R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-14-1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-14 / Section 8-14-1
§ 8-14-1. Management, storage, and disposition of state court records.
Status: in_force

There shall be created a committee within the state court system with responsibility for the management, storage, and disposition of all state court records, including inactive records. The committee shall be composed of the following members: the chief justice of the supreme court or his or her designee, the presiding justice of the superior court or his or her designee, the chief judge of the family court or his or her designee, the chief judge of the district court or his or her designee, the chief judge of the workers compensation court or his or her designee, the chief magistrate of the traffic tribunal or his or her designee, one clerk from each of the respective state courts as designated by the chief or presiding justice or chief judge of each state court, and the head of the state court record center or his or her designee. The committee shall meet as required to revise the state courts records retention policy or at the request of the state court administrator.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-5-8.2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-5 / Section 8-5-8.2
§ 8-5-8.2. Privileged communications.
Status: in_force

In the trial of every cause, both civil and criminal, no interpreter/transliterator for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind shall be competent to testify concerning any statement made to him or her in connection with the interpreters or transliterators interpretation or transliteration for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind, without the consent of the person making the statement. No duly licensed interpreter/transliterator for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind shall be allowed, in giving testimony to disclose any confidential communication, properly entrusted to him or her in his or her professional capacity, and necessary and proper to enable him or her to discharge the functions of his or her office in the usual course of practice or discipline, without the consent of the person making the communication.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-3-7 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-3 / Section 8-3-7
§ 8-3-7. Retirement of justices on reduced pay  Assignment as associate justices.
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever any person engaged as a judge:

(1) On or before July 2, 1997 has served as a justice of the supreme court, the superior court, the family court, the district court, or any combination thereof for twenty (20) years, or has so served for ten (10) years and has reached the age of sixty-five (65) years, that justice may retire from active service and thereafter the justice shall receive annually during life a sum equal to three-fourths (Â¾) of the annual salary that the justice was receiving at the time of retirement;

(2) Subsequent to July 2, 1997 and prior to January 1, 2009, has served as a justice of the supreme court, the superior court, the family court, the district court or any combination thereof, for twenty (20) years, or has so served for ten (10) years and has reached the age of sixty-five (65) years, said justice may retire from active service and thereafter said justice shall receive annually during life a sum equal to three-fourths (Â¾) of his or her average highest three (3) consecutive years of compensation;

(3) On or after January 1, 2009, has served as a justice of the supreme court, the superior court, the family court, the district court or any combination thereof, for twenty (20) years, or has so served for ten (10) years and has reached the age of sixty-five (65) years, said justice may retire from active service and thereafter said justice shall receive annually during life a sum equal to seventy percent (70%) of his or her average highest three (3) consecutive years of compensation.

(4) On or after July 1, 2009, shall have served as a justice of the supreme court, the superior court, the family court, the district court, or any of them for twenty (20) years, or has served for ten (10) years, and reached the age of sixty-five (65) years, said justice may retire from regular active service and thereafter said justice shall receive annually during his or her life a sum equal to sixty-five percent (65%) of his or her average highest five (5) consecutive years of compensation.

(b) Whenever a justice or magistrate shall be granted a leave of absence without pay, such absence shall not be credited towards active service time for the purposes of retirement.

(c) Any justice in any of the courts who shall retire in accordance with the provisions of this section or § 36-9-5 may, 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 an associate justice of the superior court, or the family court, or the district court as the presiding justice of the superior court, or the chief judge of the family court, or the district shall prescribe. When so assigned and performing such service, the justice shall have all the powers and authority of an associate justice of the superior court, the family court, or the district court but otherwise shall have no 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 superior court, the family court, or the district court.

(d) Any justice of the supreme court who shall retire in accordance with the provisions of this section shall 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 an associate justice of the supreme court as the chief justice of the supreme court shall prescribe. When so assigned and performing such services, the retiree shall have all the powers and authority of an associate justice of the supreme court, but otherwise he or she shall have no powers nor be authorized to perform any judicial duties relating to the supreme court, except as authorized under § 8-1-1. Such a retired justice shall not be counted in the number of justices provided by law for the supreme court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-12 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-12
§ 8-2-12. Seal of superior court.
Status: in_force

The superior court shall have a seal in each of the counties of Providence, Newport, Kent, and Washington, which shall contain the words SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, with the name of the county in which the seal belongs, and also such device as the justices of the court, or a majority of them, shall adopt.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-14 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-14
§ 8-9-14. Revocation or modification of orders or decrees.
Status: in_force

Any probate court may modify or revoke any order or decree made by it on an uncontested application before appeal therefrom, or, if no appeal is taken, before the time for taking an appeal has expired, and, if made in reference to the settlement of any estate, also before the final settlement thereof, upon the written application of any person interested therein, and after notice of the time and place of hearing thereon appointed by the court, given in the manner prescribed by it, to the person having charge of the estate and to all other interested parties; and upon any modification or revocation, there shall be the same right of and time for appeal as in case of any other order or decree.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-34 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-34
§ 8-10-34. Court secretary and assistant.
Status: in_force

The justices of the family court, or a majority of them, may appoint a secretary and an assistant secretary who shall hold office during the pleasure of the court and shall perform such duties as may be required by the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-20 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-20
§ 8-9-20. Right to counsel of person suspected of withholding property.
Status: in_force

Upon the examination as provided in § 8-9-18, the person suspected may have counsel, who may examine and cross-examine him or her as to any matter deemed material arising in the course of the investigation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-8.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-8.1
§ 8-8-8.1. Administrator/clerk  Magistrate.
Status: in_force

(a) Administrator/clerk. There shall be a district court administrator/clerk who shall be appointed by the chief judge in his or her capacity as administrative head of the court, and who shall hold office at the pleasure of the administrative judge. The administrator/clerk shall perform such duties and attend to such matters as may be assigned to the administrator/clerk by the administrative judge, other than those duties assigned to the chief clerk in § 8-8-19. Said duties may be assigned by the chief judge.

(b) Magistrate. Any person holding the position of district court administrator/clerk who is a member of the bar of Rhode Island may be appointed district court magistrate by the chief judge in his or her capacity as administrative head of the court, subject to the advice and consent of the senate. The district court magistrate shall hold said office for a term of ten (10) years and until a successor is appointed and qualified; and the magistrate shall retain whatever right he or she may have to the position of district court administrator/clerk pursuant to this section. Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit the appointment of the magistrate for more than one term, subject to the advice and consent of the senate. Any person holding office of district court magistrate on July 1, 1999, may continue in full authority in said position until such time as an appointment is made and the nominee qualified pursuant to this subsection.

(c) The district court magistrate shall have the power to hear and determine such matters as may be assigned to the district court magistrate by the chief judge all to the same effect as if done by a judge of the district court, including, but not limited to:

(1) Matters relating to 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;

(2) Arraignments and pretrial motions in misdemeanor, petty misdemeanor, violation, and ordinance cases and initial appearances and probable cause hearings in felony cases;

(3) Bail hearings pursuant to R.I. Const., Art. I, Sec. IX and all other bail matters pursuant to chapter 13 of title 12 and the rules of criminal procedure, including, but not limited to, motions to modify bail, bail revocation hearings, bail forfeiture hearings, and bail source hearings;

(4) All matters relating to fugitives from justice pursuant to chapter 9 of title 12;

(5) Probation revocation hearings;

(6) All matters relating to small claims and consumer claims pursuant to chapter 16 of title 10, including any pretrial motions including motions relating to the special service of process, the entry of defaults and default judgments, the trial of such cases and the entry of judgment after such trials, and all matters relating to the enforcement of such judgments, including, but not limited to, the ordering of installment payments and trustee process; and

(7) Complaints for judicial review of the decision of an administrative agency pursuant to chapter 35 of title 42 by making proposed findings of fact and recommendations for the disposition of the complaints to a judge of the court. Any party may object to any portion of the magistrates proposed findings and recommendations within ten (10) days after receipt of a copy thereof. That party shall file with the clerk of the sixth division of the district court and serve on all parties written objections that shall specifically identify the portions of the proposed findings and recommendations to which objection is made and the basis for the objection. A judge shall make a de novo determination of those portions to which objection is made and may accept, reject, or modify, in whole or in part, the findings or recommendations made by the magistrate. Absent a timely objection filed in accordance with this subdivision, the proposed prevailing party shall, upon expiration of the ten (10) days following the service of the magistrates proposed findings and recommendations, submit a proposed order for signature of the judge to whom the case has been assigned.

(d) The magistrate may be authorized:

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

(2) To do all acts 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 fined or to order him or her imprisoned for not more than seventy-two (72) hours, pending review by a judge 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 or other contempt of his or her authority;

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

(8) To issue a capias and/or body attachment for the failure of a party or witness to appear after having been properly served or given notice by the court and, should the 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 court;

(9) To issue writs of habeas corpus to bring before him or her or a judge of the court any person in jail or in prison to be examined as a witness in a suit or proceeding, civil or criminal, pending before the court, or whose presence is necessary as a party or otherwise necessary so that the ends of justice may be attained, and for no other purpose; and

(10) To issue warrants of arrest and search warrants to the same extent as an associate judge of the court.

(e) Except as otherwise indicated, a party aggrieved by an order entered by the district court magistrate shall be entitled to a review of the order, whether by appeal or otherwise, by a judge of the court. The court shall, by rules of procedure, establish procedures for review of contempt and adjudications of the magistrate.

(f) The magistrate shall be:

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

(2) Subject to all provisions of the canons of judicial ethics;

(3) Subject to all criminal laws relative to judges by virtue of §§ 11-7-1 and 11-7-2.

(g) Any district court magistrate who has been engaged for a period of twenty (20) years and has reached the age of sixty (60) years, may 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 a magistrate of the district court as the chief judge of the district court shall prescribe. When so assigned and performing such service, the district court clerk/magistrate shall have all the powers and authority of a magistrate of the district court but otherwise shall have no powers nor be authorized to perform any judicial duties. Such a retired district court magistrate shall not be counted in the number of magistrates provided by law for the district court.

(h) The provisions of this section shall be afforded liberal construction.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-33 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-33
§ 8-10-33. Powers of assistant clerks of family court.
Status: in_force

Each of the assistant clerks of the family court shall aid his or her principal in the discharge of his or her duties, and any act done by him or her, under direction of the clerk, in the line of duty of the clerk shall have the same force and effect as though done by the clerk; he or she shall have authority to administer oaths to parties, witnesses, and others as required in the conduct of the proceedings of the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-16-3 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-16 / Section 8-16-3
§ 8-16-3. Meetings of the commission  Compensation.
Status: in_force

(a) The commission shall meet at such times and places as are necessary to discharge the duties made incumbent upon it under the provisions of this chapter. It shall meet at least once a year in the month of May and shall make an annual report of expenditures to the governor. Nine (9) members shall constitute a quorum of the commission and determinations shall be made by a majority vote of those present, except that recommendations to the supreme court shall be made by an affirmative vote of at least nine (9) members of the commission.

(b) All commissioners shall serve without compensation; provided, however, that while away from their homes or regular places of employment and engaged in carrying out their duties as members of the commission, they shall be allowed travel expenses, including meals and lodging, that are authorized by law for persons in the service of this state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-22 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-22
§ 8-9-22. Presumption of death from sea disaster.
Status: in_force

If a person shall be lost in a sea disaster, the subject of which has been investigated by the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, or a similar agency in a foreign country, and after due and diligent search there was a finding by the Navy, Coast Guard, or similar agency that the person was lost in a sea disaster which finding is supported by testimony given by an eyewitness to the disaster, then any heir of the person may, after six (6) months of the date of the finding by the Navy, Coast Guard, or similar agency, produce the finding in the appropriate probate court and it shall be deemed prima facie evidence of the death of the person so as to allow for administration of his estate. Should more than one person be lost in the sea disaster, the Navy or Coast Guard or similar agencys finding shall be prima facie evidence of death even if not supported by eyewitness testimony.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-15-7 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-15 / Section 8-15-7
§ 8-15-7. Annual report of the judiciary.
Status: in_force

Under the direction of the chief justice, the court administrator appointed pursuant to § 8-15-4 shall prepare annually a report to the legislature, which report shall contain appropriate statistics bearing on the condition of the dockets of state courts and such other information as may reflect the administration of the state court system. This information shall be furnished on forms provided by the state court administrator.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-16 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-16
§ 8-10-16. Quarters.
Status: in_force

The director of administration shall provide the family court with proper quarters and facilities necessary for the performance of the duties of the court. He or she shall also provide the clerk of said court with adequate quarters and facilities necessary for the performance of his or her duties.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-38.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-38.1
§ 8-10-38.1. Imprisonment for contempt.
Status: in_force

The justices of the family court or its magistrate(s) are hereby empowered, when ordering a noncomplying parent to the adult correctional institution or the womens reformatory for contempt, to order immediate work release status for him or her.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-2
§ 8-8-2. Divisions.
Status: in_force

(a) For the distribution of court business, the state is divided into four (4) divisions as follows:

(1) Second division. The second division consists of the city of Newport and the towns of Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Portsmouth, and Tiverton. Appeals and transfers in cases arising in the enumerated cities and towns of the second division shall be transmitted by the clerk of the Second Division District Court to the clerk of the Newport County Superior Court.

(2) Third division. The third division consists of the city of Warwick and the city of Cranston and the towns of Coventry, East Greenwich, Foster, Glocester, Johnston, Lincoln, North Kingstown, North Providence, North Smithfield, Scituate, Smithfield, West Greenwich and West Warwick. Appeals and transfers in cases arising in the enumerated cities and towns of the third division shall be transmitted by the clerk of the Third Division District Court to the clerk of the Kent County Superior Court.

(3) Fourth division. The fourth division consists of the towns of Charlestown, Exeter, Hopkinton, Narragansett, New Shoreham, Richmond, South Kingstown, and Westerly. Appeals and transfers in cases arising in the enumerated cities and towns of the fourth division shall be transmitted by the clerk of the Fourth Division District Court to the clerk of the Washington County Superior Court.

(4) Sixth division. The sixth division consists of the cities of Central Falls, East Providence, Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket and the towns of Barrington, Bristol, Burrillville, Cumberland and Warren. Appeals and transfers in cases arising in the enumerated cities and towns of the sixth division shall be transmitted by the clerk of the Sixth Division District Court to the clerk of the Providence County Superior Court.

(b) In each division the place or places for holding court shall be designated by the chief judge.

(c) The district court shall have a seal for each of its divisions, which shall contain the words, District court of the State of Rhode Island, division.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-4-16 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-4 / Section 8-4-16
§ 8-4-16. Assistant supreme court clerks.
Status: in_force

The clerk of the supreme court shall appoint, with the approval of the court, not more than two (2) assistant clerks, who shall hold office until removed by the clerk or the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-19 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-19
§ 8-10-19. Limitation on transfer or parole of juveniles.
Status: in_force

During the period when a juvenile shall be placed in the receiving and screening unit or in the youth correctional center, no transfer or parole of the juvenile shall be made except with the consent of the chief judge of the family court, or, in his or her absence, with the consent of the justice who initially heard, or has pending before him or her, the matter involving such juvenile.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-15-12 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-15 / Section 8-15-12
§ 8-15-12. Rhode Island judicial security act. [Effective January 1, 2026.]
Status: in_force

(a) As used in this chapter, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:

(1) Data aggregator means a commercial entity that collects, assembles, or maintains personal information concerning an individual or an employee of that entity in order to sell the information or provide third-party access to the information.

