R.I. Gen. Laws
Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-1-1 (2026)

Common law offenses not covered by statute

✓ current as of July 2026
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Every act and omission which is an offense at common law, and for which no punishment is prescribed by the general laws, may be prosecuted and punished as an offense at common law. Every person who shall be convicted of any offense which is a misdemeanor at common law shall be imprisoned for a term not exceeding one year or be fined not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500). Every person who shall be convicted of any offense which is a felony at common law shall be imprisoned for a term not exceeding five (5) years or be fined not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000).

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 16 cases, 1975–2015 · leading case: State v. LaPlume, 375 A.2d 938 (R.I. 1977).
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State v. LaPlume, 375 A.2d 938 (R.I. 1977). · cites it 7× “The indictment charged that he “* * * did unlawfully contrive, confederate and conspire * * * to commit a criminal and unlawful act, to wit, to murder Joyce May Brankio, in violation of §11-1-1 G.L. R.I., 1966, as amended.” The •case was tried before a justice of the Superior…”
State v. MacArelli, 375 A.2d 944 (R.I. 1977). · cites it 7× “1956 (1969 Reenactment) §11-1-1 but stayed its execution pending appeal.”
State v. Price, 672 A.2d 893 (R.I. 1996). · cites it 8× “” Common Law Offense Statute: G.L.1956 § 11-1-1. The state contended, and we agree, that the inherent power of the courts to punish *898 for contempt of their authority is not controlled by the common law offense statute, § 11-1-1.”
State v. John Whiting, 115 A.3d 956 (R.I. 2015). · cites it 6× “Notwithstanding this maximum, the defendant was sentenced to five years imprisonment under G.L.1956 § 11-1-1, which at the time provided: “Every act and omission which is an offense at common law, and for which no punishment is prescribed by this title, may be prosecuted and…”
State v. Donato, 414 A.2d 797 (R.I. 1980). · cites it 3× “1956 (1969 Reenactment) § 11-1-1, as amended by P.L.1975, ch. 283, § 1, but who were alleged participants in the same grand scheme.”
State v. Anthony, 422 A.2d 921 (R.I. 1980). “…robbery in violation of G.L. 1956 (1969 Reenactment) § 11-23-1; (2) conspiring to rob Scott Prescott in violation of § 11-1-1 and § 11-39-1; (3) the robbery of Scott Prescott in violation of § 11-39-1; (4) the possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of…”
State v. Byrnes, 433 A.2d 658 (R.I. 1981). “1956 (1969 Reenactment) § 11-1-1. 7 . In violation of G.L. 1956 (1969 Reenactment) § 11^17-8, as amended by P.”
State v. Gazerro, 420 A.2d 816 (R.I. 1980). “1956 (1969 Reenactment) § 11-1-1. After a trial in the Superior Court, a jury acquitted both defendants of the conspiracy charge but found them both guilty of murder in the second degree.”
State v. Giorgi, 339 A.2d 268 (R.I. 1975). · cites it 3× “1956 (1969 Reenactment) §11-1-1 does not support a prosecution for conspiracy.”
State v. Brown, 486 A.2d 595 (R.I. 1985). “1956 (1981 Reenactment) §§ 11-1-1 and 11-1-6.”
State v. Distante, 375 A.2d 212 (R.I. 1977). “1956 (1969 Reenactment) §11-1-1. The defendant had moved for a judgment of acquittal in accordance with Super.”
State v. MacAskill, 475 A.2d 1024 (R.I. 1984). “daytime with intent to commit robbery in violation of § 11-8-3; one count of possession of burglar’s tools in violation of § 11-8-7; one count of unlawful possession of firearms in violation of § 11-47-8; one count of possession of firearms while committing a crime of violence…”
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