(a)  The attorney general shall annually, on or before March 31, make a report in writing to the general assembly showing the transactions of the attorney general’s office in relation to the enforcement of law with respect to crimes involving a gun during the prior year ending on December 31.

lawyer at desk

Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 42-9-12.1

  • Docket: A log containing brief entries of court proceedings.
  • in writing: include printing, engraving, lithographing, and photo-lithographing, and all other representations of words in letters of the usual form. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-16
  • Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.

(b)  The report shall contain the total number of cases with respect to charges involving a firearm in all courts in the state of Rhode Island filed during the calendar year. The report shall also contain all cases with respect to charges involving a firearm that have been disposed of during the calendar year:

(1)  By trial;

(2)  [Deleted by P.L. 2021, ch. 261, § 1 and P.L. 2021, ch. 268, § 1.]

(3)  Without jury trial on plea of guilty or nolo contendere; and

(4)  By a nol pros; and the number of non-warranted and warranted indictments and informations pending at the end of the year.

(c)  The report shall also show the disposition of each case, with the sentences and fines specified in each instance.

(d)  The report shall be subdivided by and specifically include each court docket number and the charge or charges associated with it.

(e)  For each report beginning with the report due March 31, 2023, the reports shall show whether the firearm or firearms at issue in each case was a rifle, semi-automatic rifle, shotgun, revolver, semi-automatic handgun, or miscellaneous firearm.

(f)  The report shall be compiled using statistics provided by the Rhode Island statewide judicial information system and may be supplemented by data maintained by the attorney general’s office.

History of Section.
P.L. 2018, ch. 319, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 347, § 1; P.L. 2021, ch. 261, § 1, effective July 14, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 268, § 1, effective July 14, 2021.