(2) Immediate family means the spouse, domestic partner, child, step-child, parent, or any other blood relative who lives in the same residence as a protected individual, as defined herein.

(3) Personal information means the Social Security number, residence addresses, home phone numbers, mobile phone numbers, or personal email addresses of, and identifiable to, the protected individual or immediate family member.

(4) Protected individual means a retired, recalled, or current justice, judge, or magistrate of the Rhode Island unified judicial system, as defined in § 8-15-1, and retired, recalled, or current justices, judges, and magistrates of the United States Supreme Court, United States Courts of Appeal, United States District Courts and United States Bankruptcy Courts who reside in the State of Rhode Island.

(b)(1) No state agency, county agency, or municipal agency shall publicly post or display the personal information of any protected individual following receipt of notice provided for in subsection (b)(2) of this section without first obtaining the written permission of that individual.

(2) Each protected individual may file a written notice of their status as a protected individual, for themselves and immediate family with any state, county, or municipal agency requesting each state, county, or municipal agency to mark as confidential the protected individuals or immediate family members personal information.

(3) Upon receipt of a written request in accordance with this section, the state, county, or municipal agency shall remove the protected individuals or immediate family members personal information from publicly available content within seventy-two (72) hours; and further, shall not publicly post or display the personal information of any protected individual or immediate family member without first obtaining written permission from the protected individual.

(4) This subsection (b) shall not prohibit the list of delinquent taxpayers published pursuant to § 44-1-34 from containing the name of any protected individual or immediate family member, the type of tax levied, and the amount of the delinquency, including interest and penalty. Addresses, including the city or town and zip code, of any protected individual or immediate family member shall not be disclosed on such list once the division of taxation receives a written notice filed in accordance with subsection (b)(2) of this section.

(c)(1) In accordance with this section, it shall be unlawful for a data aggregator to sell, license, trade, purchase, or otherwise provide or make available for consideration a protected individuals or immediate family members personal information following receipt of notice provided for in subsection (b)(2) of this section.

(2) Each protected individual may file a written notice of their status as a protected individual, for themselves and immediate family, to any person, data aggregator, business, or association, requesting the person, data aggregator, business, or association mark as confidential the protected individuals or immediate family members personal information.

(3) In accordance with this section, upon receipt of a written request submitted by the protected individual, either directly or through an agent, to the person, data aggregator, business, or association, the person, data aggregator, business, or association shall remove the protected individuals or immediate family members personal information from publicly available content within ten (10) business days; and further, shall not in the future publicly post or display the personal information of any protected individual or immediate family member without first obtaining written permission from the protected individual.

(4) Within ten (10) business days after receiving a protected individuals written request, a person, data aggregator, business, or association shall ensure that the protected individuals or the immediate family members personal information is not made available on any website or subsidiary website controlled by the person, data aggregator, business, or association, except for disclosures to governmental agencies, law enforcement, healthcare organizations, insurance organizations, financial institutions, or in connection with fraud prevention services or legal process.

(5) A person, data aggregator, business, or association shall comply with a written request received from a protected individuals authorized agent if the request is submitted with a notarized affidavit signed by the protected individual identifying their agent as being authorized to act on the protected individuals behalf in accordance with this section.

(6) After receiving a protected individuals written request, no person, data aggregator, business, or association shall transfer the protected individuals or an immediate family members personally identifiable information to any other person, business, or association through any medium except as provided herein. This section shall not apply to a transfer made at the request of the protected individual or that is necessary to effectuate the request to the data aggregator, business, or association from the protected individual.

(7) A protected individual, or their immediate family member, whose personally identifiable information is made public as a result of a violation of this section may bring an action seeking injunctive or declaratory relief in any court of competent jurisdiction within the State of Rhode Island. If the court grants injunctive or declaratory relief, the person, business, or association responsible for the violation shall be required to pay the individuals costs and reasonable attorneys fees.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-1-1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-1 / Section 8-1-1
§ 8-1-1. Composition  Effect of resignation or retirement on pending cases.
Status: in_force

The supreme court shall consist of a chief justice and four (4) associate justices; provided, however, that whenever any justice of the supreme court shall cease to be a justice thereof by reason of resignation or retirement, the resigned or retired justice shall be eligible to exercise the function of a justice of the supreme court for the purpose of participating in rendering decisions in all causes argued to the court prior to the resignation or retirement of the justice. The provisions of this section shall be interpreted and construed liberally, for the purpose of accomplishing the purpose thereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-4-20 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-4 / Section 8-4-20
§ 8-4-20. Custody of files and records.
Status: in_force

The files and records of the supreme court shall be in the custody of the clerk of the supreme court. The files and records now in the offices of the clerks of the superior court in the counties of Providence, Newport, Washington, and Kent, which were transferred to the offices from the appellate division and the common pleas division of the supreme court in those counties, shall be and remain, respectively, in the custody of the clerks of the superior court in each of those counties. The files and records in the office of the clerk of the superior court in Providence, including all books, papers, and records of the office and all other public property, which were transferred from the office of the assistant clerk of the superior court in Bristol to the office in Providence, shall there remain in the custody of the clerk.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-15-2.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-15 / Section 8-15-2.1
§ 8-15-2.1. Powers of the chief justice to ensure court operations.
Status: in_force

(a) The chief justice of the supreme court may, by order, take any action necessary to ensure the continued and efficient operation of the courts of the unified judicial system. Such necessary actions may include, but are not limited to:

(1) Establishing alternative locations to conduct judicial business in the event that one or more court locations cannot be utilized;

(2) Enlarging, extending, tolling, or suspending any filing, appeal, or other applicable deadline or statute of limitation in the event of the closure or curtailment of court operations or other circumstances as is necessary, in the opinion of the chief justice, to ensure the fair administration of justice;

(3) In the event of a court closure or curtailment of court operations, suspending any judicial business that is deemed not essential by the chief justice; and

(4) Taking any other appropriate action necessary to ensure that judicial business is effectively conducted by the courts of the unified judicial system for the duration of the order.

(b) Any order of the chief justice closing or curtailing the operation of any court within the unified judicial system and setting forth the necessary response(s) thereto shall specify:

(1) The nature, time period, and duration of the circumstances giving rise to the order;

(2) The court(s) and court location(s) affected by the order;

(3) The action(s) to be undertaken to redress the circumstances giving rise to the order; and

(4) Any other relevant information needed to effectively respond to the circumstances giving rise to the order and ensure the continued and efficient operation of the unified judicial system for the duration of the order.

(c) The order closing or curtailing the operation of any court within the unified judicial system shall be limited to an initial duration of not more than thirty (30) days; provided, however, that the order may be modified or extended for additional periods of thirty (30) days each at the discretion of the chief justice. Any modification or extension of the initial order shall contain the same information required for the issuance of the initial order pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.

(d) In the event that the office of the chief justice is vacant, or the chief justice is unable, by reason of illness or absence, to perform his or her duties, the associate justice of the supreme court having precedence who is present and qualified, as determined by §§ 8-3-2 and 8-3-3, shall have the power to issue an order under this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-4-18 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-4 / Section 8-4-18
§ 8-4-18. Powers of assistants in Providence and Bristol counties.
Status: in_force

Each of the assistant clerks for the counties of Providence and Bristol shall aid his principal in the discharge of his duties and any act done by him or her, under direction of the clerk, in the line of duty of the clerk, shall have the same force and effect as though done by the clerk; he or she shall have authority to administer oaths to parties, witnesses, and others as required in the conduct of the proceedings of the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-13 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-13
§ 8-8-13. Sessions of the court.
Status: in_force

The district court shall be in continuous session for the transaction of any business that may come before it; provided, however, that the court shall not be in session on Sundays and legal holidays for the transaction of civil business.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-5-4.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-5 / Section 8-5-4.1
§ 8-5-4.1. Freelance court reporters and electronic court reporters.
Status: in_force

(a) All stenographic notes of freelance court reporters or recordings and notes of freelance electronic court reporters pertaining to all proceedings which have been completely transcribed may be destroyed after seven (7) years, unless otherwise ordered by any court.

(b) Stenographic notes of freelance court reporters and recordings and notes of freelance electronic court reporters, pertaining to all proceedings which have not been transcribed or which have been partially transcribed, may be destroyed after ten (10) years unless otherwise ordered by any court.

(c) Provided, however, depositions taken under the federal rules of civil procedure shall not be destroyed at any time.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-3-6 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-3 / Section 8-3-6
§ 8-3-6. Justices as conservators of peace  Powers in criminal cases.
Status: in_force

The justices of the supreme and superior court shall, by virtue of their office, be severally conservators of the peace throughout the state, and shall severally have the same power in criminal cases throughout the state that district courts have in their respective districts.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-39.3 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-39.3
§ 8-2-39.3. Superior court diversion.
Status: in_force

(a) In accordance with § 8-6-2, the superior court may create, with the approval of the supreme court, rules for a superior court diversion program. The presiding justice may assign a justice or magistrate to administer the diversion program. The program is designed to offer an alternative to traditional conviction, sentencing, and incarceration by providing eligible defendants with a framework of supervision and services in lieu of incarceration and/or probation to help them make informed decisions; engage in positive behavior; and reduce the risk of recidivism.

(b) Definitions:

(1) Disqualifying offense includes murder; manslaughter; first-degree arson; kidnapping with intent to extort; robbery; felony assault  serious bodily injury; larceny from the person; burglary; entering a dwelling house with intent to commit murder; robbery; sexual assault; any domestic violence offense as defined in chapter 29 of title 12; felony driving while intoxicated; driving while intoxicated  death resulting; driving while intoxicated  serious bodily injury resulting; possession of greater than one ounce (1 oz.) or greater than one kilogram (1 kg.) of a controlled substance, excluding marijuana; possession of greater than five kilograms (5 kg.) of marijuana; any offense requiring sex offender registration pursuant to chapter 37.1 of title 11; and child abuse as defined in § 11-9-5.3; and all firearms offenses, as defined in chapter 47 of title 11, with the exception of: § 11-47-6, mental incompetents and drug addicts prohibited from possession of firearms; § 11-47-8, license or permit required for carrying pistol  possession of machine gun; and § 11-47-52, carrying of weapon while under the influence of liquor or drugs. The definition shall also include any attempt or conspiracy to commit any of the offenses included in this subsection.

(2) Eligible defendant means any person who stands charged in a district court complaint, superior court indictment, or a superior court information for a felony offense or for a misdemeanor offense in violation of § 21-28-4.01(c)(2)(i) and:

(i) Has not been previously convicted of or pleaded nolo contendere to a disqualifying offense, as defined in this section;

(ii) Has not been previously convicted of or pleaded nolo contendere previously to two (2) or more felony offenses within the last five (5) years (excluding any time during which the offender was incarcerated for any reason between the time of commission of the previous felony and the time of commission of the present felony); and

(iii) Has not been charged with a disqualifying offense as defined in this section.

(c) The procedure for referral and admission into the program shall be as follows:

(1) At any time after the arraignment of an eligible defendant, either in the district court or superior court, but prior to the entry of a plea of guilty or the commencement of trial, a referral may be made to the judicial diversion programs sentencing case manager. The referral may be made by a representative of the department of the attorney general or counsel entered on behalf of a defendant or upon request by a justice of the superior or district court.

(2) The judicial diversion sentencing case manager shall ensure that the individual is an eligible defendant, and satisfies any additional criteria established by the court through its rules and regulations.

(3) The judicial diversion sentencing case manager shall submit his or her report to the justice or magistrate assigned to the program, indicating acceptance or rejection into the program. Upon receipt of the report, the court shall confer with counsel for the defendant and counsel for the state.

(4) Either party may request a hearing on the issue of whether the defendant should be admitted into the program.

(5) The superior court magistrate or justice assigned to the program shall make the final determination as to whether a defendant is admitted into the program.

(d) Notwithstanding the above provisions, if counsel for the department of attorney general and the counsel for the defendant agree that the defendant should be admitted to the program, he or she shall be deemed eligible and may be granted admission.

(e) Once the defendant has been accepted into the program, the defendant shall sign a contract. The contract will detail the requirements of the program, which requirements shall be consistent with the rules and regulations promulgated by the court. The defendant will be bound by the terms of the contract, which will set forth the courts expectations; the conditions imposed upon and the responsibilities of the defendant; and the treatment plan goals and strategies. In addition, by signing the contract, the defendant agrees to waive any applicable statute of limitations and/or right to a speedy trial.

(f) If a defendant fails to abide by the programs conditions and orders, he or she may be terminated from the program by the magistrate or justice assigned to the program. If a defendant is terminated from the program then he or she shall have his or her case placed on the superior court criminal calendar in the county that the case originated.

(g) The superior court may make such rules and regulations for the administration and enforcement of this chapter as it may deem necessary. Provided, further, notwithstanding any provision of the general or public laws to the contrary, the superior court shall have the power to adopt by rule or regulation, in whole or in part, any standards, rules, regulations, or other standards and procedures governing the judicial diversion program.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-2.3 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-2.3
§ 8-9-2.3. Probate judge in town where council sits as probate court.
Status: in_force

In any town where the town council regularly sits as the probate court, the town council may appoint annually a member of the bar of the state of Rhode Island to be available to sit as judge of the probate court and may fill any vacancy occurring in the office of that appointee. Whenever a party to any contested matter in the probate court of the town shall so request, the town council acting as the probate court of the town shall designate the appointee to sit as a judge of the probate court to hear and determine that particular contested probate matter and the request and designation shall be recorded in the records of the probate court, and thereupon the appointee shall have the power and be subjected to the duties of the probate court with respect to the matter; provided, however, that if the appointee is a party to or interested in the matter, or is unable to perform his or her duties, no such designation shall be made. The probate clerk shall attend all hearings and record all proceedings before the appointee. The appointee shall not be entitled to any fees of the probate court, and the probate court shall be entitled to the same fees as if the designation had not been made. The appointee shall be entitled to receive from the town such compensation as it may allow.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-12 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-12
§ 8-9-12. Payment of legacies.
Status: in_force

Probate courts may determine all questions as to the payments of legacies by executors and administrators with the will annexed and may allow such payments in the accounts of executors and administrators.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-19 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-19
§ 8-8-19. Duties of chief clerk.
Status: in_force

The chief clerk shall have general supervisory power over the clerks of the court and shall be responsible to the chief judge for the proper and efficient operation of their offices. To that end he or she shall:

(1) Temporarily transfer clerks to other divisions outside of their own when he or she deems it necessary. Such transfers shall be subject to the approval of the chief judge.

(2) Procure all necessary papers, books, and other documents as the state controller or as the chief judge may direct, upon which the clerks shall keep their records and make their reports and returns.

(3) Systematize record keeping throughout the divisions.

