The Death Penalty in Rhode Island

How Rhode Island law treats death penalty, from the state code and official state agencies.

Short answer: Rhode Island's murder penalty statutes provide imprisonment, not death. First-degree murder is punished by life imprisonment, and for listed aggravated first-degree murders (for example, murder for hire, murder involving torture, or murder of a police officer, corrections employee, judge… R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 11-23-2, 11-23-2.1, 11-23-2.2

Death penalty	Rhode Island's murder penalty statutes provide imprisonment, not death. First-degree murder is punished by life imprisonment, and for listed aggravated first-degree murders (for example, murder for hire, murder involving torture, or murder of a police officer, corrections employee, judge or firefighter because of their duties) the court may order life without parole; a first-degree murder sentence requires at least 15 years before parole eligibility. Second-degree murder carries 10 years to life. Only the penalty sections of chapter 11-23 were read; the field does not state that no death penalty exists anywhere in state law. Source: R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 11-23-2, 11-23-2.1, 11-23-2.2

Death penalty

Rhode Island's murder penalty statutes provide imprisonment, not death. First-degree murder is punished by life imprisonment, and for listed aggravated first-degree murders (for example, murder for hire, murder involving torture, or murder of a police officer, corrections employee, judge or firefighter because of their duties) the court may order life without parole; a first-degree murder sentence requires at least 15 years before parole eligibility. Second-degree murder carries 10 years to life.

Only the penalty sections of chapter 11-23 were read; the field does not state that no death penalty exists anywhere in state law.

Source: R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 11-23-2, 11-23-2.1, 11-23-2.2

More Rhode Island criminal law

FAQ

Does Rhode Island have the death penalty?

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.