---
title: "What is the penalty for eluding police in Rhode Island?"
description: "Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-4.1, eluding a police officer in a high-speed pursuit applies when you try to flee a police vehicle with emergency lights and either drive more than 15 mph over the..."
url: https://www.chadbanklaw.com/faq-items/what-is-the-penalty-for-eluding-police-in-rhode-island/
date: 2026-10-20
modified: 2026-10-20
author: "The Law Office of Chad F Bank"
type: avada_faq
lang: en
---

# What is the penalty for eluding police in Rhode Island?

Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-4.1, eluding a police officer in a high-speed pursuit applies when you try to flee a police vehicle with emergency lights and either drive more than 15 mph over the speed limit or cause more than $1,000 in property damage. A first conviction carries up to 1 year at the ACI, a fine of $500 to $1,000, a 90-day to 6-month license suspension, and forfeiture of the vehicle. A second or later conviction carries 2 to 5 years, a $2,000 to $5,000 fine, a 1 to 5 year suspension, and forfeiture. Defenses often focus on whether there was really a pursuit, whether you knew police were signaling you to stop, and how the speed was measured. Eluding is frequently charged alongside reckless driving, so the two should be defended together.