{"id":376130,"date":"2023-11-22T15:58:34","date_gmt":"2023-11-22T20:58:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/rhode-island-law\/rhode-island-district-attorneys.html"},"modified":"2023-11-22T15:58:34","modified_gmt":"2023-11-22T20:58:34","slug":"rhode-island-district-attorneys","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/rhode-island-law\/rhode-island-district-attorneys.html","title":{"rendered":"Rhode Island District Attorneys"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Rhode Island District Attorneys<\/h1>\n
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\n By Eric Harvey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Most U.S. states have multiple judicial districts, each headed by a district attorney (D.A.). D.A.s are also called "state’s attorneys," "county attorneys," or simply "prosecutors." The D.A.s file criminal charges within their respective districts on their state’s behalf. In some states, there are offices for the D.A. in each county. In other states, one D.A. handles multiple counties.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Rhode Island is unique in that the Attorney General’s office prosecutes all crimes<\/a> within the state. This is primarily due to the small geographical area<\/a> of Rhode Island, which has just five counties. Rhode Island is less than half the size of Delaware, which is the second-smallest state in terms of square footage.
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So, if you’re looking for information about your local Rhode Island district attorney, you’ll want to search for the Attorney General instead. This article focuses on how crimes are prosecuted in the state of Rhode Island. It includes links to helpful resources.<\/p>\r\n

Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office<\/h2>\r\n

Because there are no D.A.s in Rhode Island, the state’s Attorney General’s Office<\/a> handles all prosecutorial duties within the state. As in all other states, the Attorney General ("A.G.") is elected. The A.G. holds the highest prosecutorial position in the state. They prosecute all felony cases and misdemeanor appeals. They handle administration of the criminal justice system in Rhode Island. They also assist law enforcement and police departments in criminal law matters across the state.<\/p>\r\n

Other duties include:<\/p>\r\n