R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-3-16 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-3 / Section 8-3-16
§ 8-3-16. Retirement contribution.
Status: in_force

(a) Judges engaged after December 31, 1989, shall have deducted from total salary beginning December 31, 1989, and ending June 30, 2012, an amount equal to a rate percent of compensation as specified in § 36-10-1 relating to member contributions to the state retirement system. Effective July 1, 2012, all active judges, whether engaged before or after December 31, 1989, shall have deducted from compensation as defined in subsection 36-8-1(8) an amount equal to twelve percent (12%) of compensation, except active Supreme Court Judges as of June 30, 2012, who shall have deducted from compensation as defined in section 36-8-1(8) an amount equal to the percent of compensation in effect on June 30, 2012. Proceeds deposited shall be held in trust for the purpose of paying retirement benefits to participating judges or their beneficiaries on the date contributions are withheld but no later than three (3) business days following the pay period ending in which contributions were withheld. The retirement board shall establish rules and regulations to govern the provisions of this section.

(b) The state is required to deduct and withhold member contributions and to transmit same to the retirement system and is hereby made liable for the contribution. In addition, any amount of employee contributions actually deducted and withheld shall be deemed to be a special fund in trust for the benefit of the member and shall be transmitted to the retirement system as set forth herein.

(c) A member of the judiciary who withdraws from service or ceases to be a member for any reason other than retirement, shall be paid on demand a refund consisting of the accumulated contributions standing to his or her credit in his or her individual account in the judicial retirement benefits account. Any member receiving a refund shall thereby forfeit and relinquish all accrued rights as a member of the system together with credits for total service previously granted to the member; provided, however, that if any member who has received a refund shall subsequently reenter the service and again become a member of the system, he or she shall have the privilege of restoring all money previously received or disbursed to his or her credit as refund of contributions plus regular interest for the period from the date of refund to the date of restoration. Upon the repayment of the refund as herein provided, the member shall again receive credit for the amount of total service which he or she had previously forfeited by the acceptance of the refund.

(d) Whenever any judge dies from any cause before retirement and has no surviving spouse, domestic partner, or minor child(ren), a payment shall be made of the accumulated contributions standing to his or her credit in his or her individual account in the judicial retirement benefits account. The payment of the accumulated contributions of the judge shall be made to such person as the judge shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the retirement board, or if the judge has filed no nomination, or if the person so nominated has died, then to the estate of the deceased judge.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-16-14 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-16 / Section 8-16-14
§ 8-16-14. Reasonable counsel fees.
Status: in_force

Any judge who has been complained against under the provisions of this chapter and who has engaged the services of counsel to respond to the complaint, and where the complaint has been dismissed by the commission, shall be entitled to have his or her reasonable counsel fees paid by the state for those legal services rendered after October 1, 1983.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-35 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-35
§ 8-10-35. Appointment of stenographers.
Status: in_force

The justices of the family court, or a majority of them, shall appoint competent shorthand writers or stenotypists for regular service in the court and one or more such writers for occasional service therein in the absence of other appointees, who shall be known as court stenographers. They shall serve during the pleasure of the court and where designated by the chief judge.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-3.2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-3.2
§ 8-8-3.2. Record and appeal of housing matters.
Status: in_force

(a) An electronic record shall be made of the proceedings in the trial or hearing of every action in the district court under the provisions of § 8-8-3(a)(4). If ordered by the judge trying or hearing the matter a typewritten transcription of the record shall be made and shall be filed with the papers of the case. The transcript shall be completed and filed within the time allowed by the court. A copy of the transcript shall be delivered forthwith to the attorneys of record and for the typing of the transcript a reasonable fee shall be allowed by the court. In the event the typewritten transcription is used in subsequent proceedings the cost of obtaining the transcript shall be allowed as part of the cost of the case.

(b) Any party aggrieved by a final judgment, decree, or order of the district court under § 8-8-3(a)(4) may, within twenty (20) days after entry of judgment, petition the supreme court of the state of Rhode Island for a writ of certiorari to review any errors involved. The petition for a writ of certiorari shall set forth the errors claimed. Upon the filing of such a petition with the clerk of the supreme court, the supreme court may, if it sees fit, issue its writ of certiorari to the district court to certify to the supreme court the record of the proceedings in the case together with any transcript of the proceedings furnished by the petitioner at his or her expense.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-3-10 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-3 / Section 8-3-10
§ 8-3-10. Service after retirement.
Status: in_force

Any justice or judge of the supreme court, superior court, family court, or district court who shall retire in accordance with the provisions of § 8-3-7, 8-3-8, or 8-3-12 and who shall subsequently be assigned to perform service in accordance with § 8-3-7 or 8-3-8, when so assigned and performing such service, shall receive in addition to his or her retirement pension the difference in pay and fringe benefits between what he or she was entitled to receive under § 8-3-7, 8-3-8, or 8-3-12 prior to exercising his or her options available under § 8-3-11 and what a judge or justice with comparable state service time is receiving as a justice or judge of the court to which he/she is assigned, or a justice or judge of the court from which he/she retired, whichever is greater.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-11-7 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-11 / Section 8-11-7
§ 8-11-7. Postponement of hearing.
Status: in_force

Whenever provision is made for the hearing of a matter on a day certain, it may be heard then or on some future day to which the court may assign the hearing, or on which all the parties in writing may agree and to which the court may assent.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-28 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-28
§ 8-8-28. Burden of proof in tax cases.
Status: in_force

In all tax cases before the court, and upon appeal therefrom, a preponderance of the evidence shall suffice to sustain the burden of proof. The burden of proof shall fall upon the party seeking affirmative relief and the burden of going forward with the evidence shall shift as in other civil litigation. In any proceedings in which the division of taxation alleges fraud or an exception to the normal statute of limitations on assessment, the burden of proof in respect of that issue shall be upon the division of taxation. To be sustained on the issue of fraud, the division of taxation must sustain a burden of clear and convincing proof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-7 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-7
§ 8-2-7. Information requests by administrative judge.
Status: in_force

The judges of the superior court shall comply with all requests made by the administrative judge for information and statistical data bearing on the state of the dockets of the court and such other information as may reflect the business, and the state of business, transacted by them.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-39 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-39
§ 8-2-39. General magistrate  Appointment, duties and powers.
Status: in_force

(a) There is hereby created within the superior court the position of general magistrate who shall be appointed by the presiding justice of the superior court, with the advice and consent of the senate, for a term of ten (10) years and until a successor is appointed and qualified. Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit the assignment of the general magistrate to more than one such term, subject to the advice and consent of the senate. The person appointed to serve as general magistrate shall be a member of the bar of Rhode Island. The powers and duties of the general magistrate shall be prescribed in the order appointing him or her.

(b)(1) The general magistrate shall assist the court in:

(i) The determination of, monitoring, collection, and payment of restitution and court ordered fines, fees, and costs or the ordering of community service in lieu of or in addition to the payment of restitution, fines, fees, and costs, consistent with other provisions of the general laws;

(ii) The determination and payment of claims under the violent crimes indemnity fund for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act of 1972, chapter 25 of title 12;

(iii) The determination and payment of claims from the Criminal Royalties Distribution Act of 1983, chapter 25.1 of title 12; and

(iv) Such other matters as the presiding justice of the superior court determines are necessary.

(2) The chief justice of the supreme court, with the consent of the presiding justice and, if applicable, the chief judge of a particular court, may assign the general magistrate to serve as a magistrate in any court of the unified system. When the general magistrate is so assigned he or she shall be vested, authorized, and empowered with all the powers belonging to the magistrate position to which he or she is specially assigned.

(c) The general magistrate will be empowered to hear all motions, pretrial conferences, arraignments, probable cause hearings, bail hearings, bail and probation revocation hearings, and to review all such matters including, but not limited to the above, and to modify the terms and conditions of probation and other court-ordered monetary payments including, but not limited to, the extension of time for probation and court-ordered monetary payments as provided by law. The general magistrate shall have the power to take testimony in connection with all matters set forth herein.

(d) The general magistrate may be authorized:

(1) To regulate all proceedings before him or her;

(2) To do all acts and take all measures necessary or proper for the efficient performance of his or her duties;

(3) To require the production before him or her of books, papers, vouchers, documents, and writings;

(4) To rule upon the admissibility of evidence;

(5) To issue subpoenas for the appearance of witnesses, to put witnesses on oath, to examine them, and to call parties to the proceeding and examine them upon oath;

(6) To adjudicate a person in contempt and to order him or her imprisoned for not more than seventy-two (72) hours, pending review by a justice of the relevant court, for failure to appear in response to a summons or for refusal to answer questions or produce evidence or for behavior disrupting a proceeding;

(7) To adjudicate a party in contempt and to order him or her imprisoned for not more than seventy-two (72) hours, pending review by a justice of the relevant court, for failure to comply with a pending order to provide payment or to perform any other act; and

(8) To issue a capias and/or body attachment upon the failure of a party or witness to appear after having been properly served and, should the court not be in session, the person apprehended may be detained at the adult correctional institutions, if an adult, or at the Rhode Island training school for youth, if a child, until the next session of the court.

(e) A party aggrieved by an order entered by the general magistrate shall be entitled to a review of the order by a justice of the relevant court. Unless otherwise provided in the rules of procedure of the court, such review shall be on the record and appellate in nature. The court shall, by rules of procedure, establish procedures for review of orders entered by a general magistrate, and for enforcement of contempt adjudications of a general magistrate.

(f) Final orders of the superior or family court entered in a proceeding to review an order of a general magistrate may be appealed to the supreme court. Final orders of the district court entered in a proceeding to review an order of the general magistrate may be appealed to the superior court.

(g) The general magistrate shall:

(1) Receive all credits and retirement allowances as afforded justices under chapter 3 of this title and any other applicable law, including without limitation, §8-3-16;

(2) Receive a salary equivalent to that of a district court judge;

(3) Be governed by the commission on judicial tenure and discipline, chapter 16, of this title, in the same manner as justices and judges;

(4) Be subject to all provisions of the canons of judicial ethics or code of judicial conduct;

(5) Be subject to all criminal laws relative to judges by virtue of §§11-7-1 and 11-7-2.

(h) The provisions of this section shall be afforded liberal construction.

(i) The presiding justice of the superior court shall initially appoint such support staff as may be necessary, relating to preparation, investigation, and implementation of the general magistrates functions. Effective November 15, 1993, the support staff shall be placed under the supervision and management of the superior court, and new appointments or personnel changes in the support staff shall be subject to the directions and approval of the superior court, consistent with any applicable collective bargaining agreements. The general magistrate shall have the power and authority to issue subpoenas and to compel the attendance of witnesses at any place within the state, to administer oaths and to require testimony under oath. The general magistrate, or his or her designee, may serve his or her process or notices in a manner provided for the service of process and notice in civil or criminal actions in accordance with the rules of court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-16-2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-16 / Section 8-16-2
§ 8-16-2. Terms of the commissioners.
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided, the members of the commission shall serve for terms of three (3) years; provided, however, that the initial appointments shall be so staggered that one of each class of members so appointed shall serve for a term of one year, one for two (2) years, and one for three (3) years. The appointment by the supreme court of the member of the judiciary at large shall be for a term of three (3) years. No member shall be eligible for reappointment to another term if he or she has served more than six (6) consecutive years. Vacancies other than those arising through the expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term in the same manner as vacancies due to the expiration of the term.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-6-3 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-6 / Section 8-6-3
§ 8-6-3. Filing and publication of rules.
Status: in_force

All rules shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state and shall be effective upon filing unless with respect to any rule the court adopting the rule shall specify a later date as the effective date thereof, in which case the rule shall be effective upon the date so specified. With each publication of the public laws as required by § 43-2-7, the secretary of state shall include all rules adopted since the last prior publication thereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-30 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-30
§ 8-2-30. Petition for change of venue.
Status: in_force

Applications for the removal of any civil action, suit, or proceeding, as provided in § 8-2-29, shall be by petition setting forth the cause or reasons therefor, which petition shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the superior court for the county where the action, suit, or proceeding is pending, and a copy thereof served on the adverse party, or on his or her attorney of record, within ten (10) days after the filing of the petition; and no such petition in any civil cause shall be heard until the expiration of five (5) days after the service of the copy, unless by agreement of the parties.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-3.3 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-3.3
§ 8-8-3.3. Equitable powers in residential landlord and tenant matters.
Status: in_force

In addition to the powers heretofore exercised, the district court is hereby empowered, in furtherance of its jurisdiction under § 8-8-3(a)(2), to grant such orders, including temporary restraining orders, and preliminary and permanent injunctions as justice and equity may require.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-12-3 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-12 / Section 8-12-3
§ 8-12-3. Claim for escheated funds.
Status: in_force

(a) Any person who claims a right to money or funds paid to the general fund by the supreme court, the superior court, the family court, the district court, the workers compensation court and/or the traffic tribunal pursuant to § 8-12-2, may file a complaint in the superior court within and for the county of Providence within three (3) years after the funds are deposited in the general fund. The complaint shall be subject to the superior court rules of civil procedure and shall follow the course of equity. The complaint shall be filed against the state, and service of process shall be made upon the administrator of the state courts in person or at his or her respective office with someone in charge of the office. The attorney general shall appear and represent the state in the action. The superior court shall hear the complaint, and in case the final determination of the complaint is in favor of the plaintiff, the court shall enter its judgment directing the administrator of the state courts to repay to the plaintiff so much of the fund as the plaintiff has shown himself or herself entitled to receive, together with interest at a rate not to exceed six percent (6%) per annum on that amount, together with the costs of the action as taxed, in accordance with the rules of civil procedure. The interest shall begin to accumulate on the date the sum is received by the general fund and shall cease on the earlier of fifteen (15) years following receipt or the date on which payment is made to the owner. Upon issuance of the order, the clerk shall immediately forward to the administrator of the state courts the execution based upon the judgment and including costs as taxed. The general fund will pay the amount named in the execution to the party entitled to the amount.

