These examples are general information about Rhode Island law, not legal advice. Your record may differ from the example in a way that changes the answer, so have an attorney review it before you file.
Domestic violence cases
I pleaded nolo to domestic assault and got a year of probation. When can I expunge it?
If it is the only thing on your record, five years from the end of your probation, with the batterer's program finished and every fine paid. Domestic violence expungement
My domestic assault charge was filed. When does it come off?
Three years after the filing date, automatically, if you are not charged with another domestic violence crime in that time. Nothing to file. Filings
I have a domestic conviction and a shoplifting conviction. Can either come off?
The shoplifting can, on the multiple-misdemeanor path, ten years from the end of your last sentence. The domestic conviction stays. Multiple misdemeanors
DUI and refusal
I pleaded to a first DUI and paid a fine, no probation. When can I expunge it?
If it is the only thing on your record, five years from the date of your plea, with every fine and assessment paid. DUI expungement
My first DUI included probation. When does the clock start?
Five years from the day the probation ends. DUI expungement
I have two DUIs. Can I expunge them?
No. The paths for more than one conviction exclude DUI by name. Your other convictions may still come off. DUI expungement
I refused a breathalyzer. Do I have to file anything?
No. A refusal decided at the Traffic Tribunal clears by law five years later. Traffic Tribunal
Misdemeanors
I have one misdemeanor from years ago and nothing since. Can I clear it?
Yes, five years from the end of your sentence. First offender expungement
I have three misdemeanors. Is that too many?
No. Two to five misdemeanors can be expunged ten years from the end of your last sentence. Multiple misdemeanors
I was convicted of driving on a suspended license years ago. Can that come off?
A first, second or third offense is now a civil violation, unless the suspension was for DUI, refusal, reckless driving, or another reason the law lists. If one is on your record, it can come off as a decriminalized offense. Decriminalized offenses
Felonies
I have one felony. My suspended sentence and probation ended twelve years ago.
If it is the only thing on your record, you can file: a single felony waits ten years from the end of the sentence. First offender expungement
I have two felonies. I was told they could never be expunged.
That changed in June 2026. Two to four felonies can be expunged fifteen years after your last sentence ends, if none is a crime of violence or on the prohibited list. Multiple felonies
I have one felony and two misdemeanors.
The misdemeanors can come off if the felony is not a crime of violence or on the prohibited list. The felony itself has no path. Multiple misdemeanors
I was convicted of robbery. Can it ever be expunged?
No. Robbery is on the list of crimes of violence, which cannot be expunged. A pardon is the remaining route. Crimes of violence
Dismissed, not guilty, deferred
My case was dismissed in District Court last year.
A District Court Rule 48(a) dismissal since January 1, 2023 was sealed automatically. Nothing to file. Sealing
I was found not guilty at trial.
The case is sealed on motion, with no waiting period, whatever else is on your record. Sealing
I just finished a deferred sentence.
You can move to expunge it now, once the court finds you complied with the agreement, unless the charge was a crime of violence. Deferred sentences
I have an old marijuana possession conviction.
Possession of an amount since decriminalized is expunged automatically, and the rest of your record does not block it. Marijuana expungement
The law behind this page
- First offender, five and ten years: § 12-1.3-2(a), (d), (e). Multiple misdemeanors: § 12-1.3-2(b), (g). Multiple felonies: § 12-1.3-2(c), (h).
- Decriminalized offenses: § 12-1.3-2(i). Deferred sentences: § 12-1.3-2(f), § 12-19-19. Crimes of violence: § 12-1.3-1(1).
- Sealing: § 12-1-12.1. Filings: § 12-10-12. Traffic Tribunal: § 31-41.1-10. Marijuana: § 12-1.3-5. DUI: § 31-27-2. Driving on a suspended license: § 31-11-18, § 31-11-18.1.
