R.I. Gen. Laws
Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-19-5 (2026)

Imprisonment to commence at expiration of previous term of imprisonment

✓ current as of July 2026
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Whenever any person shall be convicted of any offense punishable by imprisonment, that person being at the time under sentence of imprisonment on a former conviction, the court passing the subsequent sentence may sentence the person to the term of imprisonment provided by law to commence at the expiration of the term of imprisonment under the former sentence or sentences.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 10 cases, 1966–2020 · leading case: State v. Fuentes, 433 A.2d 184 (R.I. 1981).
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State v. Fuentes, 433 A.2d 184 (R.I. 1981). · cites it 6× “1956 (1969 Reenactment) § 12-19-5 to impose consecutive life sentences for the murders of Helen and Jane.”
State v. Upham, 415 A.2d 1029 (R.I. 1980). · cites it 10× “1956 (1969 Reenactment) § 12-19-5, which reads: “Whenever any person shall be convicted of any offense punishable by imprisonment, such person being at the time under sentence of imprisonment on a former conviction, the court passing such subsequent sentence may sentence such…”
State v. Ballard, 699 A.2d 14 (R.I. 1997). · cites it 3× “Although authorized by G.L. 1956 § 12-19-5 (codifying the “well recognized” right to impose consecutive sentences, State v.”
State v. DeCiantis, 813 A.2d 986 (R.I. 2003). “General Laws 1956 § 12-19-5 provides that: “Whenever any person is convicted of any offense punishable by imprisonment, when that person is under sentence of imprisonment on a previous conviction, the court passing the subsequent sentence may sentence the person to the term of…”
State v. Upham, 439 A.2d 912 (R.I. 1982). “1956 (1969 Reenactment) § 12-19-5. State v. Upham, R.I., 415 A.2d 1029 (1980).”
In Re Advisory Opinion to the Governor, 421 A.2d 535 (R.I. 1980). “1956 (1969 Reenactment) § 12-19-5. In Upham , the court also pointed out that the consecutive — sentence statute preceded the establishment of the parole board by more than half a century.”
State v. Simpson, 573 A.2d 275 (R.I. 1990). “1956 (1981 Reenactment) § 12-19-5. We conclude that the trial justice did exercise his discretion independent of § 11-25-2 and that he did not abuse his discretion in so doing.”
Roger Graham v. State of Rhode Island (R.I. 2020). · cites it 2× “” The applicant also contends that G.L. 1956 § 12-19-5, authorizing consecutive sentences, creates a “legal impossibility” because the consecutive life sentence under § 11-47-3.”
Mancini v. Langlois, 224 A.2d 47 (R.I. 1966). “The petitioner apparently does not question that a court in this state may under §12-19-5 impose a sentence to commence upon the expiration of a term of imprisonment then being served.”
State v. DeLuca, 692 A.2d 689 (R.I. 1997). · cites it 2× “As a result the trial justice found that defendant had violated the terms and the conditions of his Superior Court probation. He then ordered defendant to serve five years of his suspended state sentence consecutively to the federal sentence.”
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