Draft:Impeachment in Rhode Island

In the United States state of Rhode Island, the practice of impeachment has been acknowledged since its colonial era as the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and has been legally enabled during its statehood. Impeachment allows a legislative body to remove an official from office after a trial.

Colonial impeachment effort against William Harris
On May 20, 1657, Roger Williams petitioned the General Court of Rhode Island (the bicameral legislature) to impeach William Harris for heresy and treason. Per the research of Peter Charles Hoffer and N. E. H. Hull, this was the first instance in Thirteen Colonies in which the term "impeachment" had been used to describe, "lower house charge leading to a trial." Previously, an action that has retrospectively been considered an impeachment occurred in the Colony of Virginia in 1635 to remove John Harvey as its governor. The term "impeachment" was not used contemporarily to describe the action taken against Harvey, however.

The attorney general investigated Harris. His findings were that Harris had written pamphlets that were critical of the colonial government. The case against Harris was heard by the assembly (the General Court’s lower house). The assembly decided that, while Harris had been "contemptuous and seditious", rather than bring any charges itself, it would refer the matter to England, writing,

"Insamuch as we being soe remote from England, [we] cannot be soe acquainted in laws thereof in that behalf provided [on treason] –through we cannot but conclude [Harris's] behavior therein to be both contemptuous and seditious."

Harris' original writings, the issues raised against him, and Harris's defense were all referred to the government of England.

State impeachment law
Rhode Island’s constitution