Restoring Civil Rights After a Felony in Rhode Island

How Rhode Island law treats restoring rights after a felony, from the state code and official state agencies.

Short answer: Voting returns automatically when a person is discharged from incarceration. Jury service is barred only while a person is serving a sentence of confinement for a felony conviction (the broader felony bar was removed in 2023). R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 17-9.2-3, 9-9-1.1(b), 11-47-5(a), (d)

Restoring rights after a felony	Voting returns automatically when a person is discharged from incarceration. Jury service is barred only while a person is serving a sentence of confinement for a felony conviction (the broader felony bar was removed in 2023). Firearm possession remains banned for anyone convicted of a 'crime of violence' (violating the ban carries 2 to 10 years, with no suspended sentence or probation); for certain domestic-violence misdemeanors the ban ends on expungement or completion of a one-year filing or probation. Jurors: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE9/9-9/9-9-1.1.htm (amended by P.L. 2023, ch. 367 and 368, eff. June 27, 2023); firearms: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE11/11-47/11-47-5.htm . Source: R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 17-9.2-3, 9-9-1.1(b), 11-47-5(a), (d)

Restoring rights after a felony

Voting returns automatically when a person is discharged from incarceration. Jury service is barred only while a person is serving a sentence of confinement for a felony conviction (the broader felony bar was removed in 2023). Firearm possession remains banned for anyone convicted of a 'crime of violence' (violating the ban carries 2 to 10 years, with no suspended sentence or probation); for certain domestic-violence misdemeanors the ban ends on expungement or completion of a one-year filing or probation.

Jurors: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE9/9-9/9-9-1.1.htm (amended by P.L. 2023, ch. 367 and 368, eff. June 27, 2023); firearms: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE11/11-47/11-47-5.htm .

Source: R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 17-9.2-3, 9-9-1.1(b), 11-47-5(a), (d)

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FAQ

How do you restore your rights after a felony in Rhode Island?

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.