(b) In case the action is determined in favor of the state, the determination shall operate as a final bar against the claimant or his or her or its representatives. In the event the action is decided in favor of the claimant, review may be had by the supreme court in its discretion on petition for writ of certiorari, which must be filed within twenty (20) days by the attorney general following the judgment of the superior court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-23.3 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-23.3
§ 8-10-23.3. Jamestown juvenile hearing board.
Status: in_force

The town of Jamestown shall have the authority to create a juvenile hearing board subject to the provisions of § 8-10-23.1, and the requirements of the towns regulations, charter or ordinances.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-17 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-17
§ 8-8-17. Duties of division clerks.
Status: in_force

The clerk of each division of the district court shall:

(1) Keep a docket, and an alphabetical index thereof, either in writing or by means of an electronic information storage system or other data compilation system, of all actions, complaints, or proceedings, either of a civil or criminal nature, that may be entered or had in the division, and shall note in the docket against each case the decision or determination thereof, all subsequent proceedings, and the judgment therein, and, in all criminal cases, the fines or imprisonment to which the defendant may be sentenced.

(2) Record the decisions, judgments, and proceedings of the division in a book to be kept for that purpose or in an electronic information storage system or any other data compilation system.

(3) Tax costs, including officers fees, in all cases, civil or criminal, that may be entered, commenced, or pending in the division; all taxation by the clerk shall be subject to revision by any district judge sitting in the division.

(4) Receive all fines and costs in criminal cases and all court fees in civil cases and account therefor as by law required.

(5) Have custody of the seal of the division.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-16-5 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-16 / Section 8-16-5
§ 8-16-5. Certification of recommendations to supreme court.
Status: in_force

Whenever the commission shall make a determination recommending the reprimand, censure, suspension, immediate temporary suspension, removal, or retirement of a member of the judiciary, it shall file forthwith a copy of the recommendation, certified by the chairperson, together with the transcript and the findings and conclusions, with the chief justice of the supreme court, and the commission shall forthwith give the member of the judiciary written notice of the filing, together with a copy of its findings and recommendations. The notice shall be mailed to the chambers of the judge or to his or her last known place of residence or may be personally delivered to him or her by a member of the commission. The transcript and the findings, conclusions, and recommendation of the commission shall be public documents, except when they relate to a hearing concerning a private reprimand pursuant to § 8-16-4(d), in which case they shall be kept confidential.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-3.2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-3.2
§ 8-10-3.2. General magistrate of the family court.
Status: in_force

(a) There is hereby created within the family court the position of general magistrate of the family court who shall be appointed by the chief judge of the family court with the advice and consent of the senate for a term of ten (10) years and until a successor is appointed and qualified. Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit the assignment of the general magistrate to more than one such term, subject to the advice and consent of the senate.

(b) The general magistrate shall be an attorney at law and a member in good standing of the Rhode Island bar.

(c) The primary function of the general magistrate shall be the enforcement of child support decrees, orders, and law relative to child support. The general magistrate shall have all the authority and powers vested in magistrates by virtue of §§ 8-10-3, 8-10-3.1, 9-15-19, 9-15-21, 9-14-26, 9-18-8, 9-18-9, and 36-2-3, and any other authority conferred upon magistrates by any general or public law or by any rule of procedure or practice of any court within the state.

(d) The chief justice of the supreme court with the agreement of the chief judge of the family court may specially assign the general magistrate to any court of the unified judicial system; provided, however, that the general magistrate may be assigned to the superior court subject to the prior approval of the presiding justice of the superior court. When the general magistrate is so assigned he or she shall be vested, authorized, and empowered with all the powers belonging to the magistrates of the court to which he or she is specially assigned.

(e) The general magistrate shall:

(1) Receive all credits and retirement allowances as afforded justices under chapter 3 of this title and any other applicable law;

(2) Be governed by the commission on judicial tenure and discipline, chapter 16 of this title, in the same manner as justices and workers compensation judges;

(3) Be entitled to a special license plate under § 31-3-47;

(4) Receive a salary equivalent to that of a district court judge;

(5) Be subject to all the provisions of the canons of judicial ethics; and

(6) Be subject to all criminal laws relative to judges by virtue of §§ 11-7-1 and 11-7-2.

(f) The general magistrate of the family court who shall at the time of passage of this section hold the position of general magistrate, shall upon retirement, at his or her own request and at the direction of the chief justice of the supreme court, subject to the retirees physical and mental competence, be assigned to perform such services as general magistrate of the family court, as the chief judge of the family court shall prescribe. When so assigned and performing such service, the general magistrate shall have all the powers and authority of general magistrate of the family court, but otherwise shall have no powers nor be authorized to perform any judicial duties. For any such service or assignments performed after retirement, the general magistrate shall receive no compensation whatsoever, either monetary or in kind. Such a retired general magistrate shall not be counted in the number of judicial officers provided by law for the family court.

(g) The provisions of this section shall be afforded liberal construction.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-1-4 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-1 / Section 8-1-4
§ 8-1-4. Seal of court.
Status: in_force

The supreme court shall have a seal, which shall contain the words SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, and such device as the court shall adopt.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-16 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-16
§ 8-8-16. Duties of district court clerks.
Status: in_force

Every clerk of the district court shall record reasonably the judgments and determinations of the court, and account with the state controller and pay over to the general treasurer, as often as by law required, all fines, costs, and other money received by him or her, and also account with and pay over to the town treasurers of the towns in his or her division, as often as by law required, all fines and other money received by him or her belonging to or payable to the town.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-10 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-10
§ 8-9-10. Appointment and supervision of temporary custodians of decedents estates.
Status: in_force

Every probate court may appoint any suitable person or persons as custodian or custodians to have the charge and care of the real and personal property of deceased persons, the settlement of whose estates is within the jurisdiction of the court, until letters testamentary or of administration are granted; the court may require the custodians to give bond to the court, with or without surety or sureties, in its discretion; the court may also, in its discretion, authorize the custodians to sell any property that may come to their possession by virtue of the appointment, and to take any other action that the court may direct. The custodians shall in all things be subject to the control of the court and act under its direction, and shall receive a reasonable compensation out of the estate.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-9 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-9
§ 8-8-9. Vacancies.
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever any person appointed to the office of chief judge or associate judge shall fail to accept and qualify for the office or there is a vacancy in the office caused by death, resignation, retirement, removal, or any other cause whatsoever while the senate is in session, the governor shall appoint some person to fill the vacancy, and submit his or her appointment to the senate for confirmation in accordance with the general laws governing judicial selection.

(b) Whenever the chief judge shall be unable, by reason of illness, to perform the duties of his or her office, or there is a vacancy in the office, the associate judge having precedence, who is present and qualified to act, shall perform the duties of the office until the inability is removed or, in the case of a vacancy, until the vacancy shall be filled in accordance with the general laws governing judicial selection. In the event that the chief judge determines that his or her absence will prevent him or her from performing the duties of his or her office, he or she shall designate an associate judge to perform those duties during the period of his or her absence.

(c) The associate judges shall have precedence according to the dates of their commissions, or when the commission of two (2) or more of them bear the same date, according to their ages.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-32 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-32
§ 8-10-32. Employment of clerical assistance by clerk.
Status: in_force

(a) The clerk of the family court, with the approval of the chief judge thereof, shall appoint as many assistant clerks as may be necessary, who shall hold office until removal by the clerk or by a majority of the justices.

(b) The clerk is hereby authorized and empowered to employ such clerical assistants, in addition to the assistant clerks, as he or she may require in his or her office in copying, recording, indexing, and attending upon the files of the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-8 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-8
§ 8-8-8. Engagement and acceptance of appointment.
Status: in_force

Every judge accepting the office shall, within thirty (30) days after appointment, take the engagement provided in § 8-3-1 and shall file a written notice of his or her acceptance, together with proof of his engagement upon his or her commission, with the secretary of state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-3-18 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-3 / Section 8-3-18
§ 8-3-18. Calculation of retirement benefits.
Status: in_force

For purposes of the calculation of retirement benefits, in the event that any justice or judge of the supreme court, the superior court, the family court, or the district court participates or acquiesces in a state shutdown or in a reduced salary or a salary deferral plan consistent with any such plan imposed upon or agreed to by other state employees, his or her annual salary shall be calculated as if he or she had not participated or acquiesced in any such shutdown or plan.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-37 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-37
§ 8-10-37. Report of trials  Transcripts.
Status: in_force

Subject to the provisions of § 8-10-21, court reporters shall report stenographically, or court recording clerks or similar recording personnel shall report electronically, the proceedings in the trial of every action or proceeding, civil or criminal, in the family court. Each court reporter or court recording clerk or similar recording personnel shall also, upon the order of any justice of the court, transcribe or otherwise reproduce their report to be filed with the papers in the case. They shall also make a transcript or otherwise reproduce the whole or any part of the report upon the written request, filed with the clerk, by either party to the action or proceeding, and when completed and within the time limited by the court for filing the transcript, shall immediately deliver the same to the party ordering it, or to the attorney of record of the party, and in the case of transcription by court reporters for such service shall be paid a reasonable compensation, not less than five dollars ($5.00) and not exceeding three dollars and fifty cents ($3.50) per page for originals and two dollars ($2.00) per page for copies thereof to be allowed by the court; and, in case the transcript is used in subsequent proceedings in the cause, the cost of the transcript may be allowed as part of the costs. In the case of electronic court recordings the person making the recordings or another person so designated by the court may be requested or ordered, in lieu of making a transcript, to reproduce the recording and certify its authenticity, and in such case each party requesting the reproduction shall pay to the court the sum of ten dollars ($10.00) per cassette.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-3.4 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-3.4
§ 8-8-3.4. Equitable powers in abusive litigation matters.
Status: in_force

In addition to the powers heretofore exercised, the district court is hereby empowered in furtherance of jurisdiction under chapter 8.4 of this title to grant such orders, including setting prefiling restrictions on persons found to be abusive litigants, as justice and equity may require.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-32 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-32
§ 8-2-32. Retention of papers or return to original county.
Status: in_force

If an entire cause shall have been removed under the provisions of this chapter, all further proceedings in the cause shall be taken as if the cause had been commenced in the county to which it was removed. If less than the entire cause shall have been removed, then upon determination of the question for which removal was made, the record shall be remitted to the clerk of the court for the county from which the cause was removed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-2.2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-2.2
§ 8-9-2.2. New Shoreham town council as probate court.
Status: in_force

The town council of the town of New Shoreham may act as a probate court within its town; the major part of the members elected constitutes a quorum for doing business, and the major part of those present at any legal meeting may decide upon any matter before them.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-15 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-15
§ 8-8-15. Chief, deputy, and assistant clerks.
Status: in_force

(a) There shall be a chief clerk of the district court. In the month of April of 1971 and in each fifth year thereafter, the chief judge of the district court, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint the chief clerk of the district court who shall hold office until the first day in April in the fifth year next after his or her appointment and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. In case of a vacancy in the office of clerk of the district court, from any cause, the chief judge of the district court, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint some person to fill the vacancy for the balance of the unexpired term and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. In case of the death, resignation, absence, inability, or refusal to serve of the clerk, the chief judge may appoint a clerk pro tempore, who shall hold his or her office until the clerk shall have returned or the inability shall have been removed or another clerk shall have been appointed to fill such a vacancy and shall have qualified.