(4) Gather such statistics as the chief judge shall direct.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-4-4.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-4 / Section 8-4-4.1
§ 8-4-4.1. Retirement of superior court clerks as clerks emeritus.
Status: in_force

Any clerk of the superior court serving on or after May 16, 1984 and who retires from the position of clerk under the state retirement system after having served not less than nine (9) years in the position shall, upon such retirement, be deemed to be clerk emeritus of the superior court, shall retain the authority and power of a clerk of the superior court, including but not limited to the authority and power to join persons in marriage in any city or town in this state, and shall be available, subject to the retirees physical and mental competence, for assignment for active duty as clerk of the superior court without additional compensation therefor by the presiding judge thereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-4-14 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-4 / Section 8-4-14
§ 8-4-14. Appointment of deputies.
Status: in_force

The clerk of the supreme court, with the approval of the Chief Justice, may appoint one or more deputy clerks, who, being sworn, may discharge all the duties of the clerk appointing them.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-3-19 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-3 / Section 8-3-19
§ 8-3-19. Domestic partner  Definition.
Status: in_force

For purposes of this chapter, domestic partner shall be defined as a person who, prior to the decedents death, was in an exclusive, intimate and committed relationship with the decedent, and who certifies by affidavit that their relationship met the following qualifications:

(1) Both partners were at least eighteen (18) years of age and were mentally competent to contract;

(2) Neither partner was married to anyone else;

(3) Partners were not related by blood to a degree which would prohibit marriage in the state of Rhode Island;

(4) Partners resided together and had resided together for at least one year at the time of death; and

(5) Partners were financially interdependent as evidenced by at least two (2) of the following:

(i) Domestic partnership agreement or relationship contract;

(ii) Joint mortgage or joint ownership of primary residence;

(iii) Two (2) of: (A) joint ownership of motor vehicle; (B) joint checking account; (C) joint credit account; (D) joint lease; and/or

(iv) The domestic partner had been designated as a beneficiary for the decedents will, retirement contract or life insurance.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-3-15 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-3 / Section 8-3-15
§ 8-3-15. Cost-of-living allowance.
Status: in_force

(a) All justices of the supreme court, superior court, family court, or district court, or their surviving spouses or domestic partners, who retire after January 1, 1970, and who receive a retirement allowance pursuant to the provisions of this title shall, on the first day of January next following the third anniversary date of retirement, receive a cost-of-living retirement adjustment in addition to the justices retirement allowance in an amount equal to three percent (3%) of the original retirement allowance. In each succeeding year thereafter during the month of January, the retirement allowance shall be increased an additional three percent (3%) of the original allowance, not compounded, to be continued during the lifetime of the justice or the justices surviving spouse or domestic partner. For the purpose of such computation, credit shall be given for a full calendar year regardless of the effective date of the retirement allowance.

(b) Any justice who retired prior to January 31, 1977, shall be deemed for the purpose of this section to have retired on January 1, 1977.

(c) For justices not eligible to retire as of September 30, 2009, and not eligible upon passage of this article, and for their beneficiaries, the cost of living adjustment described in subsection (a) above shall only apply to the first thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000) of retirement allowance, indexed annually, and shall commence upon the third (3rd) anniversary of the date of retirement or when the retiree reaches age sixty-five (65), whichever is later. The thirty-five thousand dollar ($35,000) limit shall increase annually by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) as published by the United States Department of Labor Statistics determined as of September 30 of the prior calendar year or three percent (3%), whichever is less. The first thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000), as indexed, of retirement allowance shall be multiplied by the percentage of increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) as published by the United States Department of Labor Statistics determined as of September 30 of the prior calendar year or three percent (3%), whichever is less, on the month following the anniversary date of each succeeding year. For justices eligible to retire as of September 30, 2009, or eligible upon passage of this article, and for their beneficiaries, the provisions of this subsection (c) shall not apply.

(d) This subsection (d) shall be effective for the period July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2015.

(1) Notwithstanding the prior paragraphs of this section, and subject to paragraph (d)(2) below, for all present and former justices, active and retired justices, and beneficiaries receiving any retirement, disability, or death allowance or benefit of any kind, whether provided for or on behalf of justices engaged on or prior to December 31, 1989, as a non-contributory justice or engaged after December 31, 1989, as a contributory justice, the annual benefit adjustment provided in any calendar year under this section shall be equal to (A) multiplied by (B) where (A) is equal to the percentage determined by subtracting five and one-half percent (5.5%) (the subtrahend) from the Five-Year Average Investment Return of the retirement system determined as of the last day of the plan year preceding the calendar year in which the adjustment is granted, said percentage not to exceed four percent (4%) and not to be less than zero percent (0%), and (B) is equal to the lesser of the justices retirement allowance or the first twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) of retirement allowance, such twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) amount to be indexed annually in the same percentage as determined under (d)(1)(A) above. The Five-Year Average Investment Return shall mean the average of the investment return of the most recent five (5) plan years as determined by the retirement board. Subject to paragraph (d)(2) below, the benefit adjustment provided by this paragraph shall commence upon the third (3rd) anniversary of the date of retirement or the date on which the retiree reaches their Social Security retirement age, whichever is later. In the event the retirement board adjusts the actuarially assumed rate of return for the system, either upward or downward, the subtrahend shall be adjusted either upward or downward in the same amount.

(2) Except as provided in paragraph (d)(3), the benefit adjustments under this section for any plan year shall be suspended in their entirety unless the Funded Ratio of the Employees Retirement System of Rhode Island, the Judicial Retirement Benefits Trust, and the State Police Retirement Benefits Trust, calculated by the systems actuary on an aggregate basis, exceeds eighty percent (80%) in which event the benefit adjustment will be reinstated for all justices for such plan year.

In determining whether a funding level under this paragraph (d)(2) has been achieved, the actuary shall calculate the funding percentage after taking into account the reinstatement of any current or future benefit adjustment provided under this section.

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (d)(2), in each fifth plan year commencing after June 30, 2012, commencing with the plan year ending June 30, 2017, and subsequently at intervals of five (5) plan years, a benefit adjustment shall be calculated and made in accordance with paragraph (d)(1) above until the Funded Ratio of the Employees Retirement System of Rhode Island, the Judicial Retirement Benefits Trust, and the State Police Retirement Benefits Trust, calculated by the systems actuary on an aggregate basis, exceeds eighty percent (80%).

(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the provisions of this subsection (d) shall become effective July 1, 2012, and shall apply to any benefit adjustment not granted on or prior to June 30, 2012.

(e) This subsection (e) shall become effective July 1, 2015.

(1)(A) As soon as administratively reasonable following the enactment into law of this subsection (e)(1)(A), a one-time benefit adjustment shall be provided to justices and/or beneficiaries of justices who retired on or before June 30, 2012, in the amount of two percent (2%) of the lesser of either the justices retirement allowance or the first twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) of the justices retirement allowance. This one-time benefit adjustment shall be provided without regard to the retirees age or number of years since retirement.

(B) Notwithstanding the prior subsections of this section, for all present and former justices, active and retired justices, and beneficiaries receiving any retirement, disability or death allowance or benefit of any kind, whether provided for or on behalf of justices engaged on or prior to December 31, 1989, as a non-contributory justice or engaged after December 31, 1989, as a contributory justice, the annual benefit adjustment provided in any calendar year under this section for adjustments on and after January 1, 2016, and subject to subsection (e)(2) below, shall be equal to (I) multiplied by (II):

(I) shall equal the sum of fifty percent (50%) of (i) plus fifty percent (50%) of (ii) where:

(i) is equal to the percentage determined by subtracting five and one-half percent (5.5%) (the subtrahend) from the five-year average investment return of the retirement system determined as of the last day of the plan year preceding the calendar year in which the adjustment is granted, said percentage not to exceed four percent (4%) and not to be less than zero percent (0%). The five-year average investment return shall mean the average of the investment returns of the most recent five (5) plan years as determined by the retirement board. In the event the retirement board adjusts the actuarially assumed rate of return for the system, either upward or downward, the subtrahend shall be adjusted either upward or downward in the same amount.

(ii) is equal to the lesser of three percent (3%) or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) as published by the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics determined as of September 30 of the prior calendar year. In no event shall the sum of (i) plus (ii) exceed three and one-half percent (3.5%) or be less than zero percent (0%).

(II) is equal to the lesser of either the justices retirement allowance or the first twenty-five thousand eight hundred and fifty-five dollars ($25,855) of retirement allowance, such amount to be indexed annually in the same percentage as determined under subsection (e)(1)(B)(I) above.

The benefit adjustments provided by this subsection (e)(1)(B) shall be provided to all retirees entitled to receive a benefit adjustment as of June 30, 2012, under the law then in effect, and for all other retirees the benefit adjustments shall commence upon the third anniversary of the date of retirement or the date on which the retiree reaches their Social Security retirement age, whichever is later.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (e)(3), the benefit adjustments under subsection (e)(1)(B) for any plan year shall be suspended in their entirety unless the funded ratio of the employees retirement system of Rhode Island, the judicial retirement benefits trust, and the state police retirement benefits trust, calculated by the systems actuary on an aggregate basis, exceeds eighty percent (80%) in which event the benefit adjustment will be reinstated for all justices for such plan year. Effective July 1, 2024, the funded ratio of the employees retirement system of Rhode Island, the judicial retirement benefits trust, and the state police retirement benefits trust, calculated by the systems actuary on an aggregate basis, of exceeding eighty percent (80%) for the benefit adjustment to be reinstated for all members for such plan year shall be replaced with seventy-five percent (75%).

In determining whether a funding level under this subsection (e)(2) has been achieved, the actuary shall calculate the funding percentage after taking into account the reinstatement of any current or future benefit adjustment provided under this section.

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (e)(2), in each fourth plan year commencing after June 30, 2012, commencing with the plan year ending June 30, 2016, and subsequently at intervals of four plan years: (i) A benefit adjustment shall be calculated and made in accordance with subsection (e)(1)(B) above; and (ii) Effective for members and/or beneficiaries of members who retired on or before June 30, 2015, the dollar amount in subsection (e)(1)(B)(II) of twenty-five thousand eight hundred and fifty-five dollars ($25,855) shall be replaced with thirty-one thousand and twenty-six dollars ($31,026) until the funded ratio of the employees retirement system of Rhode Island, the judicial retirement benefits trust, and the state police retirement benefits trust, calculated by the systems actuary on an aggregate basis, exceeds eighty percent (80%). Effective July 1, 2024, the funded ratio of the employees retirement system of Rhode Island, the judicial retirement benefits trust, and the state police retirement benefits trust, calculated by the systems actuary on an aggregate basis, of exceeding eighty percent (80%) shall be replaced with seventy-five percent (75%).

(A) Effective for members and/or beneficiaries of members who have retired on or before July 1, 2015, a one-time stipend of five hundred dollars ($500) shall be payable within sixty (60) days following the enactment of the legislation implementing this provision, and a second one-time stipend of five hundred dollars ($500) in the same month of the following year. These stipends shall be payable to all retired members or beneficiaries receiving a benefit as of the applicable payment date and shall not be considered cost of living adjustments under the prior provisions of this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-3 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-3
§ 8-10-3. Establishment of court  Jurisdiction  Seal  Oaths.
Status: in_force

(a) There is hereby established a family court, consisting of a chief judge and eleven (11) associate justices, to hear and determine all petitions for divorce from the bond of marriage and from bed and board; all motions for allowance, alimony, support and custody of children, allowance of counsel and witness fees, and other matters arising out of petitions and motions relative to real and personal property in aid thereof, including, but not limited to, partitions, accountings, receiverships, sequestration of assets, resulting and constructive trust, impressions of trust, and such other equitable matters arising out of the family relationship, wherein jurisdiction is acquired by the court by the filing of petitions for divorce, bed and board and separate maintenance; all motions for allowance for support and educational costs of children attending high school at the time of their eighteenth (18th) birthday and up to ninety (90) days after high school graduation, but in no case beyond their nineteenth (19th) birthday; enforcement of any order or decree granting alimony and/or child support, and/or custody and/or visitation of any court of competent jurisdiction of another state; modification of any order or decree granting alimony and/or custody and/or visitation of any court of competent jurisdiction of another state on the ground that there has been a change of circumstances; modification of any order or decree granting child support of any court of competent jurisdiction of another state provided: (1) the order has been registered in Rhode Island for the purposes of modification pursuant to §15-23.1-611, or (2) Rhode Island issued the order and has continuing exclusive jurisdiction over the parties; antenuptial agreements, property settlement agreements and all other contracts between persons, who at the time of execution of the contracts, were husband and wife or planned to enter into that relationship; complaints for support of parents and children; those matters relating to delinquent, wayward, dependent, neglected, or children with disabilities who by reason of any disability requires special education or treatment and other related services; to hear and determine all petitions for guardianship of any child who has been placed in the care, custody, and control of the department for children, youth, and families pursuant to the provisions of chapter 1 of title 14 and chapter 11 of title 40; adoption of children under eighteen (18) years of age; change of names of children under the age of eighteen (18) years; paternity of children born out of wedlock and provision for the support and disposition of such children or their mothers; child marriages; those matters referred to the court in accordance with the provisions of §14-1-28; those matters relating to adults who shall be involved with paternity of children born out of wedlock; responsibility for or contributing to the delinquency, waywardness, or neglect of children under sixteen (16) years of age; desertion, abandonment, or failure to provide subsistence for any children dependent upon such adults for support; neglect to send any child to school as required by law; bastardy proceedings and custody to children in proceedings, whether or not supported by petitions for divorce or separate maintenance or for relief without commencement of divorce proceedings; and appeals of administrative decisions concerning setoff of income tax refunds for past due child support in accordance with §§44-30.1-5 and 40-6-21. The holding of real estate as tenants by the entirety shall not in and of itself preclude the family court from partitioning real estate so held for a period of six (6) months after the entry of final decree of divorce.

(b) The family court shall be a court of record and shall have a seal which shall contain such words and devices as the court shall adopt.

(c) The judges and clerk of the family court shall have power to administer oaths and affirmations.

(d) The family court shall have exclusive initial jurisdiction of all appeals from any administrative agency or board affecting or concerning children under the age of eighteen (18) years and appeals of administrative decisions concerning setoff of income tax refunds, lottery set offs, insurance intercept, and lien enforcement provisions for past due child support, in accordance with §§44-30.1-5 and 40-6-21, and appeals of administrative agency orders of the department of human services to withhold income under chapter 16 of title 15.

(e) The family court shall have jurisdiction over those civil matters relating to the enforcement of laws regulating child care providers and child placing agencies.

(f) The family court shall have exclusive jurisdiction of matters relating to the revocation or nonrenewal of a license of an obligor due to noncompliance with a court order of support, in accordance with chapter 11.1 of title 15.

[See §12-1-15 of the General Laws.]

(g) Notwithstanding any general or public law to the contrary, the family court shall have jurisdiction over all protective orders provided pursuant to the Rhode Island general laws, when either party is a juvenile.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-18-1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-18 / Section 8-18-1
§ 8-18-1. Legislative findings.
Status: in_force

It is hereby found and declared as follows:

(1) The general assembly has authorized the establishment of municipal courts, in order to promote the health and safety of the residents of each city or town and to insure compliance with any and all local ordinances.

