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Self-Defense Laws in Rhode Island

Whether Rhode Island has a duty to retreat or a stand your ground law, and how the castle doctrine applies at home.

Short answer: If any person dies or is injured while committing one of the offenses listed in §§ 11-8-2 through 11-8-6 (burglary and breaking-and-entering offenses), it is rebuttably presumed as a matter of law in any civil or criminal proceeding that the owner, tenant, or occupier of the place where… R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-8-8

Castle doctrine (defending your home)If any person dies or is injured while committing one of the offenses listed in §§ 11-8-2 through 11-8-6 (burglary and breaking-and-entering offenses), it is rebuttably presumed as a matter of law in any civil or criminal proceeding that the owner, tenant, or occupier of the place where the offense was committed acted by reasonable means in self-defense and in the reasonable belief that the person engaged in the offense was about to inflict great bodily harm or death upon that person or any other individual lawfully in the place. There shall be no duty on the part of an owner, tenant, or occupier to retreat from any person engaged in the commission of any of those listed offenses.
Last amended by P.L. 1984, ch. 212, § 1.
Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-8-8

More Rhode Island criminal law

FAQ

Does Rhode Island have a castle doctrine?
If any person dies or is injured while committing one of the offenses listed in §§ 11-8-2 through 11-8-6 (burglary and breaking-and-entering offenses), it is rebuttably presumed as a matter of law in any civil or criminal proceeding that the owner, tenant, or occupier of the place where the offense was committed acted by reasonable means in self-defense and in the reasonable belief that the person engaged in the offense was about to inflict great bodily harm or death upon that person or any other individual lawfully in the place. There shall be no duty on the part of an owner, tenant, or occupier to retreat from any person engaged in the commission of any of those listed offenses.

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.