A Rhode Island DUI becomes a felony when it is a third or subsequent offense within 5 years, when it involves serious bodily injury to another person, or when it results in death (DUI resulting in death, also called DUI manslaughter). Felony DUI charges carry multi-year prison sentences, much higher fines, and significantly longer license revocation periods. Felony DUI cases move from District Court to Rhode Island Superior Court where they are tried before juries. The state takes felony DUI cases seriously, and even first-time felony DUI defendants typically face mandatory minimum sentences if convicted.
