State v. Price

OPINION

LEDERBERG, Justice.

The issue before us is whether criminal contempt can be punished by incarceration for a period longer than one year. The State of Rhode Island (state) has appealed to the Supreme Court the finding by a Family Court justice that G.L.1956 § 11 — 1—1—the statute that sets forth the punishment for common-law offenses not covered by statute — applies to criminal contempt and consequently establishes a maximum penalty for that offense. For the reasons related below, we sustain the state’s appeal and reverse the judgment of the Family Court. A summary of the pertinent facts…