(b) The chief judge of the district court shall appoint a deputy clerk for each division and assistant clerks in the various divisions of the district court to serve at his or her pleasure. All such clerks and the chief clerk may administer oaths within the state.

(c) The clerks of the court shall devote their full time to their duties. They are not required to be members of the bar of this state, but if a member of the bar of this state is appointed a clerk, he or she shall not practice law during his or her term in office nor shall he or she be a partner or associate of any person engaged in the practice of law.

(d) The chief judge of the district court shall have the power to authorize, with the power to revoke such authorizations, the chief clerk, the deputy clerks, and the assistant clerks of the district court to set and take bail on all complaints bailable before a division of the district court to the same extent and with the same authority as is granted to justices of the peace authorized to set and take bail by § 12-10-2. The authorizations and revocations shall be recorded with the secretary of state. District court clerks may exercise the authority granted by the chief judge under this section only during the normal working hours of the clerks office to which they are assigned. This authority shall be exercised without fee.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-3-8.2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-3 / Section 8-3-8.2
§ 8-3-8.2. No incremental retirement benefit for temporary service as chief justice, presiding justice or chief judge.
Status: in_force

No increment in salary resulting from any rule or regulation providing for an increment in salary for temporary service as chief justice, presiding justice or chief judge shall be construed to add to the annual salary of a judicial officer for purposes of retirement under § 8-3-8 or 8-3-8.1.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-19-3 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-19 / Section 8-19-3
§ 8-19-3. Appointment of certified or qualified interpreters.
Status: in_force

(a) When a limited-English-proficient person is a party, or the parent or legal guardian of a party, to a legal proceeding, or an alleged victim in a criminal proceeding, the appointing authority shall appoint a certified interpreter to assist such person during the legal proceeding. The state court administrators office shall maintain a list of Rhode Island certified and qualified interpreters from which the appointing authority shall make its appointments.

(b) The appointing authority may appoint a qualified interpreter in place of a certified interpreter when:

(1) A good-faith effort has been made to locate and obtain the services of a certified interpreter and one is not available; and

(2) The appointing authority makes a finding that the proposed qualified interpreter appears to have adequate language skills; knowledge of interpreting techniques; familiarity with interpreting in a court or hearing; and that he/she has read, understands, and will abide by an established code of ethics for language interpreters pursuant to this chapter; and

(3) The proceeding is one of a preliminary nature and of a short duration. Proceedings of a preliminary nature may include but not be limited to:

(i) Arraignments;

(ii) Costs, restitution, and/or fine reviews;

(iii) Probation reviews;

(iv) Preliminary hearings on pretrial motions; and

(v) Appearances before the court on bench warrants or arrest warrants.

(c) If any relationship between the interpreter and any of the parties, attorneys, witnesses, victims, or any other persons involved in the proceeding exists, the nature of that relationship shall be disclosed to the appointing authority on the record and the appointing authority may in its discretion excuse the interpreter from said proceeding.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-4-15 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-4 / Section 8-4-15
§ 8-4-15. Removal of deputies  Compensation  Liability for misconduct or neglect.
Status: in_force

Each deputy clerk shall be removable at the pleasure of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; and the supreme court clerk appointing him or her shall fix the amount of his or her compensation within the amount appropriated therefor and shall be liable for his misconduct or neglect of duty.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-19-6 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-19 / Section 8-19-6
§ 8-19-6. Severability.
Status: in_force

If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the chapter or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-34 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-34
§ 8-2-34. Impaneling and instruction of grand juries.
Status: in_force

All grand juries shall be impaneled by the superior court. They shall be empowered, required, and charged to diligently inquire and make true presentment of all crimes and offenses done or committed within their jurisdiction, and shall, insofar as may be deemed necessary, be instructed by the court in the law relative thereto.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-3.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-3.1
§ 8-10-3.1. Magistrates  Appointment, duties, and powers.
Status: in_force

(a) The chief judge of the family court may appoint magistrates, with the advice and consent of the senate, to assist the court in the conduct of its business. A person appointed to serve as a magistrate shall be a member of the bar of Rhode Island. The powers and duties of magistrates shall be prescribed in the order appointing them.

(b) In addition, magistrates may assist the court in:

(1) The enforcement and implementation of chapter 23.1 of title 15;

(2) The determination of matters that come before the court pursuant to § 8-10-4, chapter 1 of title 14, chapters 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 16 of title 15, chapter 19 of title 16, chapter 11 of title 40, and chapter 5 of title 40.1.

Magistrates shall be empowered to hear and determine all motions, pretrial conferences, arraignments of juvenile offenders, probable cause hearings, and review of all such matters, including but not limited to, the temporary placement, custody, disposition, and adoption of children, orders of support, final divorce decrees, and the taking of testimony in conducting all hearings relative thereto subject to the review provided for in subsection (d).

(c) The magistrates shall serve a term of ten (10) years and until a successor is appointed and qualified and the magistrates powers and duties shall be prescribed in the order appointing them or in the rules of procedure of the family court. Any magistrate in service as of January 1, 2008, who serves at the pleasure of the chief judge of the family court may be appointed for a term of ten (10) years with the advice and consent of the senate and until a successor is appointed and qualified. Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit the assignment of a magistrate to more than one such term, subject to the advice and consent of the senate. The magistrates may be authorized:

(1) To regulate all proceedings before them;

(2) To do all acts and take all measures necessary or proper for the efficient performance of their duties;

(3) To require the production before them of books, papers, vouchers, documents, and writings;

(4) To rule upon the admissibility of evidence;

(5) To issue subpoenas for the appearance of witnesses, to put witnesses on oath, to examine them, and to call parties to the proceeding and examine them upon oath;

(6) To adjudicate a person in contempt and to order the person imprisoned for not more than seventy-two (72) hours, pending review by a justice of the court, for failure to appear in response to a summons or for refusal to answer questions or produce evidence or for behavior disrupting a proceeding;

(7) To adjudicate a party in contempt and to order the party imprisoned for not more than seventy-two (72) hours, pending review by a justice of the court, for failure to comply with a pending order to provide support or to perform any other act; and

(8) To issue a capias and/or body attachment upon the failure of a party or witness to appear after having been properly served and, should the family court not be in session, the person apprehended may be detained at the adult correctional institution, if an adult, or at the Rhode Island training school for youth, if a child, until the next session of the family court.

(d) A party aggrieved by an order entered by a magistrate shall be entitled to a review of the order by a justice of the family court. Unless otherwise provided in the rules of procedure of the family court, such review shall be on the record and appellate in nature. The family court shall by rules of procedure establish procedures for review of orders entered by a magistrate, and for enforcement of contempt adjudications of a magistrate.

(e) Final orders of the family court entered in a proceeding to review an order of a magistrate may be appealed to the supreme court.

(f) The magistrates shall be empowered to hear de novo all applications for income withholding pursuant to chapter 16 of title 15 and appeals of administrative agency orders of the department of human services to withhold income under chapter 16 of title 15.

(g) The magistrates shall be empowered to hear all matters relating to the revocation or nonrenewal of a license of an obligor due to non-compliance with a court order of support, in accordance with chapter 11.1 of title 15.

(h) The magistrates may be authorized by the chief judge to hear those matters on the domestic abuse prevention calendar and the nominal and contested divorce trial calendars.

[See §12-1-15 of the General Laws.]
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-1
§ 8-10-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as The Family Court Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-16-4.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-16 / Section 8-16-4.1
§ 8-16-4.1. Subpoena powers of commission.
Status: in_force

The members of the commission are hereby severally authorized and empowered to administer oaths; and the commission, in all cases of every nature pending before it, is hereby authorized and empowered to summon and examine witnesses and to compel the production and examination of papers, books, accounts, documents, records, certificates, and other legal evidence that may be necessary or proper for the determination and decision of any question before or the discharge of any duty required by law of the commission. All subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum shall be signed by the chairperson or, in the absence or disqualification of the chairperson, by any other member thereof, shall be served as subpoenas are now served in civil cases in the superior court; and witnesses so subpoenaed shall be entitled to the same fees for attendance and travel as are now provided for witnesses in civil cases in the superior court. If any person fails to obey the command of any such subpoena without reasonable cause, or if a person in attendance before the commission shall, without reasonable cause, refuse to be sworn, or to be examined, or to answer a legal and pertinent question, the commission may apply to any justice of the superior court, upon proof by affidavit of the fact, for a rule or order, returnable in not less than two (2) or more than five (5) days, directing the person to show cause why he or she should not be adjudged in contempt. Upon the return of the order, the justice before whom the matter is brought for a hearing shall examine under oath the person and such person shall be given an opportunity to be heard, and if the justice shall determine that the person has refused without reasonable cause or legal excuse to be examined, or to answer a legal and pertinent question, or to produce books, accounts, papers, records, and documents material to the issue which he or she was ordered to bring or produce, he or she may forthwith commit the person to the adult correctional institutions, there to remain until he or she submits to do the act which he or she was so required to do, or is discharged according to law. If an application for contempt pursuant to this section relates to the actions of a witness at a public hearing, then the papers filed with and proceedings before the court shall be open to the public; otherwise, such papers and proceedings shall be confidential.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-13-1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-13 / Section 8-13-1
§ 8-13-1. Creation  Composition.
Status: in_force

A judicial council is hereby created for the study of the organization of the judicial system of the state and all matters relating to the administration of the system and its several departments of service. The judicial council shall consist of six (6) members of the bar of this state, who shall be appointed by the governor.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-12-2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-12 / Section 8-12-2
§ 8-12-2. Deposit of unclaimed funds.
Status: in_force

If, upon examination of the sworn statement required to be filed by the several clerks under the provisions of § 8-12-1, it appears to the state court administrator that there are deposits in the registry of the supreme court, the superior court, the family court, the district court, the workers compensation court and/or the traffic tribunal that have been unclaimed by any person prima facie entitled to the deposits, or his or her or its representative, for a period of five (5) years preceding the last business day of June of the then current year, then all of those unclaimed deposits in the registry of the applicable court, together with any interest on the deposit, shall be paid to the general fund to be held and used by the administrator of the state courts as approved by the chief justice of the supreme court subject to being repaid to the person(s), firm(s) or corporation(s) who may subsequently establish a lawful right to the deposit as provided in § 8-12-3.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-23 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-23
§ 8-2-23. One justice quorum  Two or more sitting together.
Status: in_force

Any one justice of the superior court shall be a quorum for all purposes, except as otherwise provided; but the court may, when so ordered by the presiding justice, be held for any purpose by two (2) or more justices, to be designated as provided in § 8-2-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-15-2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-15 / Section 8-15-2
§ 8-15-2. Executive head of system.
Status: in_force

The chief justice of the supreme court shall be the executive head of the judicial system.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-21 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-21
§ 8-10-21. Records of court.
Status: in_force

The records of the family court shall be public records, except that records of hearings in matters set forth in § 14-1-5, together with stenographic notes and transcripts of those hearings, shall not be available for public inspection unless the court shall otherwise order. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the records of the family court in criminal matters involving adults shall be public records. The record of delinquent or wayward adjudications of juveniles, or protective orders issued against juveniles, may be accessed by law enforcement personnel to be used for law enforcement purposes only and shall remain otherwise confidential. The attorney general shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to facilitate the purposes of this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-31 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-31
§ 8-8-31. Frivolous appeals.
Status: in_force

