Rhode Island DWI Attorney

Rhode Island DWI cases are heard at the District Court division covering the arrest location: 6th Division in Providence (Providence County), 2nd Division in Newport (Newport County), 3rd Division in Warwick (Kent County), or 4th Division in Wakefield (Washington County). Felony cases bind over to Superior Court.

Yes. First-offense DWI cases are often reduced to reckless driving when the evidence has defense angles (bad stop, breath test calibration issues, field test problems). The reduction avoids the longer license suspension and ignition interlock requirements that come with a DUI conviction.

First offense (BAC 0.08-0.10): probation typical, license loss 30-180 days, fines $100-$300, DWI program. BAC 0.15+: mandatory ignition interlock, license loss 6-18 months, fines $500-$1,000. Second offense: mandatory 10-day jail, 1-2 year license loss. Third offense: felony, 1-year mandatory prison.

The per se threshold is 0.08 BAC for adult drivers, 0.04 for commercial drivers, and 0.02 for drivers under 21. The threshold is set by RIGL section 31-27-2. Driving over the threshold is a per se DUI - the state does not have to prove actual impairment beyond the BAC reading.

In Rhode Island the statutory term is DUI (driving under the influence) under RIGL section 31-27-2. "DWI" (driving while intoxicated) is used colloquially but the official Rhode Island charge is DUI. They refer to the same offense. Massachusetts uses "OUI" (operating under the influence) for the equivalent charge.