Help for Victims in Criminal Cases

Victim's Rights

Rhode Island law gives victims of crime certain rights, such as the right to obtain certain notifications about their cases and the right to be heard by the court before sentencing in cases where an offender is found guilty after a trial.

Learn more by reading the Rhode Island Victim’s Rights Statute.

Advocates

Advocates are available to provide you information, help you navigate systems, and help you work through procedures.

Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program

Domestic violence court advocates help victims of domestic violence navigate the legal system by educating them about their rights and helping them secure those rights; by informing victims of the availability of protective orders and helping them obtain them as appropriate; and by referring them to vital social services.

These are all critical steps in increasing victim safety and making those in crisis feel less overwhelmed by legal proceedings.

Domestic violence court advocates work in every district court in Rhode Island to assist victims in domestic violence cases.

Call the courthouse in your area for more information and to reach a court advocate:

Garrahy Judicial Complex (Providence)
401-458-3372

Noel Judicial Complex (Kent)
401-822-6680

McGrath Judicial Complex (Wakefield)
401-782-4174

Murray Judicial Complex (Newport)
401-619-2555
401-619-2865

Law Enforcement Advocates (LEAs) are employed by victim service agencies and work within local police departments. They are available to provide support, information, and referrals to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. For more details about LEA services, click here.

Please note: These phone numbers are not emergency numbers. In case of emergency, call 911 or the emergency number of the specific police department.

Barrington, Bristol, and Warren Police Departments
Advocate contact: 401-834-2755
*Bilingual English/Creole

Burrillville, Foster, Glocester, and Scituate Police Departments
Advocate cell: 401-644-4593
Office (located at Burrillville PD): 401-710-9663

Central Falls Police Department
Advocate contact: 401-723-3057

Charlestown, Hopkinton, Richmond, and Westerly Police Departments
Advocate contact: 401-782-4174

Coventry, East Greenwich, and West Greenwich Police Departments
Advocate cell: 401-345-7034
Office (located at Coventry PD): 401-826-8915

Cranston and Johnston Police Departments
Advocate cell: 401-585-5117
Office (located at Cranston PD): 401-477-5040
Office (located at Johnston PD): 401-757-3139
*Bilingual English/Spanish

Cumberland and Woonsocket Police Departments
Advocate cell: 401-441-9021
Office (located at Woonsocket PD): 401-766-3628
*Bilingual English/Spanish

Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth, and Tiverton Police Departments
Advocate contact: 401-222-9112
*Bilingual English/Polish

Lincoln and North Providence Police Departments
Advocate cell: 401-500-8627
Office (located at North Providence PD): 401-231-4533 ext.1145

Pawtucket Police Department
Advocate contact: 401-727-9100, x783

Providence Police Department
Advocate cell: 401-612-4088
Office: 401-243-6334
*Bilingual English/Spanish

Warwick and West Warwick Police Departments
Advocate cell: 401-391-8490
Office (located at Warwick PD): 401-468-4372
Office (located at West Warwick PD): 401-827-9026, ext. 1140

Attorney General’s Victim Services
The Attorney General’s Victim Services Office provides advocacy for victims in felony cases being heard in Superior Court.

Department of Corrections Victim Advocates
The Department of Corrections Office of Victim Services (OVS) is designed to serve all crime victims whose offenders are currently in custody at the Adult Correctional Institutions. OVS can also assist concerned family members of these victims as well as professional service providers and law enforcement.

Information on Offenders

If you would like to stay informed about the status of a criminal case or the current status of an offender, the following electronic resources can help you access that information:

RI Attorney General’s Victim Services
The new online VOICE system on the RI Attorney General’s website allows victims of crime in the State of Rhode Island to obtain information on criminal cases and information about their offenders. You will need to create an account and provide personal information to verify your identity at the link above.

Rhode Island Public Portal
Rhode Island Public Portal is a public site where anyone can search all public criminal court records in Rhode Island. With ongoing cases, the records will generally provide information on the next court date scheduled in the case.

Victim Information & Notification Everyday (VINE)
VINE is a free, anonymous, computer-assisted telephone service that provides offender custody information and notification of changes in offender custody status.

Department of Corrections Inmate Search
Inmate search will allow you to find information on all offenders currently in the custody of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.

Helpline Available 24/7

The confidential statewide Helpline can be reached by calling 1-800-494-8100 or using the online chat here. The Helpline is for all victims of violent crime, including domestic and dating abuse, and those looking for more information to help a victim of violence

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