Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-1-4 (2026)

Division of criminal identification — Chief and assistants

✓ current as of July 2026
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There shall be a division of criminal identification in the department of the attorney general to be in charge of a chief who shall be appointed by the attorney general to serve at the pleasure of the attorney general, and who shall devote all of his or her time to the duties of his or her office. The chief with the approval of the attorney general may appoint any assistants that he or she may deem necessary to carry out the work of the division, within the limits of any appropriation made for that purpose, and may with the approval of the attorney general discontinue the employment of any assistants at any time. The chief shall perform the functions required by the provisions of this chapter. In addition to availability of records to law enforcement agencies and officers, the records shall be made available to any attorney of record in any criminal action, and any officials of businesses which are required by federal or state law or regulation to effectuate a criminal background check of potential or prospective employees. The information shall be confidential and shall be used only by the employer for the employee’s application of employment.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 2001–2025 · leading case: State v. Lead Indus., Ass'n, Inc., 951 A.2d 428 (R.I. 2008).
State v. Lead Indus., Ass'n, Inc., 951 A.2d 428 (R.I. 2008). · cites it 2× “1956 chapter 9 of title 42 (establishing the department of the attorney general and setting forth its powers and duties); G.L. 1956 § 12-1-4 (creating a division of criminal identification in the department of the attorney general); § 12-1-7 (providing that the attorney general…”
State v. Linda A. Diamante, 83 A.3d 546 (R.I. 2014). · cites it 2× “1, place under seal all records of the person in the case including all records of the division of criminal identification established by § 12-1-4; provided that the person shall not have been previously convicted of any felony offense.”
Cronan Ex Rel. State v. Cronan, 774 A.2d 866 (R.I. 2001). “"); § 42-9-2(a) ("The attorney general, the assistant attorneys general, and those special assistant attorneys general who have been designated by the attorney general, shall exercise the powers and duties prescribed in and shall enforce the provisions of this chapter and of §§…”
State v. Faria, 947 A.2d 863 (R.I. 2008). “1, place under seal all records of the person in the case including all records of the division of criminal identification established by § 12-1-4; provided, that the person shall not have been previously convicted of any felony offense.”
State v. James Briggs. State v. Anna M. Matthias (Mathias), 58 A.3d 164 (R.I. 2013). “1, place under seal all records of the person in the case including all records of the division of criminal identification established by § 12-1-4; provided, that the person shall not have been previously convicted of any felony offense.”
State ex rel. Coventry Police Dep't v. Zachary Charlwood (R.I. 2020). “1, place under seal all records of the person in the case including all records of the division of criminal identification established by § 12-1-4. “* * * “(b) Requirements of this section shall also apply to persons detained by police, but not arrested or charged with an…”
Peter Montaquila v. Peter F. Neronha, in his Off. capacity as Attorney Gen. of Rhode Island (R.I. 2023). “1, place under seal all records of the person in the case including all records of the division of criminal identification established by § 12-1-4.” Section 12-1- 12(a)(1). When this Court construes a statute, we “interpret the statute literally and must give the words of the…”
Laureano (D.R.I. 2025). “1, place under seal all records of the person in the case including all records of the division of criminal identification established by § 12-1-4. 3 Section 12-1-12.1 provides, in relevant part: Any person who is acquitted or otherwise exonerated of all counts in a criminal…”
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