(2) In furtherance of this finding there is hereby created a compact between the state courts and agencies and the local municipal courts to establish and define jurisdictional responsibility for law enforcement powers within the state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-5-4 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-5 / Section 8-5-4
§ 8-5-4. Court reporters and electronic court reporters  Supplies and preservation of notes and other materials.
Status: in_force

All books, papers, recording media, and supplies necessary for use by court reporters and electronic court reporters shall be furnished by the state, and the notebooks used and notes and recordings taken by them shall be the property of the state and be deposited with the clerk of the court in Providence county; provided, the clerk shall not be required to preserve the notebooks and notes and recordings beyond the period of fifteen (15) years.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-29 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-29
§ 8-8-29. Court stenographer in tax cases.
Status: in_force

Any party may obtain the services of a court stenographer in the district court in a tax case, and that party shall pay all costs of the court stenographer.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-24 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-24
§ 8-2-24. Simultaneous sessions.
Status: in_force

Superior courts may be held, with or without juries, by different justices at the same time and in different places in the same county or in different counties.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-5 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-5
§ 8-9-5. Disqualification or inability of probate judge.
Status: in_force

Unless otherwise provided, whenever the judge of probate in any city or town is a party or is interested in any case arising in his or her town, or is absent or unable to perform his or her duties, the town council of the town shall perform those duties in the same manner as if no judge of probate had been elected; provided, however, that whenever the judge of probate of the town of Warren is a party or is interested in any proceeding about to be heard in his or her court, or is absent or unable to perform his or her duties, or there is a vacancy in the office, his or her duties shall be temporarily performed by the town solicitor of the town; and the fact of the interest, absence, inability, or vacancy shall be rendered in the records of the court; provided, however, that whenever the judge of probate of the city of Newport or the town of Cumberland or Smithfield is a party or is interested in any proceeding about to be heard in his or her court, or is absent or unable to perform his or her duties, or there is a vacancy in the office, his or her duties shall be temporarily performed by the municipal court judge, if available, if not then the city solicitor of the city of Newport or by the town solicitor of the towns of Cumberland or Smithfield, respectively; and the fact of the interest, absence, inability, or vacancy shall be recorded in the records of the court; provided, however, that whenever the judge of probate of the towns of Hopkinton or West Greenwich is a party or is interested in any proceeding about to be heard in his or her court, or is absent or unable to perform his or her duties, or there is a vacancy in the office, his or her duties shall be temporarily performed by one or more deputy probate judges to be elected by the town council of the towns of Hopkinton and West Greenwich, in the same manner as prescribed for the election of the probate judge in § 8-9-4, the deputy probate judge(s) to have the same powers and duties as the probate judge and be entitled to the fees of the court as the towns may allow; provided, further, however, that no judge of probate in any city or town shall be permitted to practice or enter his or her appearance or act in any capacity as an attorney in any case before the probate court in his or her city or town.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-39.2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-39.2
§ 8-2-39.2. Drug court magistrate  Appointment, duties and powers.
Status: in_force

(a) For the purposes of this chapter:

(1) Non-violent means and includes all charges that are not crimes of violence, the following being a list of all charges considered to be crimes of violence for the purposes of this section: murder, manslaughter, first-degree arson, kidnapping with intent to extort, robbery, first-degree sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, first- and second-degree child molestation, assault, assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to rob, assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual assault, entering a dwelling house with intent to commit murder, robbery, or sexual assault.

(2) Drug-addicted person means a person who exhibits a maladaptive pattern of behavior resulting from drug use, including one or more of the following: impaired control over drug use; compulsive use; and/or continued use despite harm, and craving.

(b) There is hereby created within the superior court the position of drug court magistrate who shall be appointed by the presiding justice of the superior court with the advice and consent of the senate. The persons appointed to serve as drug court magistrates shall be members of the bar of Rhode Island. The powers and duties of the drug court magistrate shall be prescribed in the order appointing him or her in addition to those described herein.

The drug court magistrates term shall be ten (10) years and until a successor is appointed and qualified. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a drug court magistrate from being reappointed for additional ten-year (10) terms by the presiding justice of the superior court with the advice and consent of the senate. He or she shall receive a salary equivalent to that received by the special magistrate assigned to the superior court. The drug court magistrate shall preside over the adult drug court. The adult drug court program shall combine the coercive powers of the court with a therapeutic regimen in order to rehabilitate drug addicted defendants.

(c) The drug court magistrate shall be empowered to hear and decide as a superior court justice all matters relating to those adult offenders who come before the jurisdiction of the superior court on any offense relating to the offenders participation in the adult drug court. In addition, the drug court magistrate shall have the power to impose a period of incarceration upon a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, and also have the power to confine any person who has been found to be in violation of any conditions previously imposed by the superior court.

(d) The drug court magistrate shall make the final determination as to whether a defendant is admitted into the program. Individuals meeting the following criteria shall be screened by staff working at the office of the attorney general upon the departments own referral; upon a request by counsel entered on behalf of a defendant; upon request by a judge of the superior or district court, or, in the case of a person waivable by the family court, by a judge of that court; or the department of corrections for admittance into the adult drug court:

(1) The individual is charged with or convicted of an alcohol- or drug-related offense or with an appropriate non-violent offense.

(2) The individual has no pending charges for felony crimes of violence.

(3) The individual has no pending charges for delivery of a controlled substance.

(4) The defendant is a drug-addicted person.

(e) All individuals accepted into drug court will be bound by a drug court contract, as defined by the adult drug court, that sets forth the courts expectations; the role and responsibilities of the drug court; the conditions imposed upon and the responsibilities of the defendant; and the treatment plan goals and strategies. If a defendant fails to abide by the drug court conditions and orders, he or she may be terminated from the program by the drug court judge and sentenced as he or she deems appropriate.

(f) The drug court magistrate shall be empowered to hear and decide as a superior court justice all matters that may come before the superior court pursuant to chapter 37.1 of title 11 sexual offender registration and community notification.

(g) The drug court magistrate and/or the presiding justice of the superior court may fix the venue of any person who is before the superior court as a participant in the adult drug court or who is alleged to be a sexual predator, and who has filed an objection to community notification.

(h) In addition, at the discretion of the presiding justice of the superior court, the drug court magistrate shall have the duties, responsibilities, and powers authorized in subsections 8-2-39(b), (c) and (d).

(i) The drug court magistrate shall be governed by the commission on judicial tenure and discipline, chapter 16 of title 8, in the same manner as justices and judges; shall be subject to all provisions of the canons of judicial ethics or code of judicial conduct; and shall be subject to all criminal laws relative to judges by virtue of §§11-7-1 and 11-7-2.

(j) A party aggrieved by an order entered by the drug court magistrate shall be entitled to a review of the order by a justice of the superior court. Unless otherwise provided in the rules of procedure of the court, such review shall be on the record and appellate in nature. The superior court shall, by rules of procedure, establish procedures for reviews of orders entered by a drug court magistrate, and for enforcement of contempt adjudications of a drug court magistrate.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-23 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-23
§ 8-8-23. Savings clause.
Status: in_force

The divisions of the district court established in § 8-8-2 shall have custody of all records, books, and papers of the district court of the several judicial districts heretofore existing within their respective geographical limits. All civil actions and criminal proceedings and processes pending in the district courts of the several judicial districts heretofore existing and all writs issued out of and returnable to those courts shall continue with the same force and effect in the district court established by this chapter, within its respective divisions; and all rights and liabilities of the parties to such civil actions and criminal proceedings and processes commenced prior to September 15, 1969, including costs of appeal, shall continue in full force and effect.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-9 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-9
§ 8-10-9. Assistance of services of department of corrections.
Status: in_force

(a) The facilities of the department of corrections shall be available at all times to the court. The director of the department of corrections shall assign to service in the court a supervisor of probation counsellors, probation counsellors, and other workers to carry out the purposes of the court. The supervisor, counsellors, and workers, when so assigned, shall be responsible to the court and shall serve in the court at the pleasure of the chief judge in his or her capacity as administrative judge.

(b) At the request of the court, the director of the department of corrections, his or her assistants, and the bureau of mental hygiene shall make such investigation or examination, or both, as the court or any justice thereof may request of any party within its jurisdiction, and shall file with the court a written report of the investigation or examination, or both, within the time fixed by the court. Any party in interest or his or her counsel shall be entitled to examine the report, and shall be given the opportunity to cross-examine under oath the person who submits the report, and to introduce evidence in support of or in opposition to it before a decision is rendered by the court. The written report of investigation or examination shall not be used as evidence in any criminal matter heard by the court.

(c) At the direction of the court, the supervisor of probation counsellors, probation counsellors, and other workers shall assume responsibility for the enforcement of all preliminary, interlocutory, and decretal orders in cases referred to them by the court. The court may order payments of temporary or permanent alimony for the support of a wife or children, or both, to the supervisor, counsellors, or workers for the account of the wife or children, or both.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-3-12 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-3 / Section 8-3-12
§ 8-3-12. Retirement of judges with general assembly or office service.
Status: in_force

Any person, who has served as a member of the general assembly, as a general officer, and as a justice of the supreme court, the superior court, the family court, or the district court, whose combined service as a member of the general assembly, a justice, and a general officer is twenty (20) years or more and who has retired, resigned, and completed such service prior to January 1, 2014, shall, upon reaching the age of sixty-two (62) years, receive during life a sum equal to three-fourths (Â¾) of the highest annual salary that the person was receiving during such service.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-3-1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-3 / Section 8-3-1
§ 8-3-1. Engagement of office  Restriction on practice of law.
Status: in_force

(a) Every justice of the supreme court and of the superior court and of the family court shall, before exercising any of the duties of his or her office, subscribe in duplicate and take the following engagement: I _______________________________________ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the constitution of the United States and the constitution and laws of this state; that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich; and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on me as _______________________________________ according to the best of my abilities, agreeable to law; so help me God. (Or, this affirmation I make and give upon peril of the penalty or perjury.) One of the engagements shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the court of which the justice is a member and entered upon the record thereof, and the other shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state.

(b) A justice of the supreme court, of the superior court, and of the family court shall devote full time to his or her judicial duties. He or she shall not practice law while holding office nor shall he or she be a partner or associate of any person in the practice of law.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-3-9 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-3 / Section 8-3-9
§ 8-3-9. Computation of service time as to former courts.
Status: in_force

For purposes of determining eligibility for retirement under §§ 8-3-7 and 8-3-8, the years of service of any person who has served as an associate judge of the juvenile court prior to September 1, 1961, or who has served as a judge or clerk of a district court as constituted prior to September 15, 1969, or a judge of the workers compensation court, shall be included as if the service had been on the court to which the person may have been subsequently appointed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-16.2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-16.2
§ 8-8-16.2. District court clerk/magistrate.
Status: in_force

(a) Any person who is a member of the bar of Rhode Island may be appointed district court clerk/magistrate by the chief judge in his or her capacity as administrative head of the court, subject to the advice and consent of the senate. The district court clerk/magistrate shall hold that office 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 district court clerk/magistrate to more than one such term, subject to the advice and consent of the senate. The district court clerk/magistrate shall have the power to hear and determine any matters that may be assigned to the district court clerk/magistrate by the chief judge all to the same effect as if done by a judge of the district court, including, but not limited to, matters relating to 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.

(b) The clerk/magistrate may be authorized:

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

(2) To do all acts 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 fined or to order him or her imprisoned for not more than seventy-two (72) hours, for failure to appear in response to a summons or for refusal to answer questions or produce evidence or for behavior disrupting a proceeding or other contempt of his or her authority; provided; however, that no such imprisonment shall occur prior to review by a judge of the court;

(7) To adjudicate a person in contempt and to order him or her fined or to order him or her imprisoned for not more than seventy-two (72) hours, for failure to comply with a pending order to provide payment or to perform any other act; provided, however, that no such imprisonment shall occur prior to review by a judge of the court;

(8) To issue a capias and/or body attachment for the failure of a party or witness to appear after having been properly served or given notice by the court 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;

(9) To issue writs of habeas corpus to bring before him or her or a judge of the court any person in jail or in prison to be examined as a witness in a suit or proceeding, civil or criminal, pending before the court, or whose presence is necessary as a party or otherwise necessary so that the ends of justice may be attained, and for no other purpose; and

(10) To issue warrants of arrest and search warrants to the same extent as an associate judge of the court.

(c) Except as otherwise indicated, a party aggrieved by an order entered by the district court clerk/magistrate shall be entitled to a review of the order, whether by appeal or otherwise, by a judge of the court. The court shall, by rules of procedure, establish procedures for review of contempt and adjudications of the clerk/magistrate.

(d) The district court clerk/magistrate shall:

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

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

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

(4) Receive any salary that may be established by the state court administrator pursuant to § 8-15-4. The provisions of this section shall be afforded liberal construction.

(e) Any district court clerk/magistrate who has been engaged for a period of twenty (20) years and has reached the age of sixty (60) years, may 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 a magistrate of the district court as the chief judge of the district court shall prescribe. When so assigned and performing such service, the district court clerk/magistrate shall have all the powers and authority of a magistrate of the district court but otherwise shall have no powers nor be authorized to perform any judicial duties. Such a retired district court clerk/magistrate shall not be counted in the number of magistrates provided by law for the district court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-12-1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-12 / Section 8-12-1
§ 8-12-1. Report of unclaimed funds in court registries.
Status: in_force

(a) The clerks of the supreme, superior, family, district, workers compensation courts and the traffic tribunal shall, every year during the month of July, return to the state court administrator those funds which have been on deposit in the registry of the respective court for a period of five (5) years or more as of the last business day of June of that year. A sworn statement listing all money or funds shall also be submitted.

(b) The statement shall contain as to each deposit or fund:

(1) The number and title of the case and the date of the order entered on the case in accordance with which the money was paid into the registry of the court;

(2) The name and address of the person, persons, firm, or corporation who paid the money into the registry of the court so far as the name and address appears of record;

(3) The name and address of the person, persons, firm, or corporation entitled to the money in the registry so far as the name and address appear of record in the case or are otherwise known to the clerk;

(4) The amount and date of the deposit in the registry of the court and the amount including accretions from interest or otherwise at the date of the statement; and

(5) An assertion as to whether or not any claim to the deposit or fund or portion thereof is being actively prosecuted by any person and/or whether such claim has been made during the five (5) years prior to the last business day of June of that year.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-4-5 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-4 / Section 8-4-5
§ 8-4-5. Appointment, terms, and salaries of superior court clerks.
Status: in_force

In the month of May, 1971, and in the month of January in 1976 and in every fifth year thereafter, the presiding justice of the superior court, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint 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. The persons so appointed shall hold office until the first day of February in the fifth year next after their appointment and until their successors are appointed and qualified. They shall be entitled to the same longevity salary increases as though they were in the classified service.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-17.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-17.1
§ 8-9-17.1. Subpoenas issued by other officials.
Status: in_force

Justices of the peace and notaries public may issue subpoenas to witnesses and subpoenas duces tecum in any case pending before any probate court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-11-5 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-11 / Section 8-11-5
§ 8-11-5. Business continued by adjournment.
Status: in_force

All writs, actions, pleas, processes, precepts, recognizances, and other things whatsoever, returnable or having day in any court, shall stand, abide, and continue unto any adjournment made according to law and be held, deemed, and adjudged to be as effectual and available in law to all intents and purposes as if the court had been held on the day appointed for holding the court and no adjournment of the court had been made.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-5-8 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-5 / Section 8-5-8
§ 8-5-8. Sign language interpreters/transliterators and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) providers for deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind persons.
Status: in_force

(a) In all civil and criminal cases, in workers compensation, district, family, and superior court proceedings, mental health court competency hearings, state traffic tribunals, and in any case in any municipal court, including, but not limited to, on-site, court-provided, alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration, diversion/intervention program or treatment; and in an administrative, commission, or agency hearing; pursuant to chapter 18 of this title, where a party or a witness is a person who is deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind, or a juvenile whose parent or parents are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind is brought before a court for any reason, he or she shall have the proceedings accessible to him or her in a language that he or she can understand by a sign language interpreter/transliterator or CART provider appointed by the court. In any case where a sign language interpreter/transliterator or CART provider is required to be appointed by the court under this section, the court shall not commence proceedings until the appointed sign language interpreter/transliterator or CART provider is in court in a position not exceeding ten feet (10²) from, and in full view of the person who is deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind. The sign language interpreter/transliterator or CART provider appointed under the terms of the section shall be required to take an oath that he or she will make a legally equivalent, linguistically true interpretation, transliteration, or transcription for the person who is deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind of all the proceedings or hearings of the case or claim in a language that he or she understands; and will orally transfer the meaning of the answer to questions and any other statements of the person who is deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind to counsel, the court, and jury in the English language with exactitude, while accurately reflecting the form and content of the linguistic and paralinguistic elements of the speakers discourse.

