R.I. Gen. Laws
Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-2 (2026)

Civil liability for crimes and offenses

✓ current as of July 2026
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Whenever any person shall suffer any injury to his or her person, reputation, or estate by reason of the commission of any crime or offense, he or she may recover his or her damages for the injury in a civil action against the offender, and it shall not be any defense to such action that no criminal complaint for the crime or offense has been made; and whenever any person shall be guilty of larceny, he or she shall be liable to the owner of the money or articles taken for twice the value thereof, unless the money or articles are restored, and for the value thereof in case of restoration.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 45 cases (8 in the last 5 years), 1961–2025 · leading case: Cady v. IMC Mortg. Co., 862 A.2d 202 (R.I. 2004).
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Cady v. IMC Mortg. Co., 862 A.2d 202 (R.I. 2004). · cites it 21× “1-13 (count 5); invasion of privacy (count 6); violation of a state criminal statute pursuant to G.L. 1956 § 9-1-2 (count 7); defamation (count 8); intentional infliction of emotional distress (count 9); and negligent infliction of emotional distress (count 10).”
Zarrella v. Minnesota Mut. Life Ins. Co., 824 A.2d 1249 (R.I. 2003). · cites it 8× “After Minnesota Mutual answered the second-amended complaint, plaintiff filed a third-amended complaint to add claims for bad faith by refusing to settle, violations of the Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and civil liability under G.L. 1956 § 9-1-2. In…”
Iacampo v. Hasbro, Inc., 929 F. Supp. 562 (D.R.I. 1996). · cites it 13× “§§ 12101 to 12213 (“ADA”); and analogous state statutes; (ii) Iacampo has alleged the elements of simple assault and/or battery and second degree sexual assault on the part of Booth with sufficient particularity to make out a prima facie claim of liability under R.I. Gen.Laws §…”
Melissa E. Goddard v. APG Sec.-RI, LLC, alias John Doe Corp., 134 A.3d 173 (R.I. 2016). · cites it 9× “The plaintiff sought damages pursuant to both the EDTS and § 9-1-2. 4 The defendants responded to plaintiffs complaint with a motion to dismiss pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6) of the Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure, in which they asserted that the complaint was not timely…”
Ludwig v. Kowal, 419 A.2d 297 (R.I. 1980). · cites it 6× “1956 (1969 Reenactment) § 9-1-2, “Civil liability for crimes and offenses.”
Tyre v. Swain, 946 A.2d 1189 (R.I. 2008). · cites it 8× “1-1(3); (2) caused Shelley’s wrongful death; and (3) should be subject to civil liability for a criminal act, pursuant to G.L. 1956 § 9-1-2. Over the next four years, various hearings on pretrial motions and scheduling conferences took place before the trial justice to address…”
Willis v. Omar, 954 A.2d 126 (R.I. 2008). · cites it 5× “On October 27, 2003, plaintiff filed suit against defendants alleging negligence and civil liability for crimes and offenses, under G.L.1956 § 9-1-2. 6 A Superior Court trial *129 justice granted summary judgment for defendants, holding that Rhode Island has not embraced…”
Kelly v. Marcantonio, 678 A.2d 873 (R.I. 1996). · cites it 6× “The plaintiffs in the various cases from which this certified question emanates had available to them, pursuant to § 9-1-2, causes of action for the damages they claim against the alleged perpetrators. Those causes of action would have been subject to the general three-year…”
Lyons v. Town of Scituate, 554 A.2d 1034 (R.I. 1989). · cites it 8× “1956 (1985 Reenactment) § 9-1-2, alleging that Calenda assaulted and battered plaintiffs, causing “physical injury, together with great pain and suffering of mind and body, lost earning capacity, lessened esteem in the community and a diminished quality of life.”
Mello v. DaLomba, 798 A.2d 405 (R.I. 2002). · cites it 7× “Counts 3, 5 and 7 allege that a variety of substantive crimes were committed by defendants, and that plaintiff is entitled to *411 recover in a civil action pursuant to § 9-1-2.”
Bouchard v. Price, 694 A.2d 670 (R.I. 1997). · cites it 4× “[3] Under G.L.1956 § 9-1-2 of the General Laws, a crime victim may recover damages from the offender in a civil action regardless of whether a criminal complaint has been filed.”
Gray v. Derderian, 400 F. Supp. 2d 415 (D.R.I. 2005). · cites it 9× “— Whenever any person shall suffer any injury to his or her person, reputation, or estate by reason of the commission of any crime or offense, he or she may recover his or her damages for the injury in civil action against the offender, and it shall not be any defense to such…”
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