§ 12-18-3 - Plea of nolo contendere followed by probation – Effect. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 12-18-3

   § 12-18-3  Plea of nolo contendere followedby probation – Effect. – (a) Whenever any person shall be arraigned before the district court orsuperior court and shall plead nolo contendere, and the court places the personon probation pursuant to § 12-18-1, then upon the completion of theprobationary period, and absent a violation of the terms of the probation, theplea and probation shall not constitute a conviction for any purpose. Evidenceof a plea of nolo contendere followed by a period of probation, completedwithout violation of the terms of the probation, may not be introduced in anycourt proceeding, except that records may be furnished to a sentencing courtfollowing the conviction of an individual for a crime committed subsequent tothe successful completion of probation on the prior offense.

   (b) This section shall not apply to any person who issentenced to serve a term in the adult correctional institutions or who isgiven a suspended or deferred sentence in addition to probation.

   (c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to personsmaking applications for the purchase of a firearm, or to persons makingapplications for permission to carry a concealable weapon, if the crime forwhich the plea was entered was a crime of violence as defined in § 11-47-2or the plea was entered pursuant to chapter 28 of title 21. In these cases aplea of nolo contendere followed by probation shall be deemed a conviction forthe purposes stated in this subsection.