Assistive listening devices, or other reasonable and effective auxiliary aids available, shall be provided for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind who need to maximize their engagement in the proceedings or hearings in addition to the interpreter/transliterator and/or CART providers.

(b) For the purposes of this section, sign language interpreter/transliterator means a person who is a certified interpreter as defined in §5-71-3 in providing the interpreting and transliterating services for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind. CART provider means a person who is a qualified communication access realtime translation (CART) service provider certified by the National Court Reporters Association. Paralinguistic elements means a non-verbal element of language, including all of the pauses, hedges, self-corrections, hesitations, and emotion as they are conveyed through tone of voice, word choice, level of formality, tone of voice, and intonation. Assistive listening device (ALD) or assistive listening system (ALS) means instruments that are designed to improve a persons ability to hear in specific listening situations. Some ALDs amplify a sound signal, but the primary purpose of an ALD is to make the targeted sound easier to hear by isolating the sound source from surrounding noise. Examples are induction loop systems, frequency-modulated (FM) systems, infrared systems, and personal amplifiers. A sign language interpreter/transliterator, or CART provider shall be deemed qualified in accordance with United States Department of Justice regulations effectuating Title II of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as from time to time may be amended, Pub. L. 101-336, codified at 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq., including regulations, analysis, and technical assistance and as determined by the definition of chapter 71 of title 5 and the commission on the deaf and hard of hearing, based upon recommendations from the National Association of the Deaf, the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, the National Hearing Loss Association of America, and other appropriate agencies. The commission on the deaf and hard of hearing shall coordinate all requests for qualified sign language interpreters/transliterators and CART providers and shall maintain a list of all such sign language interpreters/transliterators and CART providers from which it shall fill such requests. No sign language interpreter/transliterator or CART provider is precluded from being further examined by the court system.

(c) Sign language interpreters/transliterators and CART providers appointed under the terms of the section shall be paid by the state or municipality a reasonable compensation fixed by the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-5-5 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-5 / Section 8-5-5
§ 8-5-5. Reports of superior, family and district court and traffic tribunal.
Status: in_force

Court reporters shall report stenographically or electronic court reporters or similar recording personnel shall report electronically the proceedings in the trial of every action or proceeding, civil or criminal, in the superior court, family court, district court, and traffic tribunal. Each court reporter or electronic court reporter 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 of 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 transcript 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 a 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 § 8-16-13 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-16 / Section 8-16-13
§ 8-16-13. Closed meetings of the commission  Public hearings  Evidence to remain confidential until made public at hearing.
Status: in_force

The commission is hereby expressly authorized and permitted to conduct closed meetings for the conduct of all of its business other than public hearings held pursuant to § 8-16-4(c). All evidence obtained by the commission, and all evidence that the judge obtains from the commission through discovery or otherwise, shall remain confidential until it becomes the subject of testimony at the public hearing or is introduced into evidence at the public hearing.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-4 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-4
§ 8-2-4. Presiding justice as administrative judge.
Status: in_force

The presiding justice of the superior court shall be the administrative judge. He or she shall be the administrative head of the superior court and have supervision and control of the calendars and of the assignment of justices. All court stenographers and secretaries 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.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-15-4 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-15 / Section 8-15-4
§ 8-15-4. Appointment of court administrator and assistants.
Status: in_force

(a) The chief justice shall appoint a court administrator and such assistants as he or she deems necessary to aid in the administration of the judicial system. The administrator and his or her assistants shall serve at the pleasure of the chief justice.

(b) The court administrator shall, under the direction of the chief justice, prepare an annual budget for the judicial system and submit the budget to the department of administration and perform all other necessary functions relating to the administration of the courts thereof.

(c) It shall be the responsibility of the court administrator, under the direction of the chief justice, to act upon all administrative matters affecting the operation of the judiciary, including, but not limited to:

(1) The preparation of the judicial payrolls;

(2) The control of judicial appropriations for all state courts, except those as provided otherwise by law;

(3) The procuring of office space, supplies, equipment, and professional and technical assistants for the judiciary; and

(d) The court administrator, with the written approval of the chief justice, is authorized and empowered to adopt any rules and regulations that are deemed necessary to accomplish the purposes of this section, a copy of which rules and regulations shall be filed with the secretary of state and available for public inspection. In the formation of these rules and regulations, the judiciary shall take into consideration and conform to, where practicable, existing policies governing financial and personnel practices within the executive branch of government.

(e) The court administrator shall, under the direction of the chief justice, assume control of and supervise the maintenance and repair of all buildings housing the supreme and several inferior courts of justice throughout the state of Rhode Island. The general assembly shall appropriate sufficient amounts in the court budget to enable the court administrator to implement the provisions of this section.

(f) The preparation of the annual budget for the judiciary and all state courts including salaries.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-37 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-37
§ 8-2-37. Requiring recognizance of criminal complainants.
Status: in_force

The superior court may require the complainant in any criminal pleading pending therein to give recognizance with sufficient surety to prosecute his or her complaint, with effect, and in default thereof the court may dismiss the complaint.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-8 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-8
§ 8-9-8. Clerk pro tempore in absence of probate clerk.
Status: in_force

Whenever the clerk of any probate court shall not appear at the time and place appointed for the meeting of the court, the court may appoint a clerk for the time being, who, after being duly sworn, shall perform all the duties, exercise all the powers, enjoy all the emoluments, and be subject to all the requirements granted to or conferred on or required of clerks of probate courts.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-13 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-13
§ 8-9-13. Revocation or modification of warrants and commissions.
Status: in_force

Any warrant or commission for the appraisement of an estate, for examining claims against the estate of a deceased person, for the partition of real estate, or for the assignment of dower or other interest in real estate may be revoked by the court for sufficient cause; and the court may thereupon issue a new warrant or commission, or proceed otherwise, as the circumstances of the case shall require, or in the case of death, disability, or resignation of one or more of the appointees may supply vacancies occasioned thereby in such manner as the court shall deem best.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-3-2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-3 / Section 8-3-2
§ 8-3-2. Precedence of associate justices.
Status: in_force

The associate justices shall have precedence in their respective courts according to the dates of their commissions, or when the commission of two or more of them bear the same date, according to their ages.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-16.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-16.1
§ 8-8-16.1. Office of clerk/magistrate  Purpose.
Status: in_force

The general assembly hereby finds that there exists a need to further expand the capability of the district court to effectively and expeditiously collect all fines, fees, and costs due to the state, consistent with principles of fairness and due process. Therefore, the general assembly hereby creates the position of district court clerk/magistrate.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-4-13 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-4 / Section 8-4-13
§ 8-4-13. Qualification and compensation of clerk pro tempore.
Status: in_force

The clerk appointed pursuant to § 8-4-12 shall be sworn and give bond before he or she enters upon the duties of his or her office and shall, during his or her term of service, be entitled to the compensation of the office.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-12.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-12.1
§ 8-8-12.1. Constable regulation program.
Status: in_force

(a) Creation of program. There is hereby created the district court constable regulation program which shall be administered under the direction of the chief judge of the district court.

(b) Revenues. The annual license renewal fee assessed to each district court constable shall be set from time to time by the chief judge. The revenues shall be deposited as general revenues.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-11.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-11.1
§ 8-2-11.1. Administrator/magistrate.
Status: in_force

(a) Any person holding the position of administrative clerk in the superior court who is a member of the bar of Rhode Island may be appointed administrator/magistrate for a term of ten (10) years and until a successor is appointed and qualified, by the presiding justice, with the advice and consent of the senate, in his or her capacity as administrative judge. Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit the assignment of an administrator/magistrate to more than one such term, subject to the advice and consent of the senate. Any magistrate in service as of January 1, 2008 who serves at the pleasure of the presiding justice of the superior 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.

(b)(1) The administrator/magistrate shall have the power to hear and determine such matters as may be assigned to the administrator/magistrate by the presiding justice all to the same effect as if done by a justice of the superior court.

(2) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing powers and authority, the administrator/magistrate is authorized and empowered to hear and determine motions in civil and criminal proceedings, formal and special causes, to conduct arraignments, to grant or deny bail, to accept pleas of not guilty, guilty, or nolo contendere, and to impose sentence on a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, all to the same effect as if done by a justice of the superior court.

(c) The administrator/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 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 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 institution, if an adult, or at the Rhode Island training school for youth, if a child, until the next session of the court.

(d) A party aggrieved by an order entered by the administrator/magistrate shall be entitled to a review of the order by a justice of the superior court. Unless otherwise provided in the rules of procedure of the court, the 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 the administrator/magistrate, and for enforcement of contempt adjudications of the administrator/magistrate.

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

(f) The administrator/magistrate shall be:

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

(2) Subject to all provisions of the canons of judicial ethics;

(3) Subject to all criminal laws relative to judges by virtue of §§ 11-7-1 and 11-7-2.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-16-13.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-16 / Section 8-16-13.1
§ 8-16-13.1. Related judicial proceedings  Confidentiality.
Status: in_force

Judicial proceedings in aid of or ancillary to a public hearing of the commission shall be open to the public, and all papers filed in connection with such judicial proceedings shall be public documents. All other judicial proceedings in aid of or ancillary to a commission proceeding, and all papers filed in connection with such judicial proceedings, shall be confidential.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-16-8 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-16 / Section 8-16-8
§ 8-16-8. Discipline of judges upon indictment or conviction for a crime.
Status: in_force

(a) The supreme court on its own motion shall suspend, pending the prosecution of an appeal, any judge of any court when it is shown by the certified record of a court of competent jurisdiction that he or she either pleaded guilty or no contest or was found guilty of a crime punishable as a felony under the laws of this state, any other state, or the United States, or of any other crime that involves moral turpitude. The suspension shall be without compensation, except where the judge involved is a justice of the supreme court. Whenever, upon appeal, the conviction is reversed, the suspension shall terminate and the judge involved shall be paid the salary that would have been paid him or her during the period of suspension.

(b) Where, after an appeal, a conviction has become final, the judge involved shall be removed from office either by the supreme court in appropriate cases or, in the case of a justice of the supreme court, by action pursuant to the provisions of § 8-16-7(b).

(c) A judge is hereby disqualified and prohibited from performing his or her judicial duties while there is pending against him or her an indictment charging him or her with the commission of a crime punishable as a felony under the laws of this state, any other state, or the United States. The suspension shall be without loss of compensation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-18-2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-18 / Section 8-18-2
§ 8-18-2. Universal summons.
Status: in_force

All state agencies and municipalities that have law enforcement powers shall be issued and authorized a form for summons and complaint to be used for all violations specified in chapters 27, 41.1 and 41.2 of title 31 and no other summons shall be substituted except as provided by § 31-12-12. All fines, assessments, fees, and other financial charge or any other responsibility not changed by the following shall be deemed enforceable even when the summons is issued by a municipality and adjudicated by a municipal court, or issued by state agencies or a municipality without a court and adjudicated by the traffic tribunal. All summonses, once issued, must be recorded by the traffic tribunal prior to a hearing, arraignment, or trial. If the summons is answered by payment without personal appearance pursuant to § 31-41.1-2, it shall be recorded by the traffic tribunal upon return from the financial institution.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-16-4 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-16 / Section 8-16-4
§ 8-16-4. Employment of personnel  Investigation of unfitness.
Status: in_force

(a) The commission is empowered hereby to engage the services of legal, secretarial, clerical, and investigative employees and to make such other expenditures as are necessary for the effective performance of its functions.

(b) The commission, upon receiving from any person a verified statement, not unfounded or frivolous, alleging facts indicating that a justice of the supreme court, the superior court, the family court, the district court, the workers compensation court, or the traffic tribunal, or a probate judge in any city or town in the state is guilty of a violation of the canons of judicial ethics, or of willful or persistent failure to perform his or her duties, disabling addiction to alcoholic beverages, drugs, or narcotics, or conduct that brings the judicial office into serious disrepute, or that such a judge has a physical or mental disability that seriously interferes and will continue to interfere with the performance of his or her duties, shall make a preliminary investigation to determine whether formal proceedings shall be instituted and a hearing held. The commission may, on its initiative, make a preliminary investigation, without receiving a verified statement, to determine whether formal proceedings shall be instituted and a public hearing held.

(c) If the preliminary investigation discloses that a charge of judicial unfitness of the kind mentioned in this section is supported by substantial evidence, it shall direct that a public hearing thereon be held, and the judge shall be notified of the investigation, the nature of the charge, and the time and place set for a hearing thereon. The judge shall have the right to counsel and to confront witnesses against him or her and shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to present such matters in defense as he or she may choose. The notice shall be given by prepaid registered or certified mail addressed to the judge at his or her chambers or his or her last known place of residence. The judge shall file a written answer to the charges within twenty (20) days after the notice has been served upon him or her. Allegations contained in the notice that are not denied in the answer shall be deemed admitted. The notice and the answer shall be public documents. The judge shall attend the public hearing without the necessity of a subpoena being served upon him or her; and, if he or she is called as a witness by the commission at the public hearing, he or she shall take the witness stand and shall testify in the same manner as if under subpoena.

(d) If the preliminary investigation discloses that there exists a violation of the canons of judicial ethics and that violation is not one of a serious nature, the commission may in its discretion issue a private reprimand to the judge. The private reprimand shall caution the judge that the conduct complained of, if continued, may be the cause for discipline. The private reprimand shall include a statement of the facts found by the commission, as a result of the preliminary investigation, and may issue confidential suggestions and recommendations with respect to the judge. Any judge issued a private reprimand shall have the right to appeal the private reprimand within ten (10) days and request a hearing before the commission with the same rights accorded by this section; provided, however, that the hearing shall not be open to the public, and all evidence and proceedings relating to the private reprimand shall be kept confidential.

(e) Upon completion of the hearings, the commission may dismiss the case on the ground of insufficiency of proof or may recommend to the supreme court the censure, suspension, immediate temporary suspension, reprimand, retirement, or removal from office of the judge under investigation; provided, however, that the recommendation for the removal of a justice of the supreme court shall be subject to the provisions of § 8-16-7(b). For the purposes of this chapter, wherever the word judge appears, it shall be construed to include probate judges in the cities and towns of this state.

