Rhode Island 2022 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S2707

Introduced
3/17/22  

Caption

Indictments, Informations And Complaints

Impact

The impact of S2707 on state laws would be considerable, as it expands the list of offenses that do not have a statute of limitations, potentially leading to a rise in prosecutions for offenses that previously may have been overlooked due to time restrictions. This change is intended to empower victims and support law enforcement in bringing offenders to justice regardless of when the crime occurred. Additionally, it could prompt legislative discussions around related issues, such as resources for law enforcement to handle potentially older cases and the broader implications for the judicial system.

Summary

Bill S2707 aims to modify the existing statute of limitations for various criminal offenses in Rhode Island, specifically by amending Section 12-12-17, which pertains to indictments, informations, and complaints. One of the most significant changes proposed by this bill is the inclusion of second-degree sexual assault as an offense that will have no statute of limitations, aligning it with other serious crimes, which currently include homicide, arson, robbery, and others. This proposal reflects an effort to ensure that victims of such crimes are not time-barred from seeking justice, regardless of how much time has passed since the offense occurred.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding S2707 may arise concerning the balance between ensuring justice for victims and the potential complexities it introduces into the legal process. Critics may argue that eliminating the statute of limitations could burden the courts with cases that are much older, where evidence may have deteriorated or witnesses may no longer be available. There may also be discussions regarding the implications for defendants in these cases, particularly in terms of fair trial rights and the ability to prepare a defense against charges stemming from events that occurred many years prior. Overall, while the bill is positioned as a progressive step for victim rights, it raises important questions about its implementation and the resulting effects on the justice system.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI S0565

Provides for a 10 year statute of limitations for the violation of second degree sexual assault.

RI S2297

Provides for a 10 year statute of limitations for the violation of second degree sexual assault.

RI H8086

Provides that the statute of limitations for second-degree sexual assault shall be 10 years from the date of the offense, or, in the case of a victim who is under the age of 18, ten years from the victim’s eighteenth birthday, whichever is later.

RI H6133

Provides that the statute of limitations for second-degree sexual assault shall be 10 years from the date of the offense, or, in the case of a victim who is under the age of 18, ten years from the victim’s eighteenth birthday, whichever is later.

RI S3105

Provides that the statute of limitations for second-degree sexual assault shall be 10 years from the date of the offense, or, in the case of a victim who is under the age of 18, ten years from the victim’s eighteenth birthday, whichever is later.

RI A07215

Establishes the false reporting survivors act which establishes the crimes of aggravated falsely reporting an incident in the first, second, and third degrees when a person commits the crime of falsely reporting an incident in the first, second, or third degree and such person intended to harass, annoy, threaten, or alarm another person because of a belief or perception regarding a person's race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or ethnicity; authorizes officers to arrest persons believed to have committed falsely reporting an incident without first obtaining a warrant; includes such falsely reporting as a hate crime; authorizes the law enforcement misconduct investigative office to receive and investigate complaints alleging falsely reporting an incident; establishes databases of law enforcement officers and persons convicted of falsely reporting; requires notifying persons of the termination of certain criminal actions or proceedings; relates to the statute of limitations for filing an action relating to falsely reporting.

RI HB4755

Adding Aggravated Vehicular Homicide to the list of qualifying offenses

RI A09127

Includes aggravated threat of mass harm, making a threat of mass harm, aggravated harassment in the second degree, harassment in the first degree, menacing in the third degree, menacing in the second degree, menacing in the first degree, and aggravated harassment in the first degree in being eligible for bail; makes aggravated threat of mass harm and making a threat of mass harm eligible to be considered hate crimes; increases the penalties for aggravated threat of mass harm and making a threat of mass harm.

RI A11086

Establishes the crime of aggravated disorderly conduct; designates such crime as a specified offense for the purposes of hate crimes.

RI S08446

Relates to human trafficking offenses and the classification of certain trafficking offenses; includes new offenses in existing provisions of law relating to registration, procedure, affirmative defenses, bail, loss of certain licenses, recovery by victims for trafficking offenses and definitions (Part A); requires the posting of signs at schools and the inclusion of human trafficking education in the driver's education course; requires the posting of signs relating to human trafficking in tattoo and body piercing studios and certain parks; requires education in human trafficking for persons working in nail specialty, waxing, natural hair styling, esthetics and cosmetology (Part B).

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.