Rhode Island Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you’ve been charged with a crime, you have the option to hire an attorney. If you’re facing jail time and other consequences, it’s in your best interest to hire an attorney to receive the best possible results.

The answer to this question depends heavily on the circumstances. If you’re facing a relatively minor and straightforward offense, you will typically pay less than if your case is complex or involves a serious crime or aggravating factors. We provide a no-cost case strategy session, where we can give a transparent explanation of our attorney’s fees.

Never speak with the police without an attorney present. Exercise your right to remain silent and clearly request an attorney. Your lawyer will advise you how to best move forward. When you hire Manosh Payette Criminal Defense Attorneys, if you have been arrested, we will handle all communication with police and prosecutors.

The district courts in Rhode Island handle arraignments for cases involving felonies and misdemeanors. Arraignments are the first step in a criminal case. In an arraignment, you are brought before the district court after your arrest. The district court does not hear jury trials. 

In misdemeanor cases, you will hear the charges against you and enter a plea (guilty or not guilty). If you plead not guilty or are accused of committing a felony, the district court judge will set bail. In felony cases, the district court may decide to hold the defendant without bail. 

Your case will go to superior court if (1) you’ve pleaded not guilty in a misdemeanor case or (2) you’ve been charged with or indicted on a felony. After you are arraigned in district court, the case will proceed to the superior court for further proceedings, including pre-trial conferences, possible settlement negotiations, and trial. If you are found guilty, the superior court will also be responsible for sentencing in your case.

The Rhode Island criminal case process generally takes the following form for misdemeanors:

1. You are arrested on misdemeanor charges. 
2. You appear before the district court for an arraignment. 
3. You enter a plea. 
4. If you plead not guilty or decline to enter a plea, the district court will set bail and schedule a pre-trial conference.
5. If you plead guilty, the district court will dispose of the case and handle sentencing. 
6. The superior court will schedule pre-trial conferences and hearings, which may include additional arraignment, settlement negotiations, and evidentiary matters.
7. The superior court will conduct your trial.
8. If you are found guilty, the superior court will determine your sentence, which ranges from probation to the maximum allowable sentence on your charges. 

There are a few major differences for felony accusations. If you are facing felony charges, the district court will not take a plea at your arraignment. Rather, the district court judge will set bail (or decide to hold you without bail). Then, the prosecuting attorney will review the case to determine if there is enough evidence to charge you with a felony. Alternatively, a prosecutor may present your case to a Grand Jury in pursuit of an indictment. 

Once you are charged with a felony, your case will proceed the same way as a misdemeanor (see steps 6-8).