(f) The commission shall have the same authority to temporarily exclude all spectators from the public hearing as is possessed by justices of the superior court in criminal cases.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-3-17 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-3 / Section 8-3-17
§ 8-3-17. State contributions.
Status: in_force

The state of Rhode Island shall make its contribution for the maintaining of the system established by § 8-3-16 and providing the annuities, benefits, and retirement allowances in accordance with the provisions of this chapter by annually appropriating an amount that will pay a rate percent of the compensation paid after December 31, 1989, to judges engaged after December 31, 1989. The rate percent shall be computed and certified in accordance with the procedures set forth in §§ 36-8-13 and 36-10-2 under rules and regulations promulgated by the retirement board pursuant to § 36-8-3. The amounts that would have been contributed shall be deposited in a special fund and not used for any purpose on the date contributions are withheld but no later than three (3) business days following the pay period ending in which contributions were withheld.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-15-9.2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-15 / Section 8-15-9.2
§ 8-15-9.2. Information to be provided to State Controller.
Status: in_force

Each quarter the director of finance shall remit to the state controller within the department of administration data that would be necessary to enhance efforts to collect unpaid court imposed or court related fees, fines, court costs, assessments, charges and/or any other monetary obligations due and owing to the state which have been outstanding for a period of at least ninety (90) days from the date the amount was due and are not the subject of a court-ordered payment plan in good standing, or are not the subject of an appeal. This data shall include the social security numbers, valid drivers license number, and date of birth, of the persons owing the outstanding amounts, if available. 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 § 8-11-3 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-11 / Section 8-11-3
§ 8-11-3. Filing and notice of motions in supreme and superior courts.
Status: in_force

All motions in the supreme or superior court shall be in writing and, except ex parte motions, shall be filed at least sixty (60) hours, exclusive of Sundays and legal holidays, before being called for hearing; and, except in ex parte motions, notice in writing shall be served upon the attorney or solicitor of record of the opposite side, or, if there is no such attorney or solicitor of record, upon the adverse party, at least forty-eight (48) hours, exclusive of Sundays and legal holidays, before being called for hearing, unless a different time for the filing and service is fixed ex parte by a justice of the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-18-11 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-18 / Section 8-18-11
§ 8-18-11. Municipal court adherence to promulgated procedures.
Status: in_force

All municipal courts which shall hear and decide traffic matters pursuant to the authority of this chapter shall do so in a manner consistent with the procedures of the traffic tribunal. If it shall appear to the chief magistrate of the traffic tribunal that said procedures are not being followed by any municipal court he or she shall inform the municipal court in question that it appears that it is not in compliance with the procedures of the traffic tribunal. If, thereafter, the chief magistrate is not satisfied that compliance is forthcoming he shall have standing under § 8-1-2 to petition the supreme court for appropriate relief.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-7-1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-7 / Section 8-7-1
§ 8-7-1. Supreme court sessions.
Status: in_force

The supreme court shall be in session at Providence from the first Monday in October in each year to the second Monday in July in the succeeding year and at such other times as the court shall deem proper, with a recess from the third Monday in February to the first Monday in March; provided, that the court may hold sessions at other places within the state whenever it may deem advisable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-25 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-25
§ 8-2-25. Powers of supreme court justice in vacation.
Status: in_force

Any justice of the supreme court may exercise in the vacation of the superior court all the powers which may be exercised during such time by a justice of the superior court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-18-8 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-18 / Section 8-18-8
§ 8-18-8. Judicial conduct.
Status: in_force

All judges of any municipal court which exercises jurisdiction under the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to and governed by the canons of judicial ethics or code of judicial conduct in effect at the time, as prescribed by the Rhode Island supreme court, and the provisions of chapter 16 of this title.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-14 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-14
§ 8-2-14. Jurisdiction of actions at law.
Status: in_force

(a) The superior court shall have original jurisdiction of all actions at law where title to real estate or some right or interest therein is in issue, except actions for possession of tenements let or held at will or by sufferance; and shall have exclusive original jurisdiction of all other actions at law in which the amount in controversy shall exceed the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000); and shall also have concurrent original jurisdiction with the district court in all other actions at law in which the amount in controversy exceeds the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) and does not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000); provided, that the plaintiff shall not recover costs unless he or she shall recover in such action not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or unless the action is one in which the title to real estate or some right or interest therein is in question, or unless in the discretion of the court, on motion, costs are awarded. If an action is brought in the superior court which is within 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 within the jurisdiction conferred by this section or are subsequently made a part thereof under applicable procedural rules.

(b) The superior court shall also have concurrent original jurisdiction, with the probate courts, of the change of names of those persons eighteen (18) years of age or older who have been convicted of any misdemeanor or felony.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-16-4.3 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-16 / Section 8-16-4.3
§ 8-16-4.3. Compelling evidence in commission proceedings  Immunity.
Status: in_force

Whenever a witness refuses, on the basis of his or her privilege against self-incrimination, to answer a question or to produce other evidence of any kind during a preliminary investigation or at a deposition or at a public hearing, the chairperson may, upon a majority vote of a quorum of the commission, submit a written request to the presiding justice of the superior court to order the witness to answer the question or produce the evidence; provided, however, that if the presiding justice is the subject of the commission proceeding in question, then the request shall be made to the senior associate justice of the superior court. The court, in its discretion, after notice to the witness, may order the witness to answer the question or produce the evidence. The witness may not refuse to comply with the order on the basis of his or her privilege against self-incrimination, but the witness shall not be prosecuted or subjected to penalty or forfeiture for, or on account of, any transaction or matter regarding which, in accordance with the order, he or she gave answer or produced evidence; and no testimony or other evidence compelled under the order, or any information directly or indirectly derived from the testimony or other evidence, shall be used against the witness in any criminal case, except he or she may be prosecuted or subjected to penalty or forfeiture for any perjury, false swearing, or contempt committed in answering or failing to answer, or in producing or failing to produce evidence, in accordance with the order. If a request for an order pursuant to this section relates to the refusal of a witness at a public hearing to answer a question or to produce evidence, then the papers filed with and proceedings before the court shall be open to the public; otherwise, such papers and proceedings shall be confidential. No order entered pursuant to this section shall operate to vacate, modify, or otherwise prevent the enforcement of any conviction, judgment, or sentence entered by any court against the witness prior to the grant of immunity, unless the order entered pursuant to this section expressly so provides.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-3-7.2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-3 / Section 8-3-7.2
§ 8-3-7.2. 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 § 8-3-7.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-1-2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-1 / Section 8-1-2
§ 8-1-2. Jurisdiction and powers of court.
Status: in_force

The supreme court shall have general supervision of all courts of inferior jurisdiction to correct and prevent errors and abuses therein when no other remedy is expressly provided; it may issue writs of habeas corpus, of error, certiorari, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto and all other extraordinary and prerogative writs and processes necessary for the furtherance of justice and the due administration of the law; it may entertain informations in the nature of quo warranto and petitions in equity to determine title to any office; it shall have jurisdiction of petitions for trials and new trials, as provided by law, of bills of exceptions, appeals and certifications to the supreme court, and special cases in which parties having adversary interests concur in stating questions for the opinion of the court as provided by law; and it shall by general or special rules regulate the admission of attorneys to practice in all the courts of the state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-13-2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-13 / Section 8-13-2
§ 8-13-2. Appointment of members  Vacancies.
Status: in_force

In the month of January in each year, the governor shall appoint two (2) persons, qualified as provided in § 8-13-1, to succeed the members of the council whose offices shall next expire, to hold office for three (3) years and until their respective successors shall be appointed and qualified. Any vacancy that shall occur in the membership of the council shall be filled by another appointment by the governor for the remainder of the term.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-9 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-9
§ 8-9-9. General probate jurisdiction.
Status: in_force

Every probate court shall have jurisdiction in the town or city in which it is established of the probate of wills; the granting of administration, the appointment of custodians, of administrators, of guardians of persons and estates, or of persons only or of estates only, and of conservators; the accepting and allowing of bonds, inventories, and accounts of executors, administrators, and guardians; the granting of leave to sell at public or private sale, or to mortgage property, as hereinafter provided; of the making of partition of the real estate of deceased persons; of the adoption of persons eighteen (18) years of age or older; of change of names of persons; of the removal or filling of a vacancy of a trustee of any trust established under a will, or the termination of such trust; of setting off and allowing real estate and personal property to widows and surviving husbands; and of all other matters now within the jurisdiction of probate courts. The court shall have power to accept the resignation of, or to remove, any custodian, executor, administrator, or guardian, or any other person appointed by the court, and also power to do and transact all matters and things incidental to the jurisdiction and powers vested in probate courts by law. Every probate court shall have the power to follow the course of equity insofar as necessary to fulfill the mandates of title 33 of the General Laws, specifically: the replacement, removal, or filling of any vacancy of any trustee under a trust established under a will; or tax minimization or estate planning under § 33-15-37.1. The jurisdiction assumed in any case by the court, so far as it depends on the place of residence of a person, shall not be contested in any suit or proceedings except in the original case or on appeal therein or when the want of jurisdiction appears on the record.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-3-3 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-3 / Section 8-3-3
§ 8-3-3. Vacancy in office or inability of chief justice of supreme court.
Status: in_force

Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of chief justice of the supreme court, or whenever the chief justice shall be unable, by reason of illness or absence, to perform the duties of his or her office, the associate justice of the supreme 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.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-7-10 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-7 / Section 8-7-10
§ 8-7-10. Superior court always open for business.
Status: in_force

The superior court shall be always open for the transaction of all business; but no business shall be transacted on Sunday or on a legal holiday, unless the court shall deem it necessary, with the exception of the twenty-second day of February (as Washingtons birthday) and the fourth day of May (as Rhode Island Independence Day).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-7-2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-7 / Section 8-7-2
§ 8-7-2. Sessions of superior court.
Status: in_force

The superior court shall be in session every year as follows:

(1) At Providence, for the counties of Providence and Bristol, on a continuous basis; provided, that the presiding justice shall determine the duration of the various court calendars;

(2) Within and for the county of Newport, for a period of not less than thirty-six (36) weeks during the court year;

(3) Within and for the county of Kent, for a period of not less than thirty-six (36) weeks during the court year;

(4) Within and for the county of Washington, for a period of not less than thirty-six (36) weeks during the court year;

(5) At such other times and places as the presiding justice shall fix and determine; provided, that the superior court held within and for the counties of Providence and Bristol shall from time to time make up lists of causes to be tried at Woonsocket and shall sit at Woonsocket for a term of not less than twelve (12) weeks during the court year; and provided, further, that any trial in any of the counties commenced within any regular or special session may be continued thereafter with the consent of the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-15-9.3 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-15 / Section 8-15-9.3
§ 8-15-9.3. Public inspection of court payments owed.
Status: in_force

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the director of the finance section on a quarterly basis shall prepare a list of the one hundred (100) delinquent persons who owe the largest amount of court-imposed or court-related fees, fines, court costs, assessments, charges, and/or any other monetary obligations due and owing to the state that have been unpaid for a period in excess of ninety (90) days from the date that any such amounts were due and are not the subject of a court-ordered payment plan in good standing. (The above fees are hereinafter referred to as overdue court fees.) The list shall contain the name, city or town, and state of each person who owes overdue court fees as of the end of the quarter, together with the total amount owed, and the date of disposition. No person owing overdue court fees shall be included on such list if the underlying matter in which overdue court fees were imposed, or the amount of the fees, is the subject of an appeal.

(b) [Deleted by P.L. 2016, ch. 35, § 1 and P.L. 2016, ch. 36, § 1].

(c) Any such list prepared by the director of finance shall be available to the public for inspection and shall be published on the website that is maintained by the courts; provided, however, that any such list prepared by the director shall not include any individuals social security number or drivers license number.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-3 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-3
§ 8-9-3. Providence probate court.
Status: in_force

The probate court of the city of Providence shall be the probate court for the city.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-39.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-39.1
§ 8-2-39.1. Special magistrate.
Status: in_force

There is hereby created within the superior court the position of special magistrate, who shall be appointed by the presiding justice of the superior court, with the advice and consent of the senate, for a period of ten (10) years, and until a successor is appointed and qualified. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prohibit the reappointment of a special magistrate for one or more additional ten (10) year terms, subject to the advice and consent of the senate. The person appointed to serve as special magistrate shall be a member of the bar of the state of Rhode Island. The special magistrate shall have the duties, responsibilities, powers and benefits as authorized in § 8-2-39.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-16-7.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-16 / Section 8-16-7.1
§ 8-16-7.1. Confidentiality of supreme court review of recommendation of private reprimand.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 8-16-6 and 8-16-7, all papers filed with, proceedings before, and decisions of the supreme court on review of a commission recommendation of a private reprimand pursuant to § 8-16-4(d) shall be kept confidential.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-18-6 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-18 / Section 8-18-6
§ 8-18-6. Joint violation fines  Distribution of funds.
Status: in_force

Cities or towns with municipal courts shall dedicate four dollars ($4.00) for reimbursement from each summons to the general fund. Cities or towns without a municipal court shall dedicate six dollars ($6.00) for reimbursement from each summons to the general fund. State agencies shall dedicate twenty-two dollars ($22.00) from each summons to the general fund. Provided that cities, towns and state agencies shall also dedicate all revenues generated directly as a result of fee increases effective July 1, 2002, July 1, 2008, and July 1, 2025, to the general fund.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-27 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-27
§ 8-8-27. Refund suits.
Status: in_force

(a) Any taxpayer may bring an action for a refund of taxes previously overpaid. The suit for refund may not be brought prior to the date of a final determination by the tax administrator denying the claim for refund. No action for a refund of tax shall be brought after the expiration of thirty (30) days from a notice of final determination of the tax administrator denying the claimed refund.

(b) As used in this section and § 8-8-28, tax includes any surcharge imposed under § 1-6-2, and taxpayer includes an operator as defined in § 1-6-1.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-8 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-8
§ 8-10-8. Medical, psychological, and other expert assistance.
Status: in_force

The department of human services shall provide for the family court the services of such physicians, psychiatrists, experts, and consultants approved by the court as shall be necessary to accomplish the purposes for which the court is established.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-13.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-13.1
§ 8-2-13.1. Retaining equity jurisdiction during arbitration.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding the existence of any agreement providing for the resolution of disputes, contract violations, or grievances by way of arbitration or other statutory means, the superior court shall have equity jurisdiction to issue temporary restraining orders and injunctions to maintain the status quo as it existed prior to the action which is the subject matter of the dispute pending resolution of the matter through arbitration and/or statutory means. The courts decision to grant or not to grant a temporary restraining order and/or injunction shall not be considered by the arbitrator in resolving the dispute.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-7 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-7
§ 8-9-7. Duties of probate clerk.
Status: in_force

The probate clerk shall attend the meetings of the probate court and shall record its proceedings and also all wills, administrations, inventories, accounts, decrees, orders, determinations, and other writings, which shall be made, granted, or decreed upon by the probate court of the town or city, and shall have the custody and safekeeping of the seal of the court and of all the books and papers belonging to the probate office, and of any stenographic or electronic recording of any probate court proceedings made by the probate clerk, and shall not act as attorney before the court of which he or she is clerk. Provided, that the probate clerk shall be required to retain stenographic and electronic recordings of any probate court proceedings only for one year from the date of the hearing.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-10.2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-10.2
§ 8-8-10.2. State contributions.
Status: in_force

The state of Rhode Island shall make its contribution for the maintaining of the system established by § 8-8-10.1 and providing the annuities, benefits, and retirement allowances in accordance with the provisions of this chapter by annually appropriating an amount that will pay a rate percent of the compensation paid after December 31, 1989, to judges engaged after December 31, 1989. The rate percent shall be computed and certified in accordance with the procedures set forth in § 36-8-13 and § 36-10-2 under rules and regulations promulgated by the retirement board pursuant to § 36-8-3 and shall be transmitted on the date contributions are withheld but no later than three (3) business days following the pay period ending in which contributions were withheld.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-15.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-15.1
§ 8-2-15.1. Gun court calendar.
Status: in_force

(a) Findings and declarations. The General Assembly finds that:

(1) There has been significant growth in the use of firearms in the commission of violent crimes.

