Exoneree Compensation in Rhode Island
A person whose conviction was reversed or vacated for reasons other than ineffective assistance of counsel, or a person who has received a pardon, is eligible to file for compensation at a rate of $50,000 per year of wrongful incarceration. At the discretion of the court, a person may also be awarded release from child support payments owed to the state, as well as access to any services provided by the state for people released from prison into the community. The presiding justice of the superior court determines a petitioner’s eligibility for compensation. Any person claiming compensation based on a pardon or a vacated or reversed conviction that occurred before June 30, 2021, must file the claim no later than three years after June 30, 2021. People filing claims after June 30,2021 must file no later than three years after the date that they were pardoned or that their conviction was vacated or reversed. Effective: July 2021.