Violations, Misdemeanors, and Felonies

Rhode Island, like other states, breaks the severity of criminal offenses down into categories. The three main categories, which are broken down into several additional subcategories, are violations, misdemeanors, and felonies. Each of these covers a large number of different offenses and punishments, but only misdemeanors and felonies leave a mark on your criminal record.

Violations are the least severe legal offenses, including things like speeding tickets or illegal fishing. These are rarely “crimes” in the usual use of the word, but are nonetheless violations of the law. The penalties associated with violations in Rhode Island are usually fines of up to $500. However, refusal to pay these fines, repeated offenses (in some cases), and other factors can upgrade the offense.

The most severe crimes are felonies of varying degrees. Crimes like rape, large-scale arson, and murder are all felonies. These can never be expunged from your criminal record. A felony conviction, being a permanent record, will show up in background checks for the rest of your life and can deny you many job opportunities. In addition, in many states convicted felons are not allowed to vote.

Misdemeanors are crimes that are more severe than violations but not as severe as crimes like grand theft auto or murder. Unlike violations, misdemeanor crimes are potentially punishable by larger fines, jail time, probation, community service, or some combination of those. Examples of crimes that are usually classified as misdemeanors include minor theft, lesser cases of assault, and driving while intoxicated.

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Many misdemeanors can be expunged from your record. If you are a first-time offender, experienced Rhode Island expungement lawyer James Powderly can help you. To learn more, contact us today at 401-662-9006.