Whenever it appears to the court that proceedings before it have been instituted by the taxpayer solely for delay and that the taxpayers complaint is frivolous and groundless, damages in an amount not in excess of five thousand dollars ($5,000) plus costs may be assessed against the taxpayer by the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-16-11 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-16 / Section 8-16-11
§ 8-16-11. Papers and testimony privileged.
Status: in_force

The filing of papers with or the giving of testimony before the commission or supreme court shall be privileged in any action for defamation. No other publication of such papers or proceedings shall be so privileged, except any record, pleading, or brief filed by the commission in the supreme court continues to be privileged.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-4 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-4
§ 8-9-4. Election and powers of probate judge.
Status: in_force

The town council of any town which may, at the regular meeting of the town, have delegated to its town council such power, shall elect a judge of probate for the town, and any city council or any town may at the election of town officers elect a judge of probate for the city or town; and the judge of probate, upon being engaged, shall, instead of the town council, have the power and be subject to the duties of a probate court, and be entitled to the fees of the court and such salary, in addition to or instead of such fees, to be received of the city or town, as the city or town may allow.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-6 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-6
§ 8-8-6. Special service of process.
Status: in_force

The district court may order special service of any process, original or auxiliary, in any proceeding within the jurisdiction of the court, by personal notice, notice by mail, or publication in a newspaper within or without the state, for the purpose of dealing with any property, relation, or person subject to the jurisdiction of the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-4 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-4
§ 8-10-4. Criminal cases referred to family court.
Status: in_force

To the family court shall also be referred for hearing, adjustment, reconciliation, decision, and sentence all causes properly brought in the court or appealed from other courts in which the defendant is accused, as provided by the statutes, of abandonment of his wife or her husband or children, or both, leaving them in danger of becoming public charges; of neglect to provide according to their means for his wife or her husband or children, or both; of neglect or refusal of an habitual drunkard to aid in the support of his or her family; of neglect or refusal by a child over eighteen (18) years of age to provide for the support and maintenance of his or her father or mother; or of threat to commit a crime or offense against the person or property of the defendants husband, wife, children, father, or mother.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-13 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-13
§ 8-2-13. Exclusive jurisdiction of equity actions.
Status: in_force

The superior court shall, except as otherwise provided by law, have exclusive original jurisdiction of suits and proceedings of an equitable character and of statutory proceedings following the course of equity; provided, however, that every probate court shall have the power, concurrent with the superior court, to replace, remove, or fill any vacancy of any trustee under a trust established under a will, or to effect tax minimization or estate planning under § 33-15-37.1. If an action is brought in the superior court which represents an attempt in good faith to invoke the jurisdiction conferred by this section, the superior court shall have jurisdiction of all other actions arising out of the same transaction or occurrence, provided the other actions are joined with the action so brought or are subsequently made a part thereof under applicable procedural rules, and the court may retain jurisdiction over the other actions even though the initial action fails for want of equity jurisdiction.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-27 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-27
§ 8-2-27. Venue  Consolidation of actions.
Status: in_force

(a) Any civil cause or any question of law or fact therein may, by consent of the parties and with approval of the court, be tried and determined in any county. When civil actions involving a common question of law or fact are pending in different counties, the court may in the interest of convenience order any such action transferred to another county for the purpose of consolidating the actions for trial.

(b) Any civil cause may be referred from one county to another by the presiding justice of the court in the interest of obtaining a more speedy trial.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-15-3.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-15 / Section 8-15-3.1
§ 8-15-3.1. Chief justice  Power to assign magistrates.
Status: in_force

The Chief justice of the supreme court has the power to assign any magistrate of the superior court, family court, district court, or traffic tribunal to any court or tribunal of the unified judicial system with the consent of the presiding justice, chief judge, and/or chief magistrate of the relevant courts. When a magistrate is so assigned, he or she shall be vested, authorized, and empowered with all the powers belonging to the magistrates of the court to which he or she is specially assigned.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-21 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-21
§ 8-8-21. District court conference.
Status: in_force

There shall be a district court conference held annually, or more often, at such time and place as shall be designated by the chief judge. This conference shall consist of all the judges of the district court. The chief judge shall preside and the chief clerk shall act as secretary of the conference. The attorney general, or one of his or her assistants, shall attend to aid and advise the conference. The conference shall, with the concurrence of the chief judge, have power to direct in what manner and to what extent entries shall be made of the decisions, judgments, and proceedings of the district court. To the end that the work of the district court shall be efficiently and expeditiously transacted it shall give attention to all matters believed helpful to that end and shall make recommendations regarding procedure and other matters pertaining to the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-15-3 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-15 / Section 8-15-3
§ 8-15-3. Power to assign judges.
Status: in_force

In order to aid in the prompt disposition of judicial business, the chief justice shall have power to assign a judge of any trial court to sit in any other trial courts, subject to the approval of the presiding justice or the chief judge of both the sending and the receiving courts and with the consent of the judge to be assigned; the assignment to be for a designated period which designated period shall be determined by the chief justice subject to the approval of the presiding justice or the chief judge of both the sending and receiving courts and with the consent of the judge to be assigned; provided however, that if the designated period shall expire during a trial the justice may sit until the trial is completed; and, provided further, that the justice shall have the power to sit and exercise the function of a justice of the receiving court for the purpose of rendering a decision or completing any matter pending before him or her as a justice of the receiving court at the expiration of the period. Included in these matters shall be the hearing of motions for new trials, sentencing, and any and all other functions necessary to the conclusion of cases heard before him or her as a justice of the receiving court. The provisions of this section shall be interpreted and construed liberally for the purpose of accomplishing the purpose of this section. No other judge may be assigned to another court other than as provided in this section. The chief justice may terminate the temporary assignment sooner than as agreed upon if he or she determines that the need for the assignment no longer exists.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-15-9.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-15 / Section 8-15-9.1
§ 8-15-9.1. Payment by credit card.
Status: in_force

(a) The director of the finance section of the state courts shall establish procedures, in conjunction with the state controller and general treasurer, by which court imposed fines and costs may be paid by credit card presented at the offices of the court clerks. These procedures may include the imposition of a surcharge on the credit card user for each transaction. This surcharge shall not exceed the amount charged to the state by the credit card contractor for the corresponding transaction. Nothing contained in this section shall require justices of the peace acting as bail commissioners to accept credit cards during the hours when the clerks offices are closed.

(b) No person making any payment by credit card shall be relieved from liability for the underlying obligation except to the extent that the state realizes final payment of the underlying obligation in cash or the equivalent. If final payment is not made by the credit card issuer or other guarantor of payment in the credit card transaction, then the underlying obligation shall survive and the state shall retain all remedies for enforcement which would have applied if the credit card transaction had not occurred. No contract may modify the provisions of this subsection.

(c) Credit card account numbers in the possession of a state or local government are confidential and shall not be deemed public records.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-19-5 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-19 / Section 8-19-5
§ 8-19-5. Certification of interpreters  Establishment and procedure.
Status: in_force

The administrative office of state courts, with the approval of the supreme court, shall promulgate standards, criteria, and testing methods for the certification of foreign language interpreters under this chapter. The regulations promulgated shall address but not be limited to:

(1) Developing testing procedures for proficiency in the foreign language for which the interpreter is seeking certification;

(2) Developing testing procedures for proficiency in the English language;

(3) Developing testing procedures for knowledge of legal proceedings and legal terminologies;

(4) Developing standards for the approval of courses and/or curricula at colleges and universities and other institutes of higher learning that wish to offer courses in foreign language interpreting;

(5) Establishing minimum competency requirements for state certification as a foreign language interpreter;

(6) Establishing re-certification procedures and continuing educational requirements for certified and qualified interpreters;

(7) Establishing procedures for the termination, cancellation, or suspension of certificates issued to foreign language interpreters under this chapter;

(8) Establishing a code of ethics for foreign language interpreters;

(9) Establishing procedures for the recognition of foreign language interpreters who have been certified in other states or by the federal court;

(10) Establishing a procedure for the compilation and maintenance of statistics on the frequency and use of foreign language interpreters appointed under this chapter and the need for foreign language interpreters in other languages; and

(11) Establishing a procedure for the creation of a list of the names and contact information of all certified interpreters and qualified interpreters and making said list available to all courts covered by this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-5-8.3 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-5 / Section 8-5-8.3
§ 8-5-8.3. Visual recording of testimony.
Status: in_force

At the request of any party to the proceeding or the hearing or on the appointing authoritys initiative, the appointing authority may order that the testimony of the person who is deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind and the interpretation/transliteration of the proceeding by the qualified interpreter/transliterator be visually recorded for use in verification of the official transcript of the proceeding or hearing.

In any judicial proceeding involving a capital offense, the appointing authority may order that the testimony of the person who is deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind and the interpretation/transliteration of the proceeding or the hearing by the qualified interpreter/transliterator be visually recorded for use in verification of the official transcript of the proceeding or the hearing.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-10.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-10.1
§ 8-8-10.1. Retirement contribution.
Status: in_force

(a) Judges engaged after December 31, 1989, shall have deducted from total salary beginning December 31, 1989, and ending June 30, 2012, an amount equal to a rate percent of compensation as specified in § 36-10-1 relating to member contributions to the state retirement system. Effective July 1, 2012, all active judges, whether engaged before or after December 31, 1989, shall have deducted from compensation as defined in § 36-8-1(8) an amount equal to twelve percent (12%) of compensation. The receipts collected under this provision shall be deposited in a restricted revenue account entitled Judicial retirement benefits on the date contributions are withheld but no later than three (3) business days following the pay period ending in which contributions were withheld. Proceeds deposited in this account shall be held in trust for the purpose of paying retirement benefits to participating judges or their beneficiaries. The retirement board shall establish rules and regulations to govern the provisions of this section.

(b) The state is required to deduct and withhold member contributions and to transmit same to the retirement system and is hereby made liable for the contribution. In addition, any amount of employee contributions actually deducted and withheld shall be deemed to be a special fund in trust for the benefit of the member and shall be transmitted to the retirement system as set forth herein.

(c) A member of the judiciary who withdraws from service or ceases to be a member for any reason other than retirement shall be paid on demand a refund consisting of the accumulated contributions standing to his or her credit in his or her individual account in the judicial retirement benefits account. Any member receiving a refund shall thereby forfeit and relinquish all accrued rights as a member of the system together with credits for total service previously granted to the member; provided, however, that if any member who has received a refund shall subsequently reenter the service and again become a member of the system, the member shall have the privilege of restoring all money previously received or disbursed to his or her credit as refund of contributions plus regular interest for the period from the date of refund to the date of restoration. Upon the repayment of the refund as herein provided, the member shall again receive credit for the amount of total service which he or she had previously forfeited by the acceptance of the refund.

(d) Whenever any judge dies from any cause before retirement and has no surviving spouse, domestic partner, or minor child(ren), a payment shall be made of the accumulated contributions standing to his or her credit in his or her individual account in the judicial retirement benefits account. The payment of the accumulated contributions of the judge shall be made to such person as the judge shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the retirement board, or if the judge has filed no nomination, or if the person so nominated has died, then to the estate of the deceased judge.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-16-9 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-16 / Section 8-16-9
§ 8-16-9. Retirement of judges for incapacity or disability.
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever the commission shall, after investigation and hearing, determine that a judge has a physical or mental disability that seriously interfered and will continue to interfere with the performance of his or her duties, it may recommend to the supreme court the retirement of the judge, saving to the judge all retirement benefits that have accrued to him or her, if any. The investigation, hearing, and recommendation shall be confidential. A justice of the supreme court may not be retired under this section without his or her consent, and where consent to the retirement is withheld, a further recommendation shall be made to the speaker of the house of representatives to initiate proceedings for the removal of the judge pursuant to the provisions of article X, § 4 of the constitution.

