Trespass penalties in Rhode Island include up to 6 months jail and fines up to $500 for simple trespass. Aggravated trespass (entering after warning, refusing to leave, entering with intent to commit a crime, trespass on schools or government property) carries higher penalties. Most first-offense trespass cases resolve with fines and probation rather than jail. The conviction creates a permanent criminal record visible on background checks. Trespass charges are also commonly added as stacking charges in cases involving other offenses (vandalism, disorderly conduct, ban violations). Defense work often focuses on contesting whether the entry was actually unauthorized.
