Rhode Island's Premier Sex Crimes Attorney

Understanding The Rhode Island Sex Crime Process

If you are under investigation or have just been arrested for a sex offense, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure about what will happen next. In Rhode Island, sex crime cases often begin with an investigation by local police or the Rhode Island State Police, followed by a formal charge and an arraignment in District Court or Superior Court. At each stage, what you say and do can affect the strength of the state's case against you, which is why early guidance from a sex crime defense attorney Rhode Island residents can trust is so important. My goal is to help you understand the process so you can avoid missteps and protect your future.

After arraignment, most cases move into a pretrial phase, where I obtain and review the prosecution's evidence, file appropriate motions, and work to challenge unreliable statements, identification procedures, or forensic results. In some situations, especially in cases involving allegations in Providence County or Washington County, we may also address bail conditions, no-contact orders, and restrictions that affect where you can live or work. Throughout this period, I stay in close contact with my clients to answer questions, explain their options, and prepare them for critical events such as motion hearings or grand jury proceedings.

If a case cannot be resolved during pretrial negotiations, it may proceed to trial in the Rhode Island Superior Court, where a judge or jury will decide whether the state has met its burden of proof. Trial preparation in sex offense cases is intensive and can involve working with qualified experts, carefully preparing witnesses, and developing a clear theory of defense that addresses both the legal and human sides of the accusation. I also help clients think through collateral issues that can arise in these cases, such as potential sex offender registration requirements under Rhode Island law and the long-term effects a conviction could have on housing, employment, and immigration status.

How Many Degrees of Sexual Assault Are There in Rhode Island?

There are three degrees of sexual assault in Rhode Island. 

SCHEDULE MY FREE CONSULTATION