Yes. Assault with a dangerous weapon is always charged as a felony in Rhode Island under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-5-2 because the use of a weapon elevates the assault to felony status regardless of the actual injury caused. Even an assault that produces no physical injury can be charged as assault with a dangerous weapon if the prosecution can show that a dangerous weapon was used or displayed in a threatening manner. The felony charge moves the case to Superior Court for jury trial and triggers all the procedural rigor and lifetime consequences of felony prosecution.
