---
title: "What is the difference between first and second-degree robbery in Rhode Island?"
description: "First-degree robbery in Rhode Island involves either serious bodily injury to the victim or the use or threatened use of a dangerous weapon. It carries up to life imprisonment. Second-degree robbery..."
url: https://www.chadbanklaw.com/faq-items/what-is-the-difference-between-first-and-second-degree-robbery-in-rhode-island/
date: 2026-05-23
modified: 2026-05-23
author: "The Law Office of Chad F Bank"
type: avada_faq
lang: en
---

# What is the difference between first and second-degree robbery in Rhode Island?

First-degree robbery in Rhode Island involves either serious bodily injury to the victim or the use or threatened use of a dangerous weapon. It carries up to life imprisonment. Second-degree robbery is robbery without those aggravating factors and carries up to 30 years prison. Both are felonies tried in Rhode Island Superior Court. The first-degree elements (weapon or serious injury) are often contested by the defense because moving from first-degree to second-degree dramatically reduces the maximum sentence. Even if conviction is unavoidable, getting the charge downgraded from first to second degree is one of the most valuable defense outcomes.