R.I. Gen. Laws
Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-32-1 (2026)

Obstructing officer in execution of duty

✓ current as of July 2026
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Every person who shall obstruct any officer, civil, military, or otherwise, including any state, city, or town police, deputy sheriff, or fire fighter, while in the execution of his or her office or duty, shall be imprisoned not exceeding one year or be fined not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500).

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 21 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1973–2025 · leading case: State v. Donald Greenslit, 135 A.3d 1192 (R.I. 2016).
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State v. Donald Greenslit, 135 A.3d 1192 (R.I. 2016). · cites it 3× “1956 § 23-4-7(f); Count Three, the obstruction of a firefighter while in the execution of his duty,, in violation of G.L.1956 § 11-32-1; and Count Four, the violation of a no-contact order, in violation of §§ 12-29-4 and 12-29-5.”
State v. CIRESI, 45 A.3d 1201 (R.I. 2012). · cites it 2× “1956 § 11 — 1—4 (count 5); and one count of obstructing two police officers while they were in the execution of their office and duty in violation of G.L.1956 § 11-32-1 (count 6). 3 More than one year later, a Providence County Superior Court grand jury indicted Ciresi on five…”
Johnson v. Palange, 406 A.2d 360 (R.I. 1979). · cites it 3× “They were released after signing an agreement to appear in District Court to answer charges that they “did quarrel, fight and behave in a disorderly manner * * * to the annoyance and disturbance of a portion of the peaceable inhabitants of the town” in violation of chapter 21,…”
State v. Berberian, 416 A.2d 127 (R.I. 1980). · cites it 6× “Since Berberian would not refrain from moving the motorcycle, Officer Fortune did arrest Berberian, charging him with a violation of § 11-32-1. Berberian filed a motion to dismiss with the Superior Court.”
Silva v. Garland, 27 F.4th 95 (1st Cir. 2022). · cites it 2× “32 (1996); R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 11-32-1 to -7 (1996); Tenn.”
State v. Taylor, 562 A.2d 445 (R.I. 1989). “1956 (1981 Reenactment) § 11-32-1. The jury acquitted defendant of breaking and entering, in violation of G.”
DeFusco v. Brophy, 311 A.2d 286 (R.I. 1973). · cites it 2× “1956, § 11-32-1 2 provided for a fine or imprisonment for any person “* * * who shall obstruct any officer, civil or military, while in the execution of his office * *.”
State v. Dussault, 403 A.2d 244 (R.I. 1979). “1956 (1969 Reenactment), §11-32-1 (Supp. 1978), the obstructing an officer statute, employes the term “city or town police.”
State v. Bousman, 278 N.W.2d 15 (Iowa 1979). “R.I.Gen.Laws § 11-32-1 (one year or $500).”
State v. Duffy, 441 A.2d 524 (R.I. 1982). · cites it 3× “1956 (1969 Reenactment) § 11-32-1. The incident occurred when a uniformed member of the state police, acting pursuant to instruction from a legislative committee, informed several people not to bring placards or bullhorns into an auditorium where the committee was conducting a…”
State v. Elton G. Edwards, 147 A.3d 982 (R.I. 2016). · cites it 2× “Finally, the evidence in this case adequately supports the trial justice’s finding that defendant obstructed officers in executing their duty (G.L. 1956 § 11-32-1). Lieutenant Fernandes testified that defendant defied the officers’ authority and used every effort to avoid…”
State v. Drew, 308 A.2d 516 (R.I. 1973). · cites it 3× “1956 (1969 Reenactment) §11-32-1, as amended by P. L. *130 1971, ch.”
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