(b) Whenever any judge has served in judicial office without having reached the prescribed age that would entitle him or her to retirement benefits, the commission, proceeding pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, may recommend to the supreme court that the judge be retired and that his or her pension rights be accelerated to become effective as of the date of his or her retirement. The supreme court may endorse the recommendation and may forward the recommendation to the general assembly for appropriate legislative action in order that his or her pension rights be so accelerated. Judges retired under this section shall be deemed to have retired voluntarily. Any judge shall be disqualified and prohibited from acting in his or her judicial capacity while any recommendation for his or her retirement, based upon physical or mental disability, is pending before the supreme court; provided, however, that the disqualification shall be without loss of compensation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-30 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-30
§ 8-8-30. Decision of the court  Form and contents.
Status: in_force

The court shall render its decision in writing, including therein a concise statement of the facts found by the court and the conclusions of law reached by the court. The court may affirm, reverse, modify, or remand any determination or shall grant such relief, invoke such other remedies, and issue such orders in accordance with its decision as shall be appropriate in a court of general jurisdiction.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-16-10 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-16 / Section 8-16-10
§ 8-16-10. Disqualification from acting as a commissioner.
Status: in_force

(a) No judge who is a member of the commission or of the supreme court shall participate as a member of the commission or the supreme court in any proceeding regarding his or her removal, suspension, immediate temporary suspension, reprimand, retirement, or censure.

(b) No member of the commission or of the supreme court shall participate in any decisions of the commission or the supreme court involving the removal, suspension, immediate temporary suspension, reprimand, retirement, or censure of a judge who is related to him or her within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity or where the one complaining of the actions of a judge against whom proceedings are being taken is related to the member of the commission.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-1-6 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-1 / Section 8-1-6
§ 8-1-6. Duties of reporter.
Status: in_force

The reporter shall make true reports of all cases in which written opinions have been rendered, and of all decisions and rescripts of the court which he or she may deem to be important and useful, and also all such matters as the court may order to be reported.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-4-4 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-4 / Section 8-4-4
§ 8-4-4. Clerks of superior court.
Status: in_force

There shall be a clerk of the superior court for the counties of Providence and Bristol, and a clerk of the superior court for each of the counties of Newport, Washington, and Kent.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-43.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-43.1
§ 8-10-43.1. Venue of criminal offenses.
Status: in_force

The chief judge of the family court or his or her designee shall fix the venue for trial of any person accused of any criminal offense which is subject to the jurisdiction of the family court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-14-2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-14 / Section 8-14-2
§ 8-14-2. Attorney records.
Status: in_force

After a period of seven (7) years or more has lapsed since the disposition of a civil case or matter, an attorney may destroy his or her records relative to the case.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-3 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-3
§ 8-2-3. Time and place of holding court.
Status: in_force

A superior court shall be held at such times and places as shall be appointed by law, by such of the justices thereof as shall be designated from time to time by the presiding justice.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-29 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-29
§ 8-2-29. Grounds for change of venue.
Status: in_force

Whenever it shall be made to appear to the satisfaction of the superior court, as provided in § 8-2-30, by either party to any civil action, suit, or proceeding now or hereafter pending therein, that by reason of local prejudice or other cause the parties to the action or proceeding, or either of them, cannot have a full, fair, and impartial trial in the court for the county where the action shall have been commenced or shall be pending, the court shall order the cause to be removed for trial to such other county as shall be deemed most fair and equitable for the parties.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-15 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-15
§ 8-10-15. Family court administrator.
Status: in_force

(a) There shall be a family court administrator who shall be appointed by the chief judge of the family court in his or her capacity as administrative judge of the court, with the advice and consent of the senate, and who shall hold office for a term of five (5) years.

(b) Under the general supervision of the chief judge of the family court, within the policies established by the court, the administrator shall:

(1) Prepare an annual budget for the court;

(2) Formulate procedures governing the administration of court services;

(3) Make recommendations to the court for improvement in court services;

(4) Collect necessary statistics and prepare the annual report of the work of the court;

(5) Provide supervision and consultation to the staff of the court concerning administration of court services, training and supervision of personnel, and fiscal management;

(6) Perform such other duties as the chief judge shall specify;

(7) And further to assume and perform, in addition to any other duties provided by this chapter, the powers, authority, and the duties of the family court clerk, pursuant to the provisions of the general laws, and shall do and perform all other things which by law or the rules of the court shall appertain to the office of clerk.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-15-5 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-15 / Section 8-15-5
§ 8-15-5. Advisory board.
Status: in_force

The chief justice shall appoint an advisory board to consult with him or her on administrative matters. The board shall include the four (4) associate justices of the supreme court, the presiding justice of the superior court, the chief judge of the family court, the chief judge of the district court, and the chief judge of the workers compensation court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-4-19 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-4 / Section 8-4-19
§ 8-4-19. Employment of clerical assistants in Kent, Washington, and Newport counties.
Status: in_force

The clerks of the superior courts within the counties of Kent, Washington, and Newport may employ such clerical assistance in their respective offices as they may deem necessary, and the general assembly shall annually appropriate such sum as it may deem necessary for this purpose; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of the sum, or so much thereof as may from time to time be required, upon receipt by him or her of proper vouchers approved by the clerk of the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-14 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-14
§ 8-10-14. Administration of operation of family court.
Status: in_force

The chief judge of the family court shall be the administrative judge of the court. He or she shall be the head of the court and have supervision and control of the calendars and of the assignment of the justices. All court stenographers, secretaries, and masters shall be under his or her supervision. It shall be his or her duty to gather such statistics as shall reflect accurately the work of the court, for the information of the court and such other use as he or she may deem expedient. He or she shall also be charged with general responsibility for any recommendations he or she may believe important for the work of the court or any officers in any way connected therewith.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-25 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-25
§ 8-8-25. Time for commencement of proceeding against the division of taxation.
Status: in_force

(a) Any taxpayer aggrieved by a final decision of the tax administrator concerning an assessment, deficiency, or otherwise may file a complaint for redetermination of the assessment, deficiency, or otherwise in the court as provided by statute under title 44.

(b) The complaint shall be filed within thirty (30) days after the mailing of notice of the final decision and shall set forth the reasons why the final decision is alleged to be erroneous and praying relief therefrom. The clerk of the court shall thereupon summon the division of taxation to answer the complaint.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-28 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-28
§ 8-10-28. Authority and duties of clerk.
Status: in_force

In addition to any other authority or duties provided by this chapter, the clerk of the family court shall have the authority and carry out the duties with respect to the family court that are exercised or performed by the clerks of the superior court for that court pursuant to the provisions of §§ 8-4-8, 8-4-9, and 8-4-10.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-23 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-23
§ 8-10-23. Intake supervisors.
Status: in_force

The justices of the family court, or a majority of them, shall appoint a chief intake supervisor and two (2) assistant intake supervisors who are qualified by education, training, previous experience in professional social welfare, personality, character, and special aptitude for the work, to serve at the pleasure of the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-16 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-16
§ 8-2-16. Jurisdiction of motions for new trial and extraordinary writs.
Status: in_force

The superior court shall have jurisdiction of such motions for new trials as may be provided by law, and concurrently with the supreme court shall have jurisdiction of writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, quo warranto, and informations in the nature of quo warranto.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-15-6 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-15 / Section 8-15-6
§ 8-15-6. Internal administration of courts not affected.
Status: in_force

The presiding judge of the superior court, the chief judge of the family court, the chief judge of the district court, the chief judge of the workers compensation court, and the chief magistrate of the traffic tribunal shall have the power to administer the affairs of their respective courts; to establish calendars and to assign magistrates and judges to those calendars; to appoint administrative and clerical personnel for their courts; to act as authorized agent for their court; and to make rules for the conduct of their business, not inconsistent with the rules promulgated for the courts pursuant to § 8-6-2.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-5 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-5
§ 8-10-5. Attempts at reconciliation by family court.
Status: in_force

In all the causes in § 8-10-4, the family court shall seek to reconcile the parties and to re-establish friendly family relations, and to this end may suggest and hold conferences in chambers with the parties interested, and with their counsel, if they are represented by counsel and may have the children of the parties brought before it for examination.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-1-8 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-1 / Section 8-1-8
§ 8-1-8. Distribution of reports  Payment of cost.
Status: in_force

Whenever the reporter shall cause to be published, as provided in § 8-1-7, an edition of a volume of reports, he or she may retain for his or her own use twenty-five (25) copies. The remainder of the edition he or she shall deliver to the secretary of state, and shall assign to the secretary of state, for the use of the state, the copyright of the volume, if it shall have been copyrighted. Upon the delivery, and upon the assignment in case of a copyright, the state controller shall draw his or her order upon the general treasurer for the cost of the edition upon receipt by him or her of proper vouchers authenticated by the reporter and approved by the state purchasing agent.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-18-9 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-18 / Section 8-18-9
§ 8-18-9. Appeals.
Status: in_force

Any person desiring to appeal from an adverse decision of a municipal court pursuant to the provisions of this chapter may seek review thereof pursuant to the procedures set forth in § 31-41.1-8.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-15-10 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-15 / Section 8-15-10
§ 8-15-10. Receipt and use of funds.
Status: in_force

There is hereby established in the judicial department a restricted receipt account referred to as Third Party Grants. The judicial department shall have the authority to receive and expend monies from gifts, devises, grants, bequests, or donations. The judicial department is authorized to enter into any contracts necessary to obtain and expend those funds.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-21 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-21
§ 8-9-21. Contempt of court  Habeas corpus.
Status: in_force

Every probate court may punish any contempt of its authority by fine or imprisonment or both. Every probate court may issue writs of habeas corpus to bring before it any person in jail to be examined as a witness in any suit or proceeding pending in the court, that the ends of justice may be attained, and for no other purpose.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-22 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-22
§ 8-10-22. Intake department  Duties.
Status: in_force

Within the family court there shall be established an intake department. Its duties shall be to receive applications and complaints relative to juvenile matters presented to the court, to provide for a thorough investigation of the applications and complaints, and to report thereon to the court before formal petition is filed. The intake department shall perform such other duties as shall be assigned to it by the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-44 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-44
§ 8-10-44. Annual appropriations.
Status: in_force

The general assembly shall annually appropriate such sums as shall be necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his or her order on the general treasurer for the payment of such sum, or so much thereof as may be required from time to time, upon receipt by him or her of duly authenticated vouchers approved by the chief judge of the family court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-14.2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-14.2
§ 8-10-14.2. Recording and certification of appointments and revocations  Signature of warrants.
Status: in_force

The appointments and revocations of justices of the peace shall be recorded in the records of the court and certified, by the chief judge making the appointment and revocation, to the secretary of state, and the judge shall also issue to the justice or justices of the peace his or her warrant under the seal of the court, by which the justice or justices shall be authorized to perform the duties herein specified, and shall also, whenever he or she shall revoke the appointment, notify the justice of the peace in writing of the revocation. Justices of the peace appointed to issue warrants shall sign all warrants by them issued as justice of the peace authorized to issue warrants.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-5-6 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-5 / Section 8-5-6
§ 8-5-6. Appointing court reporter and electronic court reporter for grand jury proceedings.
Status: in_force

Whenever the attorney-general shall make request in writing to the presiding justice of the superior court, he or she shall designate a court reporter or electronic court reporter or similar recording personnel to attend such sittings of any grand jury as the attorney-general may designate and to report stenographically in the case of the court reporter or electronically in the case of an electronic court reporter or similar recording personnel the testimony given before the grand jury, and it shall be lawful for the court reporter or electronic court reporter or similar recording personnel to attend such sittings for such purpose; provided, that the court reporter or electronic court reporter or similar recording personnel shall not be present during the deliberations of the grand jury or other proceedings, except during the taking of testimony. The court reporter or electronic court reporter or similar recording personnel shall, in all cases, before entering upon such duties, be first sworn by the clerk of the court to secrecy. He or she shall transcribe such testimony as the attorney-general may direct, and all such transcripts or recordings shall be delivered forthwith to the attorney-general.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-6-4 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-6 / Section 8-6-4
§ 8-6-4. Rules of criminal procedure.
Status: repealed

The rules of criminal procedure of the superior court and the district court, which are to go into effect on September 1, 1972, shall govern practice and procedure in criminal proceedings in those courts and before justices of the peace and bail commissioners and shall remain and continue in force and effect until revised, amended, repealed, or superseded by rules adopted in accordance with the authority granted to those courts.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-42.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-42.1
§ 8-10-42.1. Service after retirement.
Status: in_force

