CHARGE: Violation of a No Contact Order (Domestic) | R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-29-4; § 12-29-2
Providence Police charged our client with violating a no contact order involving the mother of his child. In Rhode Island, that is a criminal charge on its own, and the law counts it as domestic violence.
A conviction would have put a domestic violence offense on his record, with consequences that could follow him long after the case closed. He was very scared when he first reached out.
Attorney Phillip Wullschleger asked for and received the State’s evidence, called discovery: police reports, court papers, and more. In it, he found a mistake in the no contact order itself. He set the case for trial and prepared to argue that the order was invalid.
On October 15, 2026, the day of trial, the prosecutor dismissed the case. Our client has no conviction, and the court record will be sealed automatically.
What Happens If You Violate a No Contact Order in Rhode Island?
Violating a no contact order in Rhode Island is a separate criminal charge from the original case. Under § 12-29-4(a)(3), a willful violation is a misdemeanor, and § 12-29-2 classifies it as domestic violence. Under § 12-29-5(c), a second domestic violence conviction means at least 10 days in jail, and the judge cannot suspend it. A third is a felony. Read more about no contact order violation charges in RI.
What Is Required for a No Contact Order in Rhode Island?
A Rhode Island no contact order in a domestic case is issued by a judge or bail commissioner when the accused person is released. Under § 12-29-4(a)(3), the order must be in writing, state the court’s directive, and carry a warning that violating it is a criminal offense that will lead to arrest. A copy goes to the protected person, and the clerk sends one to the police. In a violation case, the defense reviews the order itself, not just the alleged contact.
Is a Dismissed Case Sealed in Rhode Island?
Yes. When the prosecution dismisses a District Court case under Rule 48(a), § 12-1-12.1(a) requires the court to seal the records automatically, without a motion, 10 to 20 days after the dismissal. Expungement is a separate process for convictions. Learn the difference between sealing and expungement.
Charged With Violating a No Contact Order in Rhode Island?
The details of the order can matter as much as the alleged contact. A Rhode Island domestic violence lawyer can review the evidence, including the order itself. Call Attorney Wullschleger at our Providence office at (401) 269-3381 or contact us online for a free consultation.
CASE RESULT: Violation of no contact order charge dismissed by the prosecution on the day of trial, October 15, 2026. No conviction.
Practice area(s): Domestic Violence Defense, Criminal Defense
Court: 6th Division District Court (Providence)
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is evaluated on its own facts and circumstances. This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Phillip Wullschleger
Attorney Phillip Wullschleger is a Rhode Island criminal defense and traffic court attorney with Marin & Murphy Law Firm. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Massachusetts School of Law and his B.A. in Philosophy from the University of California, Berkeley, and served as a Summer Clinic Intern in the Veterans Justice Clinic at the WilmerHale Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School. Prior to joining Marin & Murphy, Attorney Wullschleger trained as a Rule 9 Student Attorney with the Rhode Island Public Defenders and later handled expungement and record-sealing matters for that office, clearing or sealing more than 100 cases. He was admitted to the Rhode Island Bar in 2026 and represents clients in the Rhode Island District Courts, Superior Court, and Traffic Tribunal across a range of criminal defense, DUI, and domestic violence matters.
