Help for Victims in Criminal Cases
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Legal Protections and Resources
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 are employed by victim service agencies and work within local police departments. They are available to provide information and referrals to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. For more details about LEA services, click here.
Contact information for advocates are listed below.
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, Little Compton, Tiverton and Warren police departments
Advocate contact: 401-236-8363
Burrillville, Foster, Glocester and Scituate police departments
Advocate cell contact: 401-644-4593
Advocate desk contact (located at Burrillville P.D.): 401-710-9663
Central Falls, Cumberland, Lincoln and Pawtucket police departments
Advocate* cell contact: 401-612-4088
Advocate* desk contact (located at Pawtucket P.D.): 401-727-9100, x783
*Spanish speaking
Charlestown, Hopkinton, Richmond and Westerly police departments
Advocate contact: 401-782-4174
Coventry, Cranston, East Greenwich and West Greenwich police departments
Advocate contact: 401-345-7034
Johnston and North Providence police departments
Advocate* cell contact: 401-500-8627
Advocate* desk contact (located at Johnston P.D.): 401-757-3139
Advocate* desk contact (located at North Providence P.D.): 401-231-4533 x1145
*Spanish speaking
Providence Police Department
Advocate 1 contact: 401-243-6338
Advocate 2* contact: 401-480-0841
Advocate 2* desk contact: 401-243-6334
*Conversational in Spanish
Warwick and Woonsocket police departments
Advocate contact: 401-767-6345
West Warwick Police Department
Advocate contact: 401-821-4323 x1140
Temporary phone number: 401-767-6345
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:
Victim Assistance Portal
The Victim’s Assistance Portal is a secure site where victims of crime in the State of Rhode Island may 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.
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