The 2026 Second Chance Index
How Rhode Island ranks for second chances
Rhode Island ranks 9th of 51 in the 2026 Second Chance Index, scoring 77.5 out of 100 for clearing a record, voting rights and where its felony line falls. That's 16 points above the median state (61.5).
Built from Rhode Island's record-clearing, voting and felony-class records, last checked October 29, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
77.5 out of 100
- Clearing a record
- 43.5 / 50
- Voting rights
- 22 / 30
- Where the felony line falls
- 12 / 20
Every point Rhode Island earned and missed
Each line is a field we publish about Rhode Island, checked against state law and official guidance. The points are the index's; the method lists every one.
Clearing a record
43.5 of 50 points| What we score | Rhode Island | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Some records clear automatically | Limited automatic clearing | 10/15 |
| A general route to clear a felony | Yes | 12/12 |
| A general route to clear a misdemeanor | Yes | 8/8 |
| A way to clear a case with no conviction | Yes | 8/8 |
| A fee waiver on at least one route | Yes | 4/4 |
| A DUI conviction can be cleared | In some cases | 1.5/3 |
Voting rights
22 of 30 points| What we score | Rhode Island | Points |
|---|---|---|
| When the vote comes back after a felony | After prison | 22/30 |
Where the felony line falls
12 of 20 points| What we score | Rhode Island | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Theft becomes a felony at | Over $1,500 | 7/10 |
| Repeat DUI becomes a felony | From the 3rd offense | 5/10 |
Where the 22.5 missing points are
- 8When the vote comes back after a felony: After prison
- 5Some records clear automatically: Limited automatic clearing
- 5Repeat DUI becomes a felony: From the 3rd offense
- 3Theft becomes a felony at: Over $1,500
- 1.5A DUI conviction can be cleared: In some cases
The index scores what state law says, not how courts apply it. A lower score doesn't mean Rhode Island offers no relief; its pages list every route.
States ranked near Rhode Island
- #7Vermont80.5
- #8D.C.79.5
- #9Rhode Island77.5
- #10California77
- #11Michigan76.5
Cite this page
Second Chance Index, "How Rhode Island ranks for second chances" https://secondchanceindex.com/state-rankings/rhode-island, checked October 29, 2026.