What is a “suspended sentence” in RI? | Rhode Island Criminal Defense Attorneys

If you’ve been charged with a crime in Rhode Island and have a criminal history, there exists a real possibility that you’ll be placed on a suspended sentence if you enter a plea. But what is a “suspended sentence” in Rhode Island?

A suspended sentence is when a Rhode Island judge sentences a period of imprisonment but orders that the sentence be postponed while the defendant serves probation.  If probation is successfully completed and the defendant is not arrested during that time period, the defendant will never be incarcerated.  However, if the defendant violates his/her probation, the defendant may be incarcerated to serve any remaining time on the suspended sentence.

As you can see, being placed on a suspended sentence places a defendant in a position where he/she easily risks going to jail.  As such, any individual on a suspended sentence must be sure to keep the peace and be of good behavior to avoid violating their probation and being required to serve their sentence (which will no longer be suspended) in jail.

The risk of going to jail for violating a suspended sentence in Rhode Island is quite significant.  Due to that, you should speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney prior to entering any criminal plea, especially when accepting a suspended sentence.  Allow our attorneys to review your criminal charges and provide you with the representation you need to protect your rights.  Call the attorneys at Robert E. Craven & Associates today for your FREE criminal defense consultation.