Any justice of the family court who shall resign in accordance with the provisions of § 8-3-9 may, at his or her own consent and on request of the chief judge of the court, be assigned to perform service as an associate justice thereof. When so assigned and performing such service, he or she shall have all the powers and authority of an associate justice of the family court, but otherwise he or she shall have no such powers nor be authorized to perform any judicial duties. Such a retired justice shall not be counted in the number of judges provided by law for the family court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-13-3 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-13 / Section 8-13-3
§ 8-13-3. Officers of council.
Status: in_force

The members of the council shall annually choose from their own membership a chairperson and a secretary.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-16 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-16
§ 8-9-16. Confirmation of prior acts and proceedings.
Status: in_force

When the validity of an act or proceeding of a probate court, or of a person acting as executor, administrator, or guardian, is called in question by reason of an alleged irregularity, defective notice, or want or improper exercise of authority, any party interested in or affected by the act or proceeding may apply to the probate court having jurisdiction of the subject matter in respect to which the act or proceeding has been had; and the court, after such notice as it may order to all parties interested, may hear and determine the matter and confirm the act or proceeding, in whole or in part, and may authorize and empower the executor, administrator, guardian, or any successor, or other person who may be legally appointed to act in the same capacity, to confirm the act or proceeding and to execute and deliver such deeds, releases, conveyances, and other instruments as may be found necessary for that purpose; but no act or proceeding shall be confirmed which the court might not have authorized in the first instance upon due proceedings.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-22 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-22
§ 8-8-22. Statutory references to earlier courts.
Status: in_force

Whenever in any statute reference is made to justice courts, trial justices or clerks of the justice courts of the different cities and towns, district courts, justices of district courts, and clerks of district courts, that statute shall be taken and construed to refer to the district court created by this chapter and its judges and clerks. Whenever in any statute reference is made to a particular predecessor court, that statute shall be taken and construed to refer to the division of the district court which embraces the territory of the predecessor court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-4-21 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-4 / Section 8-4-21
§ 8-4-21. General assistant clerks.
Status: in_force

The presiding justice of the superior court shall appoint four (4) general assistant clerks, who shall hold office until removed by the presiding justice. Each of the general assistant clerks may be designated by the presiding justice for service in assisting any of the clerks of the superior court for the several counties throughout the state. When so designated, that general assistant clerk shall aid the clerk of the county or counties where he or she shall be so designated and any act done by him or her, under direction of the clerk of the county, in the line of duty of the clerk, shall have the same force and effect as though done by the clerk; each general assistant clerk shall have the authority in any county to administer oaths to parties, witnesses, and others, as required in the conduct of the proceedings of the court. The general assistant clerks may be advanced to the rank of deputy clerk by appointment of the presiding justice of the superior court and may in their capacities as deputy clerks be designated by the presiding justice for service in assisting any of the clerks of the superior court for the several counties throughout the state and may discharge all of the duties which could be performed by the clerk of the superior court for any county.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-23.4 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-23.4
§ 8-10-23.4. North Providence juvenile hearing board.
Status: in_force

The town of North Providence shall use the authority to create a juvenile hearing board subject to the provisions of § 8-10-23.1, notwithstanding the requirements of the towns regulations, charter or ordinances.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-1-7 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-1 / Section 8-1-7
§ 8-1-7. Printing of reports.
Status: in_force

The reporter shall, as often as he or she has material for a printed volume of not less than six hundred (600) pages, notify the state purchasing agent, and the agent shall call for competitive bids for printing and binding the volume and shall award the contracts therefor to the lowest responsible bidder, who shall publish the material, with an index prepared by the reporter, in a bound volume to be known as the Rhode Island Reports.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-3.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-3.1
§ 8-8-3.1. Equitable powers as to housing matters.
Status: in_force

(a) In addition to the powers heretofore exercised, the district court and any court created by municipal ordinance pursuant to § 8-8-3(a)(4) is hereby empowered, in furtherance of its jurisdiction under § 8-8-3(a)(4), to grant such orders, including temporary restraining orders, and preliminary and permanent injunctions as justice and equity may require.

(b) Any court created by municipal ordinance pursuant to § 8-8-3(a)(4) is hereby empowered in furtherance of its jurisdiction to order a building into receivership pursuant to the provisions of chapter 44 of title 34 (abandoned property).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-4-2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-4 / Section 8-4-2
§ 8-4-2. Appointment and term of supreme court clerk.
Status: in_force

In the month of April and every five (5) years thereafter, the chief justice of the supreme court with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint a clerk of the supreme court. The person so appointed shall hold office until the first day of May in the fifth year next after his or her appointment and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-11-2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-11 / Section 8-11-2
§ 8-11-2. Number of sessions on motion days.
Status: in_force

The superior court shall hold so many sessions upon motion days as may be necessary for the purpose of hearing motions for new trial and other motions and for hearing interlocutory matters in equity.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-17-1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-17 / Section 8-17-1
§ 8-17-1. Retired justice program.
Status: in_force

There is hereby authorized and established a program of litigating civil trials, including domestic relations matters, whereby the litigants, by agreement, may retain the services of any retired justice of the supreme court or superior court or retired judge of the family court or district court to hear the merits of the issues before the court, all without a jury. Such trials shall be conducted in private, the cost of the proceedings shall be borne by the parties, and any judgments issued thereunder shall have the same effect as judgments of a court of competent jurisdiction and may be appealed to the supreme court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-11-1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-11 / Section 8-11-1
§ 8-11-1. Assignment or motion day falling on holiday.
Status: in_force

If any assignment day or any motion day occurs on a legal holiday, the assignment day or motion day shall be the following week day.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-4-10 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-4 / Section 8-4-10
§ 8-4-10. Indexing of judgment records.
Status: in_force

The superior court clerks shall make or cause to be made two (2) indexes to every current book and electronic storage system or other data compilation system of records of judgments in their offices, one, an alphabetical index of the names of all the plaintiffs, complainants, or petitioners, giving also the names of the defendants or respondents, in each case; and the other, an alphabetical index of the names of all the defendants or respondents, giving also the names of the plaintiffs, complainants, or petitioners, in each case.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-33 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-33
§ 8-2-33. Territorial extent of powers of justices.
Status: in_force

Any justice of the superior court may order special service of any process, original or auxiliary, in any proceeding within the jurisdiction of the court, by personal notice, notice by mail, or publication in a newspaper within or without the state, for the purpose of dealing with any property, relation, or person within the state or otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the court, and may make orders, decrees, and judgments in one county in cases pending in any other county, which orders and decrees and judgments shall be transmitted to the clerk of the court for the other county.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-15-4.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-15 / Section 8-15-4.1
§ 8-15-4.1. Deposit of proceeds.
Status: in_force

The state court administrator may receive the proceeds of any contract entered into by him or her for the sale, lease, or transfer of any computer hardware, software, or related services produced, maintained, or developed by the administrative office of state courts. Such proceeds shall be deposited as general revenues.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-5 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-5
§ 8-8-5. Contempt of court.
Status: in_force

The district court may punish any contempt of its authority by fine or imprisonment or both.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-5-1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-5 / Section 8-5-1
§ 8-5-1. Supreme court secretary and assistant.
Status: in_force

The supreme court may appoint a secretary and an assistant secretary, each of whom shall hold office during its pleasure and shall perform such duties as may be required by the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-19-2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-19 / Section 8-19-2
§ 8-19-2. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter:

(1) A limited-English-proficient person means any person whose primary language is not English and who does not have the ability to adequately understand or communicate effectively in English.

(2) A qualified interpreter is a person who is able to interpret simultaneously and consecutively and sight translate from English into a foreign language and from said language into English but who is not certified pursuant to this chapter.

(3) A certified interpreter is one who is able to interpret simultaneously and consecutively and sight translate from English to the language of the person needing an interpreter, and from said language to English, and who has been certified pursuant to the provision of § 8-19-5.

(4) Legal proceedings means any proceeding in the Rhode Island state court system.

(5) Appointing authority means the judicial officer presiding at a legal proceeding.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-16-4.2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-16 / Section 8-16-4.2
§ 8-16-4.2. Discovery.
Status: in_force

After the commission institutes formal proceedings and schedules a public hearing, the commission and the judge shall be entitled to conduct discovery in the same manner as litigants in civil cases in the superior court, and the superior court rules of civil procedure shall govern all such discovery. Except as provided in § 8-16-13, all discovery proceedings and all materials obtained by either side through discovery shall be kept confidential. Any disputes concerning discovery shall be heard on motion before the presiding justice of the superior court; provided, however, that if the presiding justice is the subject of the commission proceeding in question, then such motions shall be heard before the senior associate justice of the superior court. All papers filed with and proceedings before the superior court pursuant to this section shall be confidential.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-19-7 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-19 / Section 8-19-7
§ 8-19-7. Confidential communications.
Status: in_force

No interpreter/translator appointed pursuant to this chapter to interpret or translate for limited-English-proficient persons in proceedings before the state courts in Rhode Island shall be called upon to testify concerning any statement(s) and/or confidential communications made to them in connection with any interpretation or translation, properly entrusted to the translator in their professional capacity, without the consent of the person making the statement or unless compelled by court order.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-18-3_8-18-3 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-18 / Section 8-18-3_8-18-3
§ 8-18-3. Jurisdiction for certain violations. [Effective until January 15, 2027.]8-18-3. Jurisdiction for certain violations. [Effective January 15, 2027.]
Status: in_force

(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, jurisdiction over the adjudication of matters relating to violations enumerated in the following sections of the general laws is hereby conferred upon the municipal courts and the traffic tribunal:

(b) Except as provided in §§ 8-18-9, 8-18-10, and 31-41.1-11 jurisdiction over violations enumerated in subsection (a) shall be exercised as follows:

(1) By the traffic tribunal over all violations for which the summons is issued by a state agency;

(2) By the traffic tribunal over all violations for which the summons is issued by a city or town which has not established a municipal court; and

(3) By the municipal court over all violations for which the summons is issued by a city or town which has established a municipal court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-24 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-24
§ 8-10-24. Sessions, motions, assignments, etc.
Status: in_force

The provisions of chapter 7 of this title, relating to the superior court, shall apply to the family court, except as the family court may otherwise by rule provide.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-19-4 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-19 / Section 8-19-4
§ 8-19-4. Compensation of interpreters.
Status: in_force

Interpreters appointed pursuant to this chapter shall be paid by the state in accordance with a fee schedule that shall be established by the supreme court. The state court administrator is hereby empowered to establish policies and procedures governing the appointment, service, and payment of interpreters appointed under this chapter and is further empowered to enter into service contracts with certified and qualified interpreters.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-7-3 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-7 / Section 8-7-3
§ 8-7-3. Superior court motion days.
Status: in_force

The superior court shall be in session for the purpose of hearing motions in the various counties during the calendar year at such times and places as the presiding justice shall fix and determine.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-18 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-18
§ 8-9-18. Judicial aid in taking possession of property of estates.
Status: in_force

If any person has or is suspected of having under his or her control any property or documents belonging to the estate of a deceased person or person under guardianship, or any thing which may tend to disclose the condition of the estate, and on demand therefor by the executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, or custodian refuses to deliver them to him or her without legal justification for the refusal; or if the person claims to have a lien thereon and refuses to disclose the amount and particulars of his or her claim; or if any person is suspected of having concealed, embezzled, or conveyed away any of the personal estate of the deceased person or ward, the probate court may, upon the written application of the executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, or custodian or any other party in interest, cite the person to appear before the court, and may examine him or her on oath concerning the matters complained of; and if he or she refuses to appear or to answer the interrogatories put to him or her by the court, it may adjudge him or her in contempt and may commit him or her therefor to the adult correctional institutions until he or she shall submit to the order of the court or be legally discharged. The person so examined shall not be excused from answering any question on the ground that his or her answer will tend to criminate him or her, but his or her answer shall not be used as evidence against him or her in any criminal prosecution except for perjury.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-6-1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-6 / Section 8-6-1
§ 8-6-1. Judgments, decrees, and orders  Writs and process  Punishment of contempt.
Status: in_force

