R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-12-1.2

Except for offenses punishable by death or by a term of life imprisonment or offenses arising in the land or naval forces or in the militia in actual service in time of war or public danger, an offense which may be punished by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year and/or by a fine exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) may be prosecuted by indictment or information signed by the attorney general or one of the attorney general’s designated assistants.