Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-1-2 (2026)

Felony, misdemeanor — Petty misdemeanor, and violation distinguished

✓ current as of July 2026

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Unless otherwise provided, any criminal offense which at any given time may be punished by imprisonment for a term of more than one year, or by a fine of more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), is declared to be a felony; any criminal offense which may be punishable by imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both, is declared to be a misdemeanor; any criminal offense which may be punishable by imprisonment for a term not exceeding six (6) months or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or both, is declared to be a petty misdemeanor; and any offense which may be punished by only a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) is declared to be a violation.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 21 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1959–2025 · leading case: State v. Martini, 860 A.2d 689 (R.I. 2004).

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State v. Martini, 860 A.2d 689 (R.I. 2004). · cites it 18× “Relevant to this appeal, defendant argued that, pursuant to G.L.1956 § 11-1-2, disorderly conduct is classified as a petty misdemeanor and, by its terms, § 12-29-5(c) provides for enhanced penalties for anyone "convicted of an offense punishable as a misdemeanor.”

United States v. Juan Castillo-Rivera, 853 F.3d 218 (5th Cir. 2017). “R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-1-2. "(a) No person who has been convicted in this state Manufacture of a Schedule V substance also or elsewhere of a crime of violence .”

Petition of Crepeau-Cross, 385 A.2d 658 (R.I. 1978). · cites it 8× “However, G.L. 1956, §11-1-2 defined a felony as “any criminal offense which at any given time may be punished by imprisonment for a term of more than one year, or by a fine of more than five hundred dollars.”

State v. Aurgemma, 358 A.2d 46 (R.I. 1976). · cites it 2× “1957), 4 also argues that the two payments he received *434 with respect to Count III, neither of which exceeded $500, cannot be lumped together to provide the more than $500 requisite under §§11-1-2 and 11-41-5 for a felony conviction.”

State v. Flores, 996 A.2d 156 (R.I. 2010). · cites it 2× “1; G.L.1956 § 11-1-2. [4] A criminal information subsequently charged defendant with one count of possession of an enumerated quantity of cocaine one ounce to one kilogramin violation of G.”

State v. Vinagro, 433 A.2d 945 (R.I. 1981). · cites it 2× “1956 (1969 Reenactment) § 11-1-2 (1980 Cum.Supp.). This section describes four varieties of criminal offenses and states that, unless otherwise provided, any criminal offense that carries a potential punishment of more than a year’s imprisonment or a fine in excess of $500 is to…”

Liu v. Striuli, 36 F. Supp. 2d 452 (D.R.I. 1999). “Liu alleges that on numerous occasions beginning in the fall of 1994, Striuli forced her to engage in sexual intercourse with him. Specifically, Liu alleges that on October 13, 1994, Striuli telephoned her and insisted on visiting her at home.”

State v. Johnson, 358 A.2d 370 (R.I. 1976). “41 of title 11, where we see that anyone who is convicted of having committed such crimes as stealing, receiving stolen goods, embezzlement, and obtaining property under false pretenses shall be considered as having committed larceny.”

Bailey v. Baronian, 394 A.2d 1338 (R.I. 1978). “” 18 The General Assembly specifically defined what constitutes a felony in Rhode Island when it stated: “Unless otherwise provided, any criminal offense which at any given time may be punished by imprisonment for a term of more than one (1) year, or by a fine of more than five…”

Jones v. State, 23 A.3d 880 (Md. 2011). “525 (2009); R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-1-2 (2002); Tenn. Code Ann.”

Carter v. Cianci, 482 A.2d 1201 (R.I. 1984). · cites it 2× “…$500 or imprisonment in excess of a year is, unless the statute provides to the contrary, to be considered a felony. Section 11-1-2.”

In Re Bernard H., 557 A.2d 864 (R.I. 1989). “1956 (1981 Reenactment) § 11-1-2, as amended by P.L.1985, ch. 462, § 3.”

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