RI BAR Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield RI BAR facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. How are amendments to the Rhode Island Constitution proposed and ratified? → Through legislative proposal or citizen initiative, followed by popular vote
2. Which of the following best describes the 'inevitable discovery' exception to the exclusionary rule? → Evidence is admissible if an independent investigation would have found it lawfully
3. Which of the following is an accurate statement about an LLC's operating agreement? → It can override most default statutory provisions governing the LLC's internal affairs
4. Under the Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (RULPA), which partner bears management responsibility and unlimited liability? → General partners
5. Which of the following best describes a "motion to dismiss" in civil procedure? → A request to terminate a lawsuit because of procedural deficiencies
6. When a contract is ambiguous, courts interpret it against the drafter under which doctrine? → Contra proferentem
7. Which doctrine allows courts to admit evidence obtained by officers acting in good-faith reliance on a search warrant that is later found to be defective? → Good-faith exception
8. A landowner dedicates a strip of land as a public road. Years later, the municipality abandons the road. Who owns the strip? → Title reverts to the abutting landowners under the centerline presumption
9. A tenant holds a month-to-month tenancy. The landlord wishes to terminate the tenancy. Under Rhode Island law, what notice is required? → 30 days written notice
10. Under the Rhode Island recording act, which type of statute governs priority disputes between successive grantees of the same parcel? → Race-notice statute
11. What is the statute of limitations for most felonies in Rhode Island? → 3 to 7 years depending on the severity
12. A seller enters a contract to sell Blackacre to a buyer. Before closing, a fire destroys the house. Under the majority rule, who bears the risk of loss? → The buyer, under the doctrine of equitable conversion
13. Under the Fourth Amendment, the automobile exception allows police to search a vehicle without a warrant when: → There is probable cause to believe the car contains contraband or evidence
14. Under Rhode Island rules, what is the burden of proof in civil cases? → Preponderance of the evidence
15. A deed conveys property 'to A, but if A ever sells alcohol on the premises, then to B.' What type of future interest does B hold? → Executory interest (shifting)
16. O conveys 'to A for life, remainder to B if B passes the bar exam.' B dies before A, having never passed the bar. What happens to the remainder? → The contingent remainder is destroyed and O has a reversion
17. When is anticipatory repudiation retracted under contract law? → Before the other party materially changes position in reliance on it
18. A shareholder's inspection right under most state corporation statutes requires the shareholder to: → Have a proper purpose related to their interest as a shareholder
19. What is the separation of powers doctrine in Rhode Island? → Government authority is divided among three branches with checks and balances
20. Under the parol evidence rule, which of the following evidence IS admissible? → Extrinsic evidence showing fraud in the inducement
21. Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures? → Fourth Amendment
22. Which of the following is NOT a recognized common law defense to a criminal charge? → Diminished capacity as a complete defense
23. A promisee who assigns their contractual rights to a third party (assignee) transfers: → Only the right to receive performance from the obligor
24. What is strict liability in Rhode Island tort law? → Liability without fault for abnormally dangerous activities or defective products
25. What is the Free Exercise Clause protection under the Rhode Island Constitution? → The right to practice religion free from government interference
26. What is the Rhode Island definition of burglary? → Unlawful entry into a structure with intent to commit a crime therein
27. Under the mailbox rule, acceptance of a contract offer is effective when: → The acceptance is properly dispatched
28. O grants to 'A for life, then to A's children.' A has no children at the time of the grant. Under modern law, A's children hold: → A contingent remainder because A has no children yet
29. To establish a prescriptive easement under Rhode Island law, a claimant must show use that is: → Open, notorious, continuous, and hostile for 10 years (exclusive not required)
30. Which of the following constitutes a valid consideration in a contract? → A promise to refrain from illegal conduct