---
title: "When is a Rhode Island DUI charged as a felony?"
description: "A Rhode Island DUI is charged as a felony when it is your third DUI within 10 years, when it causes serious bodily injury, or when it causes death. Under RIGL section 31-27-2(d)(3), a third offense..."
url: https://riduiguy.com/faq-items/when-is-a-rhode-island-dui-charged-as-a-felony/
date: 2026-05-23
modified: 2026-05-23
author: "The RI DUI Guy"
type: faq
lang: en
---

# When is a Rhode Island DUI charged as a felony?

A Rhode Island DUI is charged as a felony when it is your third DUI within 10 years, when it causes serious bodily injury, or when it causes death. Under RIGL section 31-27-2(d)(3), a third offense within 10 years carries a mandatory 1-year state prison minimum.

When is a Rhode Island DUI charged as a felony?(https://riduiguy.com/author/riduiguy/)2026-05-23T02:26:16-04:00