(2) Many of the shootings are drug or gang related and endanger law abiding citizens.

(3) Many of the gun offenses are committed while individuals are free on bail for other offenses.

(4) The growing number of gun related offenses constitutes a burden upon the state of Rhode Island and threatens the domestic tranquility of the state and its people, especially residents of the urban areas where these crimes are most prevalent.

(5) In order to deter the use of firearms in the commission of violent crime, and to protect the law abiding public, there must be swift disposition of gun related offenses in our courts, and there must be the certain prospect of prison terms for those who are convicted of such crimes.

(b) Declaration of policy. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state of Rhode Island to provide maximum safety and security to its people from unlawful gun related violence and intrusion upon their persons and property by expediting the processing and disposition of such cases and, unless otherwise provided, imposing prison terms that must be served.

(c) Establishment. To accomplish this purpose in an effort to minimize delay in the processing of criminal cases in the superior court for the counties of Providence and Bristol relating to the illegal possession and use of guns and other dangerous weapons, there shall be established a separate calendar within the jurisdiction of the superior court for the counties of Providence and Bristol for hearing trial and disposition of actions brought pursuant to §§ 11-47-3, 11-47-5, 11-47-5.1, 11-47-8, 11-47-24, 12-13-1.2, and 12-19-21.

(d) Gun court calendar. (1) The presiding justice of the superior court shall create a gun court calendar in the superior court for the counties of Providence and Bristol and shall assign personnel to the extent warranted to exclusively hear and decide all criminal actions involving offenses committed in Providence and Bristol counties and brought pursuant to violations of the provisions of §§ 11-47-5, 11-47-5.1, 11-47-8, and 11-47-24 set forth in subsection (c), and it shall be referred to as the gun court calendar of the superior court for the counties of Providence and Bristol. (2) The gun court calendar of the superior court for the counties of Providence and Bristol shall also have concurrent jurisdiction with any other calendar of the superior court for the counties of Providence and Bristol to hear and decide all criminal actions involving offenses brought pursuant to violations of the provisions of §§ 11-47-3, 12-13-1.2, and 12-19-21, so long as the criminal action involves the possession, threatened use, or use of a firearm.

(e) Time for trial. All trials in the superior court for the counties of Providence and Bristol involving offenses brought pursuant to the sections as set forth in subsection (c) shall be scheduled for trial on the gun court calendar in the superior court for the counties of Providence and Bristol within sixty (60) days of the completion of discovery. No continuances or postponements shall be granted except for good cause shown. Such continuances as are necessary shall be granted for the shortest practicable time.

(f) Use of section. Under no circumstances shall the defendant(s) be permitted to use this section as a basis for a dismissal of an action, as this section is enacted for the benefit and convenience of the superior court for the counties of Providence and Bristol in the assignment of its actions for trial.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-3-13 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-3 / Section 8-3-13
§ 8-3-13. Pension for surviving spouses or domestic partners of judges dying prior to May 10, 1974.
Status: in_force

Whenever any justice of the superior court, having served as a justice for at least seven (7) years who died prior to May 10, 1974 during active service, his or her surviving spouse or domestic partner shall receive annually thereafter, during his or her lifetime and so long as he or she remains unmarried or not in a domestic partnership, an amount equal to one-third ( ) of the annual payment that the justice was receiving by way of salary or retirement pay at the time of his or her death.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-16-7 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-16 / Section 8-16-7
§ 8-16-7. Power of the supreme court to discipline, suspend, or remove judges.
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever the commission shall have recommended reprimand, censure, suspension, immediate temporary suspension, removal, or retirement of a judge from office and filed its findings and recommendations with the chief justice of the supreme court, and those recommendations have been affirmed or modified, after compliance has been had with the provisions of § 8-16-6 providing for a review of the recommendations by the supreme court, that court shall and hereby is empowered to take such action and to issue such process as may be required to give effect to the recommendations of the commission as affirmed or modified. Orders entered by the supreme court pursuant to this subsection shall be public and shall be published in the same manner as other orders of the supreme court.

(b) Whenever the commission shall recommend the removal of a justice of the supreme court from office and the recommendation has been approved after compliance has been had with the provisions of § 8-16-6 providing for a review of the recommendations by the supreme court, that court shall thereupon transmit its findings and recommendation to the speaker of the house of representatives recommending therein the initiation of proceedings for the removal of the justice of the supreme court pursuant to the provisions of article X, § 4, and article XI of the constitution of this state, providing for the impeachment or removal of justices of the supreme court.

(c) Whenever the supreme court shall, upon review, reject a recommendation of the commission, it shall set forth its reasons therefor in a written decision which shall be public and shall be published in the same manner as other decisions of the supreme court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-11 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-11
§ 8-2-11. Administrative clerk.
Status: in_force

There shall be an administrative clerk in the superior court, who shall be appointed by the presiding justice in his or her capacity as administrative judge and who shall hold office at the pleasure of the administrative judge. The clerk shall perform such duties and attend to such matters as may be assigned to him or her by the administrative judge.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-45 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-45
§ 8-10-45. Severability.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter are severable, and if any of its provisions shall be held unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, the decision of that court shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-7 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-7
§ 8-8-7. Judges  Temporary service in other courts.
Status: in_force

(a) A district court judge shall devote full time to his or her judicial duties. He or she shall not practice law while holding office, nor shall he or she be a partner or associate of any person in the practice of law.

(b) A district court judge shall be eligible to sit in any division, and, on assignment by the chief justice of the supreme court, shall be eligible to sit for temporary periods in the superior and family courts. A district court judge sitting in the superior or family court shall receive the same salary as a superior or family court judge would receive, and if the district court judge sits for only a portion of a two (2) week pay period in those courts, he or she shall be paid for the entire two (2) week period at the higher rate of pay.

(c) A district court judge, subject to the approval of the chief justice of the supreme court, the presiding justice of the superior court and the chief judge of the district court, may serve on the superior court calendar to preside over district court de novo appeals. A district court judge sitting in the superior court presiding over district court de novo appeals shall receive the same salary as a superior court judge would receive.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-32 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-32
§ 8-8-32. Review by supreme court.
Status: in_force

Any party in interest, if aggrieved by a final judgment rendered in proceedings brought under this chapter, may within twenty (20) days from the date of entry of the judgment petition the supreme court of the state of Rhode Island for a writ of certiorari to review any questions of law involved. The petition for 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 proceeding under review.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-15 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-15
§ 8-2-15. Criminal jurisdiction.
Status: in_force

The superior court shall have original jurisdiction of all crimes, offenses, and misdemeanors, except as otherwise provided by law, and shall sentence all persons found guilty before it to the punishment prescribed by law. All indictments found by grand juries shall be returned into the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-4-1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-4 / Section 8-4-1
§ 8-4-1. Clerk of supreme court.
Status: in_force

There shall be a clerk of the supreme court, with an office in Providence.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-18-5 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-18 / Section 8-18-5
§ 8-18-5. Administration of funds.
Status: in_force

The cities and towns and the state shall enter into an agreement which will authorize the transfer of funds and guarantee against misuse, misdirection, and nontransference of funds owed to the appropriate jurisdiction by means of a financial institution compact.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-7-7 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-7 / Section 8-7-7
§ 8-7-7. Adjournment in absence of quorum or presiding justice.
Status: in_force

In the absence of a quorum of the supreme court, the justices in attendance may adjourn. In case of the absence of any justice of the superior court from any trial pending before him or her, any other justice of the court may adjourn the trial.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-1
§ 8-2-1. Composition.
Status: in_force

There shall be a superior court which shall consist of a presiding justice and twenty-one (21) associate justices.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-23.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-23.1
§ 8-10-23.1. Statewide juvenile hearing board.
Status: in_force

(a) The chief judge of the family court shall appoint a statewide juvenile hearing board coordinator who is 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 chief judge. The juvenile hearing board coordinator shall provide education, training, data collection and analysis, coordination, and assistance to cities and towns in the establishment and maintenance of juvenile hearing boards and teen courts. Juvenile hearing boards and/or teen courts shall report any data deemed necessary by the family court to perform the functions of the juvenile hearing board coordinator. No juvenile hearing board or teen court in the State of Rhode Island shall hear, or dispose of offenses that constitute felony offenses if committed by an adult, except by the express written consent of the chief justice of the family court; nor shall any juvenile hearing board or teen court hear or dispose of any offense which has been amended from a felony offense to a misdemeanor offense, except by the express written consent of the chief justice of the family court. Juveniles, wherever they may live, upon a decision to refer the juvenile to the juvenile hearing board or teen court, shall be referred to the hearing board or teen court in the city or town where the offense was committed; provided, however, if the city or town does not have a hearing board or teen court, the juvenile shall be referred to the hearing board or teen court where the juvenile resides. The Statewide hearing board coordinator is responsible for setting up a statewide community service program which may be utilized by any hearing board or teen court.

(b) The position of statewide juvenile hearing board coordinator is a pilot program which shall commence on July 1, 1998 and terminate on June 30, 2001, unless extended by the general assembly.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-36 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-36
§ 8-10-36. Court reporters and court recording clerks  Supplies and preservation of notes and other materials.
Status: in_force

All books, papers, recording media, and supplies necessary for the use of the court reporters and court recording clerks or similar recording personnel shall be furnished by the state, and the notebooks used and notes and recordings taken by them shall be the property of the state and be deposited with the clerk of the family court, provided, that the clerks shall not be required to preserve the notebooks and notes and recordings beyond the period of fifteen (15) years.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-4-17 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-4 / Section 8-4-17
§ 8-4-17. Appointment of assistant superior court clerks  Employment of clerical assistance by the presiding justice.
Status: in_force

(a) The presiding justice shall appoint as many assistant clerks as may be necessary, who shall hold office until removed by the presiding justice.

(b) The presiding justice is hereby authorized and empowered to employ such clerical assistance in addition to assistant clerks as may be required in the clerks office in copying, recording, indexing, and attending upon the files of the court, 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 in payment for such assistance, upon proper vouchers approved and certified by the presiding justice or his or her designee.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-1.2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-1.2
§ 8-8-1.2. Mental health treatment calendar.
Status: in_force

(a) Findings and declarations. The general assembly finds and declares as follows:

(1) Mental illness is a prevalent and persistent issue in Rhode Island within the criminal population in general and the incarcerated population in particular. Approximately one-fifth ( 1 / 5 ) of all inmates at the adult correctional institutions have a diagnosed mental illness, while nearly eighty percent (80%) have a history of substance abuse. Many suffer from both maladies.

(2) Mental illness can often go unrecognized and untreated, leaving some individuals to suffer and spiral downward until they are caught in the criminal justice system. These individuals often become trapped in a cycle of repeated prosecution and incarceration.

(3) Individuals with mental illness who are charged with crimes can benefit from alternatives to incarceration when feasible, and when permitted to obtain proper treatment for persistent mental health and substance abuse disorders through a jail diversion treatment program that recognizes their special set of circumstances while at the same time providing accountability for their wrongdoing and providing for the safety of the public.

(b) The district court shall create a voluntary mental health treatment calendar to better address individuals who suffer from mental illness and are charged with a misdemeanor. The district court will provide the tools and skills necessary to address these individuals unique challenges thus helping them develop the insight needed to reintegrate successfully into society and maintain a productive and law-abiding lifestyle within the community.

(c) There shall be established, funded, and staffed a mental health alternative sentencing and treatment calendar within the jurisdiction of the district court for hearing, addressing, and disposing of certain misdemeanor offenses in an effort to direct eligible defendants into a court program that integrates support and treatment plans with the judicial process, potentially resulting in alternatives to traditional prosecution, sentencing, and incarceration; reducing the risk of recidivism; and realizing cost savings for the state and increasing public safety. Successful completion may result in a full dismissal of charges or in reduced charges and alternative sentencing. The mental health treatment calendar shall be overseen by a district court judge to be appointed pursuant to chapter 16.1 of this title, subject to an appropriation made by the general assembly.

(d) The chief judge of the district court shall create a mental health treatment calendar in the district court and shall assign a district court judge and associated personnel to the extent necessary to hear and decide all criminal actions involving offenses committed by defendants accepted into the program. [The calendar shall be called the mental health treatment calendar.]

(e) An eligible defendant is any person who stands charged in a district court complaint with one or more misdemeanors, and:

(1) Suffers from a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder resulting in serious functional impairment which substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities; and

(2) Is determined by the court to be appropriate for participation in the mental health treatment calendar.

(3) An individuals history of substance and alcohol abuse may also be considered to the extent necessary to make a proper diagnosis of a co-occurring disorder.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-20 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-20
§ 8-8-20. Sale of blank writs prohibited.
Status: in_force

No judge or clerk of the district court shall sell any blank writ officially signed by him or her to any person except an attorney at law or deliver to any person other than an attorney at law any such writ with permission, in the absence of the judge or clerk to fill or cause the writ to be filled, under a penalty of ten dollars ($10.00) for each offense and ineligibility to serve as a judge or clerk of the district court after conviction.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-6-5 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-6 / Section 8-6-5
§ 8-6-5. Arbitration of civil actions.
Status: in_force

The presiding justice of the superior court may promulgate rules and regulations providing for compulsory and/or noncompulsory nonbinding arbitration of such category or categories of civil actions filed in, or appealed to, the superior court as he or she shall determine. The matter shall be heard by a single arbitrator who shall be selected by mutual agreement of the plaintiff(s) and defendant(s). If, after thirty (30) days, the plaintiff(s) and defendant(s) are unable to agree upon the selection of an arbitrator, a justice of the superior court shall select the arbitrator upon request in writing from either party. The costs of arbitration shall be borne by the Rhode Island state court system and a reasonable cost of the arbitration, not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) per case, may be assessed and apportioned to each of the parties by the superior court pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the presiding justice of the superior court consistent with § 8-6-6. The assessed costs received from the parties shall be deposited into the general fund. Any party dissatisfied with the decision of the arbitrator may demand a trial by jury if one was timely claimed in the complaint or answer, or a trial by judge if no jury trial was claimed. The decision of the arbitrator shall not be admissible at the trial. The court may require a party who rejects an arbitrators award and demands a trial to post a three hundred dollar ($300) filing fee and pay a technology surcharge in accordance with § 8-15-11. The filing fee shall be posted with the superior court arbitration office and deposited into an arbitration fund restricted-receipt account established under the control of the state court director of finance. The arbitration funds shall not be subject to the indirect cost recoveries provisions set forth in § 35-4-27. If more than one party rejects the arbitrators award and demands a trial, the filing fee, first received in the arbitration office, shall designate the party rejecting the award. Should the verdict at trial be more favorable to the party than the arbitrators award, the filing fee shall be reimbursed to that party. Should the verdict be equal to, or less favorable to, the party than the arbitrators award, the filing fee posted shall be forfeited as a sanction. If forfeited as a sanction, the fee shall remain available for program expenses from the arbitration fund restricted-receipt account. The presiding justice of the superior court shall be authorized to retain the services of qualified arbitrators and to direct payment for such services and other related expenses from the arbitration fund restricted-receipt account and may appoint an administrator of the arbitration program for a ten-year (10) term and until a successor is appointed and qualified.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-4-8 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-4 / Section 8-4-8
§ 8-4-8. General duties of clerks.
Status: in_force

