A typical misdemeanor drug case in Rhode Island District Court resolves in 3 to 6 months from arraignment, depending on continuances and pre-trial motions. Felony drug cases in Superior Court take longer, often 6 to 18 months or more, especially if the case involves pre-trial motions to suppress evidence, expert witnesses, or trial scheduling. Trafficking cases and federal cases can take a year or more from indictment to resolution. Cases that go to trial typically run longer than cases that resolve via plea agreement at a pre-trial conference.
