The bill amends Section 11-1-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-1 entitled "General Provisions" to redefine the classifications of criminal offenses. The amendment distinguishes between felonies, misdemeanors, petty misdemeanors, and violations based on the potential imprisonment term and fines. A felony is defined as any offense that may be punished by imprisonment for more than one year. A misdemeanor is now defined as an offense punishable by imprisonment for more than six months but not exceeding 364 days, or by a fine of more than one thousand dollars, or both. A petty misdemeanor is an offense punishable by imprisonment for not more than six months, or by a fine of more than five hundred dollars but not more than one thousand dollars. Lastly, a violation is an offense punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars.

The bill also includes a new provision (b) which clarifies that whenever the phrase "one year" appears in reference to the maximum sentence of imprisonment in any provision of the general or public laws, it shall be interpreted as 364 days. The act would take effect upon passage, thereby updating the legal definitions and penalties associated with various levels of criminal offenses.

Statutes affected:
2100: 11-1-2