AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- INDICTMENTS, INFORMATIONS AND COMPLAINTS (Prohibits prosecutions for crimes in Rhode Island if the prosecution arises from the same facts or acts for which the defendant was acquitted in another jurisdiction, unless newly discovered evidence substantially warrants prosecution.)

H7432

2026 -- H 7432
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LC004520
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- INDICTMENTS, INFORMATIONS AND
COMPLAINTS

Introduced By:
Representatives Place, and J. Lombardi

Date Introduced:
January 30, 2026

Referred To:
House Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 12-12 of the General Laws entitled "Indictments, Informations and
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Complaints" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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12-12-23. Acquittal in another jurisdiction as bar to prosecution.

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If a violation of any criminal law is a violation of a federal law or the law of another state,
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an acquittal under federal law or the law of another state for the same set of facts or acts shall be a
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bar to prosecution in this state, unless there exists newly discovered evidence which would
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substantially indicate that prosecution in this state is warranted.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC004520
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- INDICTMENTS, INFORMATIONS AND
COMPLAINTS
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This act would prohibit prosecutions for violations of criminal laws in this state if the
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violation arises from the same set of facts or acts for which a defendant has been acquitted in federal
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court or another jurisdiction, unless there exists newly discovered evidence substantially warranting
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prosecution in this state.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC004520
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