Self-Defense in Rhode Island Criminal Cases
You Had the Right to Protect Yourself. We'll Help You Prove It.
When someone is under attack, the law doesn't require them to wait to become a victim. In Rhode Island, self-defense is a complete legal defense to charges like assault, battery, and even homicide.
At Manosh Payette Criminal Defense Attorneys, we represent people who fought back to protect themselves, their families, or their friends—and now face serious criminal charges. If that's you, we're ready to fight for you.
What Counts as Self-Defense in Rhode Island?
Under Rhode Island law, you have the right to use reasonable force to defend yourself or someone else from imminent harm. That includes:
-
Physical attacks
-
Threats with weapons
-
Forced entry into your home
-
Domestic violence situations
-
Bar fights, street confrontations, or public altercations
The key question is:
Was the force you used reasonable under the circumstances?
If so, you are not guilty.
What Do We Need to Prove?
To win a self-defense case, we focus on three major elements:
1. You believed you were in danger
You don't have to be right—you just have to be reasonable. We show the jury why anyone in your situation would've felt threatened.
2. You didn't use excessive force
Self-defense doesn't mean unlimited force. But it does mean effective force. We explain how your actions matched the threat.
3. You didn't start the fight (or tried to stop it)
You don't lose your right to self-defense just because things got heated. But we'll be ready to show you weren't the aggressor—and if you were, you backed off before force was used.
Self-Defense Is a Powerful Strategy Against Serious Charges
We've used self-defense to win cases involving:
-
Domestic assault
-
Bar fights and public altercations
-
Gun and knife charges
-
Home invasions and burglary defense
-
Aggravated assault
-
Stabbings and shootings
In some cases, self-defense can even lead to a full dismissal before trial. In others, it can be the key to a Not Guilty verdict.
Why Prosecutors Still Charge People Who Act in Self-Defense
Unfortunately, self-defense isn't always obvious on paper. Police often make arrests based on:
-
Who had the worst injuries
-
Who called 911 first
-
Who spoke up louder at the scene
-
Out-of-context witness statements
-
Rushed conclusions with no follow-up investigation
That's where we come in. We track down witnesses. We obtain surveillance footage. We pull call logs and text messages. We give the jury the full picture—not just the part the State wants them to see.
We Believe in Your Right to Fight Back—and We Know How to Prove It.
At Manosh Payette Criminal Defense Attorneys, we treat self-defense cases like what they are: instinctual reactions. You didn't ask for this situation. You didn't want a legal battle. But you're in one now—and we will help you win it.
We've handled some of the toughest cases in Rhode Island courts. When your freedom is on the line, we don't flinch.
📞 Schedule a Free Consultation
If you've been charged with assault or any violent crime but acted in self-defense, call us now. Don't wait.
📍 Offices in Providence | Serving all Rhode Island counties
📞 401-854-7794 | ✉️ Contact Us
We believe you. And we'll help the jury believe you too.