The supreme and superior courts shall have power to enter such judgments, decrees, and orders, and to frame and issue such citations, executions, and other writs and processes, as may be necessary or proper to carry into full effect all the powers and jurisdiction which are or shall be conferred upon them respectively by the constitution or by law. They shall have power to punish, by fine or imprisonment, or both, all contempts of their authority.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-11 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-11
§ 8-9-11. Power to take probate and grant administration of decedents estates.
Status: in_force

The probate court of any town or city shall take the probate of wills and grant administration on the estate of deceased persons who, at the time of their decease, were inhabitants of or residents in the town or city, and of other persons, not having any residence in this state, who die leaving rights, credits, or estates, real or personal, within the town or city; provided, that the first probate of the will, and the first grant of administration on the estate, of any deceased person who, at the time of his decease, was not an inhabitant of or resident within this state, shall bar any other probate or grant of administration, although the deceased person may have left rights, credits, or estates, real or personal, in any other town or city in this state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-31 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-31
§ 8-2-31. Order for change of venue.
Status: in_force

If, upon hearing the petition and the evidence thereon, the court shall be of opinion that a full, fair, and impartial trial cannot be had in the court for the county where the cause shall have been commenced or is pending, the court shall make an order of removal, directing the clerk of the court where the cause is pending to transmit the record thereof to the clerk of the court for the county named in the order of removal, to which county the cause shall be removed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-3 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-3
§ 8-8-3. Jurisdiction.
Status: in_force

(a) The district court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction of:

(1) All civil actions at law, but not causes in equity or those following the course of equity except as provided in § 8-8-3.1 and chapter 8.1 of this title, wherein the amount in controversy does not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000);

(2) All actions between landlords and tenants pursuant to chapter 18 of title 34 and all other actions for possession of premises and estates notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (c) of this section;

(3) All actions of replevin where the goods and chattels to be replevied are of the value of five thousand dollars ($5,000) or less;

(4) All violations of minimum housing standards whether established by chapter 24.3 of title 45 or by any municipal ordinance, rule, or regulation passed pursuant to the authority granted either by chapter 24.2 of title 45 or by special act of the general assembly governing minimum housing standards; except that in the event the city of Providence or town of North Providence shall by ordinance create a court for the purpose of exercising jurisdiction over violations of minimum housing standards, Providence Municipal Zoning Code and the Rhode Island State Building Code, chapter 27.3 of title 23, concerning properties which are not owned by the state, upon enactment of the ordinance, that court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction of violations of the above listed codes and standards as defined herein occurring within the city of Providence or the town of North Providence, and the district court shall be without jurisdiction over those actions;

(5) All suits and complaints for offenses against the bylaws, ordinances, and regulations of cities and towns whether passed by the cities or towns or under the law by the properly constituted authorities thereof;

(6) All other actions, proceedings, and matters of whatever nature which are or shall be declared to be within the jurisdiction of the court by the laws of the state.

(b) The district court shall also have any special jurisdiction which is or may be conferred by charter or law upon justices of the peace if no special court exists or is created by charter or law for that purpose.

(c) The district court shall have concurrent original jurisdiction with the superior court of all civil actions at law wherein the amount in controversy exceeds the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) and does not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000); provided, however, that in any such action, any one or more defendants may in the answer to the complaint demand removal of the action to the superior court, in which event the action shall proceed as if it had been filed originally in the superior court.

(d) The district court shall have special jurisdiction to grant relief as set forth under § 15-15-4(b)(1).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-4-9 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-4 / Section 8-4-9
§ 8-4-9. Duty to recite pleadings in record of judgment.
Status: in_force

The superior court clerks shall, in the record of every judgment, recite the substance of the pleadings in the cause, except that the court may by general rule, general order, or special order direct in what manner and to what extent, if any, the pleadings in any or all causes which are entered in either of the courts shall be extended upon the records; and whenever, by accident, neglect, or otherwise, except by order of the court, any clerk shall have failed to record the proceedings of the court of which he or she is clerk, in any cause pending before it, the court may direct the acting clerk to record the proceedings, upon such evidence as may be satisfactory to it, giving notice to the parties interested, or their attorneys, whenever from the circumstances of the case the court may deem proper.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-10 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-10
§ 8-10-10. Family court registry.
Status: in_force

Within the family court there shall be a registry, to be administered by the clerk of the court, which shall receive and disburse all payments made payable to the registry by direction of the court or by voluntary payment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-33 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-33
§ 8-8-33. Severability.
Status: in_force

The holding of any section or sections or parts of this chapter to be void, ineffective, or unconstitutional for any cause shall not be deemed to affect any other section or part hereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-31 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-31
§ 8-10-31. Appointment of deputies.
Status: in_force

The clerk of the family court, with the approval of the chief judge of the court, may appoint one or more deputy clerks who, being sworn, may discharge all the duties of the clerk until removed by the clerk or the court. The clerk shall fix the compensation of his or her deputies within the amount appropriated therefor and shall be liable for his or her misconduct or neglect of duty.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-29 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-29
§ 8-10-29. Report of divorce proceedings to director of health.
Status: in_force

The clerk of the family court shall make returns to the director of health, on or before the first day of March in each and every year, for the year ending on the thirty-first day of December preceding, of all the applications for divorce, showing the number of applications, the number thereof continued, the number granted, and the causes for which they are granted, but without the names of the parties, in accordance with the blanks which shall be furnished him or her by the director of health.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-5-3 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-5 / Section 8-5-3
§ 8-5-3. Appointment of superior court reporters and electronic court reporters.
Status: in_force

(a) The justices of the superior court, or a majority of them, shall appoint competent shorthand writers or stenotypists, known as court reporters, for regular service in the superior court, and one or more such persons for occasional service therein in the absence of other appointees, who shall be known as court reporters. They shall serve during the pleasure of the court and where designated by the presiding justice; provided, that when any justice of the court has retired from active service, and with his or her own consent on request of the presiding justice of the court is assigned to perform service as an associate justice of the court, one of the court reporters or electronic court reporters defined in subsection (b), appointed for occasional service shall, during the time any such justice is so assigned and performing service, be appointed for regular service in the court, and when performing such regular service, shall receive the same compensation authorized to be paid to court reporters or electronic court reporters appointed for regular service.

(b) The presiding justice shall have sole discretion to employ and assign persons to record court proceedings by electronic means as in his or her judgment may be necessary for the conduct of the business of the superior court. Such persons employed and assigned by the presiding justice shall be known as electronic court reporters.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-3-4 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-3 / Section 8-3-4
§ 8-3-4. Vacancy in office, inability, or absence of presiding justice of superior court.
Status: in_force

Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of presiding justice of the superior court, or whenever the presiding justice shall be unable by reason of illness to perform the duties of his office, the associate justice of the superior court having precedence who is present and qualified to act shall perform the duties of the office until the vacancy shall be filled or the inability removed. In the event that the presiding justice determines that his or her absence will prevent him or her from performing the duties of his or her office, he or she shall designate an associate justice to perform the duties during the period of his or her absence.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-30 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-30
§ 8-10-30. Appointment of clerk pro tempore.
Status: in_force

In case of the death, resignation, absence, inability, or refusal to serve of the clerk, the chief judge of the family court may appoint a clerk pro tempore who shall hold his or her office until the clerk shall have returned or the inability shall have been removed or another clerk shall have been appointed to fill the vacancy and shall have qualified. The clerk so appointed shall be sworn and give bond before he or she enters upon his or her duties and shall, during the term of service, be entitled to the compensation of the office.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-23 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-23
§ 8-9-23. Missing person  Presumption of death.
Status: in_force

If a resident of this state has disappeared and has been absent from his or her usual place of residence and his or her whereabouts has been unknown for more than four (4) years, it shall be prima facie evidence that the person is dead so as to allow for the administration of his or her estate.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-16-6.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-16 / Section 8-16-6.1
§ 8-16-6.1. Suspension of judge pending review.
Status: in_force

Whenever the supreme court reviews a commission recommendation for the suspension, immediate temporary suspension, removal, or retirement of a judge other than a justice of the supreme court, the commission may, in its discretion, order the suspension of the judge pending the completion of the review. The suspension shall be without loss of compensation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-24 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-24
§ 8-8-24. Tax proceedings to be without jury and de novo  Precedence on calendar.
Status: in_force

Each appeal of a final decision of the tax administrator concerning an assessment, deficiency, or otherwise shall be an original, independent proceeding in the nature of a suit in equity to set aside the final decision and shall be tried de novo and without a jury. Every such matter shall have precedence over all other civil cases on the calendar on the date to which it is assigned for trial and shall continue to have precedence on the calendar on a day-to-day basis until it is heard.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-35 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-35
§ 8-2-35. Arraignment of persons presented  Warrants on indictments or information.
Status: in_force

The superior court may arraign all persons presented by a grand jury or charged by information filed by the attorney general, and may require such persons to plead to the indictment against them, if in custody, or if taken while the court is in session; and if not in custody, or taken while the court is in session, may issue warrants on the indictment or information.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-15-9 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-15 / Section 8-15-9
§ 8-15-9. Supervision of court imposed and court related costs, fines, restitution, and other payments, deposits, and receipts.
Status: in_force

Within the administrative office of the state courts there shall be a finance section. The director of the finance section shall be appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court, and approved by a majority vote of the advisory board. The director of the finance section shall monitor the handling, collection, receipt, and disbursement of all court imposed or court related fees, fines, costs, assessments, charges, and other monetary payments, deposits, and receipts, including, but not limited to, filing fees, court costs and fees, bail, fines, judgments, awards, restitution payments, registry of court accounts, restricted receipts accounts, child support and other support orders, and court stenographers accounts. The director shall be responsible for all bookkeeping and accounting of money collected or received by the clerks of the various state courts including, but not limited to, §§ 8-4-8, 8-8-16, 8-8-17, 8-8.2-3 and 8-10-10. The director shall formulate and publish a policy which shall standardize the procedures for the handling, collection, receipt, and disbursement of court imposed or court related monetary payments, deposits, and receipts. The court may require all persons who enter into a payment plan for the payment of court imposed or court related fees, fines, court costs, assessments, charges and/or any other monetary obligations to provide a valid social security number, valid drivers license number, and date of birth at the time they enter into said payment plan. Provided, however, social security numbers and drivers license numbers shall not be part of the public record and shall be used for collection purposes only.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-19 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-19
§ 8-9-19. Expense of commitment for failure to deliver property of estate.
Status: in_force

The probate court shall ascertain the expenses occasioned by commitment as provided in § 8-9-18, and the executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, or custodian of the estate shall pay the expenses; and if the party paying the expenses shall afterwards recover judgment against the person committed, for any property withheld by him or her belonging to the estate, those expenses, as ascertained by the probate court, shall be taxed as part of the costs of the suit; or if the person after being imprisoned shall, without suit, surrender any effects belonging to the estate withheld by him or her, the executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, or custodian may recover from him or her the amount of the expenses.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-15-1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-15 / Section 8-15-1
§ 8-15-1. Unified system.
Status: in_force

The supreme court, the superior court, the family court, the district court, the workers compensation court, and the traffic tribunal shall constitute a unified judicial system for purposes of administration.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-38 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-38
§ 8-2-38. Instructions to jury.
Status: in_force

In every case, civil and criminal, tried in the superior court with a jury, the justice presiding shall instruct the jury in the law relating to the action, and may sum up the evidence therein to the jury whenever he or she may deem it advisable so to do; but any material misstatement of the testimony by him or her may be excepted to by the party aggrieved.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-12 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-12
§ 8-8-12. Duties of chief judge.
Status: in_force

(a) The chief judge shall be the administrative head of the district court and shall be responsible for its operation and the efficient use of its manpower. To this end he or she shall:

(1) Hold court in any division when he or she deems it necessary;

(2) Assign judges to hold court in the various divisions;

(3) Designate the place or places for holding court in each division;

(4) Fix the time for holding court in each division and supervise the calendars;

(5) Report annually to the chief justice of the supreme court on the state of the business of the district court;

(6) Supervise the collection and publication of statistics pertaining to the court;

(7) Supervise the management of the records of the court;

(8) Determine the time of vacations to be taken by the district judges;

(9) Preside over the district court conference and designate the time and place that it shall be held;

(10) Promulgate rules and regulations relating to:

(i) The licensing of constables to serve certain district court civil process; and

(ii) The duties and conduct of licensed constables.

