Rhode Island General Laws Title 12. Criminal Procedure § 12-19.3-3. Procedures for sentencing

In all cases where the defendant has been found guilty after trial of an offense for which a sentencing standard has been established pursuant to § 12-19.3-2, the trial justice shall impose a sentence within the presumptive sentencing range unless he or she finds that substantial and compelling circumstances exist which justify imposition of an alternative sentence. This finding may be based upon the character and background of the defendant, the nature and circumstances of the offense, and/or the nature and quality of the evidence presented at trial. When justified by those factors, he or she may impose either a more lenient or a more severe sentence than provided for in the rule. If a sentence outside of the presumptive range is imposed, the trial justice shall set forth on the record the circumstances which he or she found as justification for imposition of the alternative sentence.