---
title: "When is a DUI a felony in Rhode Island?"
description: "Most first and second DUI offenses are misdemeanors, but a DUI becomes a felony in Rhode Island in two main situations: a third offense within the ten-year lookback (extended from five years on July..."
url: https://bankandmunns.com/faq-items/when-is-a-dui-a-felony-in-rhode-island/
date: 2026-08-06
modified: 2026-08-06
author: "Bank and Munns"
type: avada_faq
lang: en
---

# When is a DUI a felony in Rhode Island?

Most first and second DUI offenses are misdemeanors, but a DUI becomes a felony in Rhode Island in two main situations: a third offense within the ten-year lookback (extended from five years on July 1, 2025), or any DUI that causes serious bodily injury or death. Once a charge crosses into felony territory, the prison exposure and long-term consequences rise sharply.