---
title: "How long does a Providence criminal case take?"
description: "A typical misdemeanor case in Providence District Court resolves in 3 to 6 months from arraignment, depending on continuances and pre-trial motions. Felony cases that get bound over to Providence..."
url: https://duiattorneyrhodeisland.com/faq-items/how-long-does-a-providence-criminal-case-take/
date: 2026-05-23
modified: 2026-05-23
author: "Criminal Defense Attorney Rory Munns"
type: faq
lang: en
---

# How long does a Providence criminal case take?

A typical misdemeanor case in Providence District Court resolves in 3 to 6 months from arraignment, depending on continuances and pre-trial motions. Felony cases that get bound over to Providence County Superior Court take 6 to 18 months or longer, especially when pre-trial motions, expert reports, or trial preparation are involved. Federal cases at the Pastore Federal Building can take a year or more from indictment to resolution. Cases that resolve by plea agreement at the pre-trial conference are typically much faster than cases that go to trial.