A felony in Rhode Island is any crime punishable by more than one year of imprisonment. Felonies include serious drug offenses (possession with intent to deliver, trafficking, manufacturing), violent crimes (felony assault, robbery, rape, murder), major property crimes (large-value theft, arson, burglary), and certain repeat offenses (third-offense DUI, felony domestic assault). Felony cases begin in District Court for arraignment and bail, then move to Rhode Island Superior Court for the substantive proceedings including jury trials. Felony convictions carry years in prison, large fines, and lifetime collateral consequences including firearm prohibition and voting restrictions during incarceration.