(b) The chief judge of the district court may designate an associate judge of the district court as administrative judge of the district court. The administrative judge may exercise such administrative authority as may be delegated to him or her by the chief judge. The administrative judge shall receive an increase in compensation which shall be set pursuant to § 8-15-4.

(c) The chief judge of the district court shall appoint sufficient court recorders to enable all proceedings to be recorded by electronic means and who shall assist in such other clerical duties subject to the labor laws of this state and applicable collective bargaining agreement as may be prescribed from time to time by the chief judge of the district court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-2
§ 8-10-2. Purpose of chapter.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be liberally construed to the end that families whose unity or well-being is threatened shall be assisted and protected, and restored, if possible, as secure units of law-abiding members; that each child coming within the jurisdiction of the family court shall receive the care, guidance and control which will conduce to his or her welfare and the best interests of the state; and that when a child is removed from the control of his or her parents, the family court shall secure for him or her care as nearly as possible equivalent to that which his or her parents should have given him or her.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-6 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-6
§ 8-9-6. Town or city clerk as clerk of court.
Status: in_force

The town or city clerk of each town and city, unless special provision is made by law or charter to the contrary, shall be the clerk of the probate court of the town or city.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-16-6 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-16 / Section 8-16-6
§ 8-16-6. Review of commissions recommendations by supreme court.
Status: in_force

(a) The supreme court may on its own motion and shall upon petition of a judge who has been adversely affected by a recommendation of the commission review the record of the commissions proceedings on the law and on the facts and may, for the purposes of the review, permit the introduction of additional evidence and shall have the power to subpoena witnesses and administer oaths. The supreme court may, upon review of a recommendation of censure, suspension, immediate temporary suspension, reprimand, retirement, or removal, affirm, modify, or reject the recommendation of the commission.

(b) A petition to the supreme court to modify or reject the recommendation of the commission for reprimand, censure, suspension, immediate temporary suspension, removal, or retirement of a judge shall be filed with the chief justice of the supreme court and the chairperson of the commission within twenty (20) days after the filing of a certified copy of the recommendation of the commission. The petition shall be verified, shall specify the grounds relied upon, and shall be accompanied by a brief. Within twenty (20) days of the filing of the petition, the commission may file a respondents brief with the chief justice of the supreme court and the petitioner within ten (10) days after service of respondents brief, the petitioner may file a reply brief, of which one copy shall be served on the commission. Petitions and briefs filed pursuant to this section shall be public documents.

(c) The supreme court may hold such hearings as it deems necessary when reviewing recommendations of the commission, and where the review is conducted pursuant to a petition therefor, its decision shall be rendered not later than ninety (90) days after the filing of that petition. Hearings before the supreme court pursuant to this section shall be open to the public, and the courts decision shall be public and shall be published in the same manner as other decisions of the supreme court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-11-4 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-11 / Section 8-11-4
§ 8-11-4. Docketing and calling of motions  Calendar.
Status: in_force

All motions shall be docketed as filed, and shall be called in the order of filing, and, if not disposed of on motion day, shall be continued. A calendar shall be made up for each motion day.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-23.5 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-23.5
§ 8-10-23.5. Smithfield juvenile hearing board.
Status: in_force

The town of Smithfield shall have the authority to create a juvenile hearing board subject to the provisions of § 8-10-23.1, notwithstanding the requirements of the towns regulations, charter, or ordinances.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-15-11 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-15 / Section 8-15-11
§ 8-15-11. Electronic filing and online payments.
Status: in_force

(a) In addition to any other filing fees or court costs required by law or court rule, parties to any court matter may be required to pay a technology surcharge or fee not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) at the inception or the conclusion of any case, or upon making any electronic payment online to any of the courts within the unified judicial system. Such surcharges or fees shall be determined by the state court administrator with the approval of the chief justice.

(b) The collection of technology surcharges shall be monitored and supervised by the judiciarys director of finance and shall be deposited into a restricted receipt account designated as Rhode Island judiciary technology surcharge account, the proceeds of which shall be solely for use by the judiciary in support of its technology infrastructure and case management system. On or before January 15, 2015, and annually thereafter on or before January 15, the judiciarys director of finance shall file a report with the governor, the speaker of the house, and the president of the senate detailing: (1) The total amount of funds collected and deposited into the judiciary technology surcharge account for the most recently completed fiscal year; (2) The fund balance as of the date of the report; (3) An itemization of all expenditures and other uses of said funds from said account for the most recently completed fiscal year; and (4) An annual evaluation as to the appropriateness of the amount of the technology surcharge or fee.

(c) The implementation of electronic court records shall not alter the application of § 38-2-5 to any judicial records, whether in paper or electronic format.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-26 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-26
§ 8-8-26. Prepayment as condition precedent to review of tax case.
Status: in_force

A taxpayers right to file a complaint pursuant to § 8-8-25 for review of a final decision of the tax administrator ordering an assessment, deficiency, or otherwise shall be conditional upon prepayment of all taxes, interest, and penalties set forth in the assessment, deficiency, or otherwise; provided, however, that in lieu of the prepayment, the taxpayer may file together with his or her complaint a motion for an exemption from the prepayment requirement. The taxpayer shall set the motion down for hearing within twenty (20) days after the answer to the complaint is filed; otherwise, the motion shall be deemed to be denied. The court shall grant the motion if it determines both: (1) that the taxpayer has a reasonable probability of success on the merits; and (2) that the taxpayer is unable to prepay all taxes, interest, and penalties set forth in the assessment, deficiency, or otherwise. In making its determination on the issue of ability to prepay, the court shall consider not only the taxpayers own financial resources but also the ability of the taxpayer to borrow the required funds. If the motion is denied, the taxpayer shall make prepayment within thirty (30) days of the entry of the courts order denying the motion; otherwise, the complaint shall be dismissed upon motion of the tax administrator.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-5-9 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-5 / Section 8-5-9
§ 8-5-9. Right to stenographic record.
Status: in_force

(a) Where not already provided by law, any party to any legal action shall have the right to have a stenographer present provided that the party bears the expense of the stenographer, his or her transcription, and any other expenses incidental thereto. For purposes of this section the term legal action shall include all formal proceedings before any court or quasijudicial authority, all administrative hearings described in § 42-35-9, all zoning hearings, all district court trials, and all workers compensation formal proceedings.

(b) It shall be the duty of the party desiring the services of a stenographer to secure the presence of the stenographer, and there shall be no right to a continuance because of the unavailability of a stenographer.

(c) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to permit stenographers to attend grand jury proceedings as a matter of right.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-14.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-14.1
§ 8-10-14.1. Powers of justices of the peace.
Status: in_force

(a) The chief judge of the family court shall from time to time appoint, with power to revoke such appointments, from those qualified justices of the peace who shall be members of the bar of the state of Rhode Island as many such justices of the peace as he or she may deem necessary who shall be authorized to set and take bail in all complaints bailable before the family court except those offenses punishable by life imprisonment, and, if unable to post bail, to commit to the adult correctional institutions all respondents arrested on such complaints, and the chief judge shall authorize the justices of the peace so appointed by him or her to issue warrants and complaints returnable to the family court, for any offense for which by law a judge of the family court may issue a warrant and complaint, and all warrants so issued, and all warrants and complaints upon which bail is taken or commitments are made shall be forthwith returned to family court; provided, that the justices of the peace shall not in any case or for any purpose have the power to issue search warrants.

(b) In the event that session of family court is not held in any of the counties on the next weekday (Monday thru Friday) after appearance by a respondent before a justice of the peace, then the justice of the peace may schedule the arraignment of the respondent in the closest county (if in session on the next day following) or in Providence county as he or she shall be directed by the administrative orders of the chief judge of the family court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-1-3 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-1 / Section 8-1-3
§ 8-1-3. Written opinions.
Status: in_force

The supreme court shall render written opinions in all cases decided by it wherein points of law, pleading, or practice have arisen which are novel or of sufficient importance to warrant written opinions. A supreme court administrative assistant shall prepare and file with the clerk of the court the original paper copy and an electronic copy of each opinion or rescript; the clerk shall then distribute copies for the use of the reporter, and one for each of the parties involved in the cause in which the opinion or rescript is given not less than two (2) hours prior to the posting of the opinion on the supreme court website. Thereafter, the clerk shall post a copy of the opinion on the supreme court website.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-26 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-26
§ 8-2-26. Power of justice after retirement, resignation, or elevation.
Status: in_force

Whenever any justice of the superior court shall cease to be a justice thereof by reason of elevation to the supreme court, resignation, or retirement, he or she shall have the power to exercise the function of a justice of the superior court for the purpose of rendering a decision or completing any matter pending before him or her as justice of the superior court at the time of the elevation, resignation, or retirement. The provisions of this section shall be interpreted and construed liberally, for the purpose of accomplishing the purpose thereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-18-4 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-18 / Section 8-18-4
§ 8-18-4. Adjudication of summonses by municipal courts.
Status: in_force

(a) All summonses to be adjudicated by a municipal court shall be forwarded to the municipal court.

(b) Summonses to be adjudicated by a municipal court shall be adjudicated by a judge of the municipal court pursuant to § 31-41.1-6 and the rules established by the chief magistrate of the traffic tribunal subject to the approval of the supreme court pursuant to § 8-6-2. Municipal courts shall have jurisdiction over matters brought pursuant to § 31-41.1-7.

(c) If a motorist fails to appear to answer a summons before a municipal court, the municipal court may proceed pursuant to § 31-41.1-5 to enter a default judgment and determine whether the charges have been established. Where a determination is made that a charge has been established, an appropriate order shall be entered and the motorists license and registration privileges may be ordered by the municipal court to be suspended by the division of motor vehicles as provided by law.

(d) All summonses which have been adjudicated by the municipal court and entered into the data electronic system shall be returned to the traffic tribunal for storage as required by § 8-14-1.

(e) All municipal courts shall be courts of record, shall tape record all sessions, maintain dockets, and adjudicate all violations on the summonses and shall be responsible for data entry into an electronic data processing system of all citations heard and decided by said municipal courts pursuant to procedures and rules promulgated by the chief magistrate of the Rhode Island traffic tribunal subject to the approval of the supreme court pursuant to § 8-6-2.

(f) Municipal court judges may, in their discretion, order driver retraining courses in appropriate cases.

(g) A thirty-five dollar ($35.00) hearing fee shall be assessed by both municipal courts and the traffic tribunal against each person pleading guilty to or found guilty of a traffic offense or violation, as provided in the general laws. In no case shall any municipal court exercising jurisdiction pursuant to this chapter impose or assess any fees or costs except as expressly authorized by state law.

(h) If a payment for any fine assessed in the municipal court for any violation is attempted with a check written against insufficient funds, then an additional penalty not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) may be added to the amount due.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-4-3 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-4 / Section 8-4-3
§ 8-4-3. Vacancy in office of clerk.
Status: in_force

In case of a vacancy in the office of the clerk of the supreme court from any cause, the chief justice shall appoint some person to fill such vacancy for the balance of the unexpired term and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-3-14 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-3 / Section 8-3-14
§ 8-3-14. Applicability of §§ 8-3-12  8-3-14.
Status: in_force

Sections 8-3-12  8-3-14 shall be applicable to all justices of the supreme court whose retirement, resignation, or death occurred subsequent to January 1, 1963, and prior to May 10, 1974, and the surviving spouses of such justices so long as they remain unmarried. Any surviving spouses of justices eligible for benefits pursuant to this section shall receive benefits hereunder from the time of application therefor, and until their death or remarriage, and such benefits shall not be paid for any time between the death or resignation of such justice and May 10, 1974.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-6 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-6
§ 8-10-6. Notice to department of human services.
Status: in_force

The clerk of the family court shall notify the director of the department of human services of the names and addresses, if known to him or her, of the parties to any proceeding in the court, so that the director, if the parties or any of them are recipients of public assistance, shall make known the interest of his or her department in the proceedings and shall enter an appearance.