence to be imposed. RIGL 12-1.3-4.