How to Access Rhode Island Criminal Records

Like the criminal records maintained in all the other states, Rhode Island criminal records include data on criminal cases held in Superior and District Court. These records are not accessible by everyone. The "General Laws of Rhode Island, Title 38, Chapter 2, and Section 2”, which can be accessed from www.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE38/38-2/38-2-2.HTM, states who can access this information. Along with it, http://www.dcyf.ri.gov/docs/amended_rules/900.0040_criminal_records_checks.pdf states whose background needs to be checked in accordance with the federal and state law and department policies.

Access to Criminal Records

Rhode Island criminal records that are made public continue to be available for open viewing while any further court transactions may be needed to use these records or get more details. The RI Criminal records list all information in relation to felony and misdemeanor cases, as well as sex offense cases.

If you want to carry out a check of the criminal history record of a person, you can follow a few simple steps:

1.    You must submit the application with the CHR or the Criminal History Record supplied by you.
2.    A CHR can be obtained from the Bureau of Criminal Identification located at the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General. The attorney general may be contacted at:
      150 S Main St
       Providence, RI 02903-2903
        p (401) 274-4400
        f (401) 222-1331
3. To apply for a CHR by mail you should attach a notarized photo identity containing a date of birth along with a letter allowing the Attorney General to conduct a background investigation. The cost of applying by mail is $5.

Department of Corrections Records

The Department of Corrections of Rhode Islands maintains a database of all the recently incarcerated offenders and an inmate search allows you to extract information related to any of them. The address to request them from is:

Records
PO Box 8249
Cranston, RI 02920-2920
p (401) 462-3900
f (401) 462-2253
Processing usually takes about 24 hours.

Other Sources of Criminal Records

The Parole Board & Sex Offender Community Notification Unit is an organization responsible for maintaining public safety. A sex offender is classified as either a level 1 or a low-risk offender, a level 2 or a medium-risk offender or as a level 3 or high-risk offender. Information about those offenders classified as either level 2 or level 3 are available over the Internet. The Parole Board & Sex Offender Community Notification Unit office is located at:
Varley Building, 40 Howard Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920
The number to call is 401-462-0900. In the case of any queries, you can e-mail your questions to parolebd@doc.ri.gov .

The Rhode Island Judiciary plays a huge role in maintaining the criminal records in the state of Rhode Island. In order to make the access of records via Internet more user-friendly, the judiciary maintained database has developed this database. They can be accessed by visiting the link http://courtconnect.courts.ri.gov/pls/ri_adult/ck_public_qry_main.cp_main_disclaimer?search_option=party .

Accessing the Rhode Island criminal record for a sex offender will not only help you to confirm your suspicions but may also protect you from any repeat crimes. Rhode Island criminal records also prove to be beneficial to people looking for tenants or household help. The criminal records search provides a compact and crisp result to enhance the safety and security of the people of the state.