The superior court clerks shall constantly attend the sittings of their respective courts, shall keep the seal, books, and papers thereof, shall collect and receive all fines and costs in criminal cases, and all court fees in civil cases and shall account therefor as required by law, shall make fair entries and records of all the proceedings, judgments, orders, and decrees therein either in writing or by means of an electronic storage system or other data compilation system, shall furnish stationery to be allowed by the court for the use of the court, and shall do and perform all other things which by law or the rules of the court shall appertain to their office.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-1-9 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-1 / Section 8-1-9
§ 8-1-9. Judicial conference of Rhode Island.
Status: in_force

There is hereby established a judicial conference to be known as the judicial conference of Rhode Island, consisting of all the justices of the supreme, superior, and district courts and the family court of the state and of such other members as the supreme court may from time to time determine, for the consideration of matters relating to judicial business, the improvement of the judicial system, and the administration of justice. The supreme court shall by rule provide for the organization and conduct of the conference. The general assembly shall annually appropriate such sums as shall be necessary to carry out the purposes of this section, 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 presiding justice.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-16-12 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-16 / Section 8-16-12
§ 8-16-12. Rules of practice and procedure  Confidentiality of proceedings.
Status: in_force

The supreme court shall make and promulgate rules governing the practice and procedure under this chapter before the commission, and the supreme court shall insure the confidentiality of all proceedings involving complaints against a member of the judiciary, except for those proceedings that are expressly made public by this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-18-10 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-18 / Section 8-18-10
§ 8-18-10. Exclusive jurisdiction.
Status: in_force

The universal summons shall also be used for any violations of those sections not listed in § 8-18-3; provided, however that the following violations shall remain the exclusive jurisdiction of the traffic tribunal or the other state courts and shall not be within the jurisdiction of any municipal court:
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-13-4 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-13 / Section 8-13-4
§ 8-13-4. Powers and duties.
Status: in_force

The judicial council may from time to time submit for the consideration of the justices of the various courts such suggestions in regard to the judicial system of the state as it may deem advisable, and it shall report annually to the governor on or before December the fifteenth upon such matters as it desires to bring to his or her attention or to the attention of the general assembly.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-1.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-1.1
§ 8-8-1.1. Veterans treatment calendar.
Status: in_force

(a) Findings and declarations. The general assembly finds and declares as follows:

(1) Veterans and active military, Reserve, and National Guard service members have provided, or are currently providing, an invaluable service to our country. In doing so, many return and suffer from mental health injuries, including, but not limited to, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, acute stress, and other injuries that may affect brain function and may also suffer drug and alcohol dependency or co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse problems.

(2) The call back to active duty status rate of Rhode Islands National Guard is the second highest in the entire United States with over ten thousand (10,000) unit deployments.

(3) The number of veterans living in Rhode Island who have served in the Gulf Wars is three (3) times higher than the national per-capita average and is expected to grow as troops continue to withdraw from Afghanistan.

(4) While the vast majority of returning military do not have contact with the justice system and are well adjusted, contributing members of society, there exists a growing number of defendants appearing in the district court who have served in the United States armed forces and are involved in the criminal justice system as a result of the above-referenced diagnoses.

(5) As a grateful state, we must continue to honor the service of these participants by providing them an alternative to incarceration when feasible, permitting them instead to obtain proper treatment for mental health and substance abuse problems that have resulted from military service through a jail diversion program/treatment program that recognizes their special set of circumstances while at the same time providing accountability for their wrong doing and providing for the safety of the public.

(b) Declaration of policy. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state of Rhode Island to successfully rehabilitate participants by providing the tools and skills necessary to address their unique challenges and to develop the insight to reintegrate successfully into society and maintain a productive and law-abiding lifestyle within the community.

(c) Establishment. To accomplish this purpose in an effort to direct defendants who have served in the United States armed forces into a court program that integrates support and treatment plans with the judicial process that will result in potential jail diversion, possible reduction of charges, or alternatives in sentencing, there shall be established a separate calendar within the jurisdiction of the district court for hearing, trial and disposition of certain offenses.

(d) Veterans treatment calendar. The chief judge of the district court shall create a veterans treatment calendar in the district court and shall assign personnel to the extent warranted to exclusively hear and decide all criminal actions involving offenses committed by defendants accepted into the program, and the calendar shall be referred to as the veterans treatment court.

(e) Use of section. Under no circumstances shall the defendant(s) be permitted to use this section as a basis for a dismissal of an action, as this section is enacted for the benefit and convenience of the district court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-15 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-15
§ 8-9-15. Annulment of probate of will.
Status: in_force

When it shall appear to a probate court, pending proceedings before it for the settlement of an estate as a testate estate, that the will under which the proceedings were had has been revoked by the testator, the court shall have power to annul any order or decree proving the will so revoked and any other order or decree made by the court in the settlement of the estate under the will. The court shall have power to proceed with the settlement of the estate under a subsequent will, if there is one; or, if there is none, to grant administration on the estate and proceed with the settlement thereof as an intestate estate, after such notice to all parties in interest as the court shall order; but the preceding executor or administrator shall not be personally liable for any thing done by him or her in good faith and in the line of his or her duties before the decree of annulment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-5-2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-5 / Section 8-5-2
§ 8-5-2. Superior court secretary and assistants.
Status: in_force

The justices of the superior court, or a majority of them, may appoint a secretary of the court and five (5) assistant secretaries, who shall hold office during the pleasure of the court and shall perform such duties as may be required by the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-28 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-28
§ 8-2-28. Transfer of papers between counties.
Status: in_force

The superior court may order the papers in any cause to be sent from one county to another; and in matters heard in any county other than that in which the cause was entered, the court shall certify the proceedings to the clerk of the court in the county in which the cause was entered, and shall send to the clerk all the papers therein to be kept on file in his or her office and there recorded.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-1
§ 8-8-1. District Court established  Chief and associate justices.
Status: in_force

There is established a district court for the state of Rhode Island which shall consist of a chief judge and fourteen (14) associate judges. The district court shall be a court of record and shall have a seal with such words and devices as it shall adopt.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-18 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-18
§ 8-8-18. Failure of clerk to account for fines and costs.
Status: in_force

For any willful neglect or refusal of the clerk of the district court to account or for any willful neglect or refusal of any clerk of the district court to pay over all fines and costs received by him or her, he or she shall be fined fifty dollars ($50.00) for each offense and also double the amount of fines and costs received by him or her and so detained.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-36 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-36
§ 8-2-36. Admission to bail.
Status: in_force

The superior court may admit to bail all persons brought before it for any offense whatsoever.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-4 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-8 / Section 8-8-4
§ 8-8-4. Habeas corpus.
Status: in_force

The district court may issue writs of habeas corpus to bring before it any person in jail for trial in any civil or criminal case pending in the court, or to bring in any such person to be examined as a witness in a suit or proceeding, civil or criminal, pending in the court, that the ends of justice may be attained, and for no other purpose.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-2.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-2.1
§ 8-9-2.1. Probate judges  Qualifications.
Status: in_force

No person shall be eligible to serve as a probate judge in any city or town in this state unless he or she has been admitted to practice as an attorney before the Rhode Island supreme court and has been engaged in the active practice of law in this state. Each city or town may establish additional standards as may be determined by city or town ordinance.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-43 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-43
§ 8-10-43. References to family court  Powers and duties.
Status: in_force

Wherever in any general or public law the words juvenile court, judge of juvenile court, or chief judge of the juvenile court shall appear, the terms shall mean and include family court, justice of family court, or chief judge of the family court. Wherever in any general or public law the words domestic relations court, court of domestic relations, or judge of domestic relations court shall appear, the terms shall mean and include family court or chief judge or any associate justice of family court. Wherever in title 15 reference is made to the superior court or the court of domestic relations, that reference shall mean and include the family court. In addition to the powers and authority specifically granted in this chapter, the justices of the family court shall have, insofar as they are applicable, the same obligations and duties as superior court justices, and in all matters within the jurisdiction of the court shall be vested with all of the prerogatives and authority of associate justices of the superior court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-3-11 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-3 / Section 8-3-11
§ 8-3-11. Allowances to surviving spouses, domestic partners or minor children of deceased justices.
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever any justice of the supreme court, the superior court, the family court, or the district court who was engaged as a judge prior to January 1, 2009, dies after retirement or during active service while eligible for retirement, or during active service after having served fifteen (15) years or more in office, his or her surviving spouse or domestic partner shall receive annually thereafter, during his or her lifetime and so long as he or she remains unmarried or not in a domestic partnership, an amount equal to one-half (Â½) of the annual payment that the justice was receiving by way of salary or retirement pay at the time of his or her death. Whenever a justice of any of the courts shall die without having become eligible to retire either under §8-3-7 or 8-3-8 and has served seven (7) years or more in office, his or her surviving spouse or domestic partner shall receive annually thereafter, during his or her lifetime and so long as he or she remains unmarried or not in a domestic partnership, one-third ( 1 / 3 ) of the annual salary that the justice was receiving at the time of his or her death. Whenever a justice of the courts shall die without having become eligible to retire either under §8-3-7 or 8-3-8 and has not served seven (7) years in office, his or her surviving spouse or domestic partner shall receive annually thereafter, during his or her lifetime and so long as he or she remains unmarried or not in a domestic partnership, one-fourth (Â¼) of the annual salary that the justice was receiving at the time of his or her death.

(b) Any justice of the courts who is engaged as a judge on or after January 1, 2009, and prior to July 1, 2009 may elect to receive retirement pay that is reduced by an additional ten percent (10%) of the average of the highest three (3) consecutive years annual compensation (i.e., ninety percent (90%) reduced to eighty percent (80%) or seventy percent (70) reduced to sixty percent (60%)), and where such option is exercised by giving the general treasurer notice in writing thereof within ninety (90) days after the date of his or her retirement his or her surviving spouse or domestic partner or minor children shall receive annually one-half (Â½) of his or her retirement pay during his or her lifetime so long as he or she remains unmarried or not in a domestic partnership, or the children are under twenty-one (21) years of age provided, however, for any justice engaged on or after July 1, 2009 but prior to July 1, 2012, the reduction shall be based on the average of the highest five (5) consecutive years annual compensation.

(c)(1) Any justice of the courts who is engaged as a judge on or after July 1, 2012 and who elects to receive a retirement pay that is reduced, shall receive a lesser retirement allowance as determined by actuarial calculation, which shall be payable throughout life with the provision that:

(i) Option 1. Upon the justices death, the justices lesser retirement allowance shall be continued throughout the life of and paid to such person having an insurable interest in the justices life, as the justice shall nominate by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the retirement board at the time of his or her retirement.

(ii) Option 2. Upon the justices death, one-half (Â½) of the justices lesser retirement allowance shall be continued throughout the life of and paid to such person, having an insurable interest in the justices life, as the justice shall nominate by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the retirement board at the time of the beneficiarys retirement.

(2) For purposes of any election under this section the justice may designate more than one person to receive benefits after his or her death, provided that the designation shall specify the portion of the actuarial equivalent of the justices retirement allowance to be paid to each person, and provided further that the aggregate actuarial value of the portions shall not exceed the actuarial equivalent of the justices retirement benefit determined in the case of an election under this section as of the date of the justices retirement.

(3) A justice selecting more than one person to receive benefits under this section may only select beneficiaries from among his or her children, adopted children, step-children, and/or spouse or domestic partner.

(d) Whenever any justice of the supreme court, the superior court, the family court, or the district court who was engaged as a judge on or after January 1, 2009, dies during active service while eligible for retirement, or during active service after having served fifteen (15) years or more in office, his or her surviving spouse or domestic partner shall receive annually thereafter, during his or her lifetime and so long as he or she remains unmarried or not in a domestic partnership, an amount equal to one-half (Â½) of the annual payment that the justice was receiving by way of salary.

(e) Whenever a justice of any of the courts who was engaged as a judge on or after January 1, 2009, shall die without having become eligible to retire either under §8-3-7 or 8-3-8 and has served seven (7) years or more in office, his or her surviving spouse or domestic partner shall receive annually thereafter, during his or her lifetime and so long as he or she remains unmarried or not in a domestic partnership, one-third ( ) of the annual salary that the justice was receiving at the time of his or her death.

(f) Whenever a justice of the courts who was engaged as a judge on or after January 1, 2009, shall die without having become eligible to retire either under §8-3-7 or 8-3-8 and has not served seven (7) years or more in office, his or her surviving spouse or domestic partner shall receive annually thereafter, during his or her lifetime and so long as he or she remains unmarried or not in a domestic partnership, one-fourth (Â¼) of the annual salary that the justice was receiving at the time of his or her death.

(g) In the event the deceased justice shall have no surviving spouse or domestic partner, or the surviving spouse or domestic partner should predecease their minor children, then the benefits conferred by this section shall be received in equal shares by the minor children, if any, until each shall attain the age of twenty-one (21) years.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-6-2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-6 / Section 8-6-2
§ 8-6-2. Rules of practice and procedure.
Status: repealed

(a) The supreme court, the superior court, the family court, the district court, and the workers compensation court, by a majority of their members, shall have the power to make rules for regulating practice, procedure, and business therein. The chief magistrate of the traffic tribunal shall have the power to make rules for regulating practice, procedure, and business in the traffic tribunal. The rules of the superior, family, district court, workers compensation court, and the traffic tribunal shall be subject to the approval of the supreme court. Such rules, when effective, shall supersede any statutory regulation in conflict therewith.

(b) In prescribing such rules, the court shall have regard to the simplification of the system of pleading, practice, and procedure in the courts in which the rules shall apply in order to promote the speedy determination of litigation on the merits; provided, however, that each respective court shall not in the rules of procedure require a party to a civil action to produce either by discovery, motion to produce or interrogatory an income tax return, W-2 statement, or copies thereof. The rules presently in effect in the courts of the judicial system shall remain and continue in force and effect until revised, amended, repealed, or superseded by rules adopted in accordance with this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-5-8.1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-5 / Section 8-5-8.1
§ 8-5-8.1. Waiver of interpreter/transliterator and CART provider.
Status: in_force

(a) A non-English speaking person may at any point in the proceeding waive the right to the services of an interpreter/transliterator or a CART provider, but only when: (1) The waiver is approved by the appointing authority after explaining on the record to the non-English speaking person through an interpreter/transliterator or a CART provider the nature and effect of the waiver; (2) The appointing authority determines on the record that the waiver has been made knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily; and (3) The non-English speaking person has been afforded the opportunity to consult with his or her attorney.

(b) At any point in any proceeding or hearing, for good cause shown, a non-English speaking person may retract his or her waiver and request an interpreter/transliterator or a CART provider.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-17 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-17
§ 8-2-17. Jurisdiction of appeals, statutory proceedings, and probate matters.
Status: in_force

The superior court shall have jurisdiction of such appeals and statutory proceedings as may be provided by law, and may exercise general probate jurisdiction in all cases brought before it on appeal from probate courts, or when such jurisdiction is properly involved in suits in equity.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-4-12 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-4 / Section 8-4-12
§ 8-4-12. Appointment of clerk pro tempore.
Status: in_force

In case of the death, resignation, absence, inability, or refusal to serve of any of the superior court clerks, the chief justice, or the presiding justice of the court in which the vacancy, or inability, or refusal to serve occurs, 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.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-23.2 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-23.2
§ 8-10-23.2. Creating a juvenile hearing board.
Status: in_force

The town of North Kingstown 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 § 8-9-17 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-9 / Section 8-9-17
§ 8-9-17. Power to summon and receive evidence.
Status: in_force

Any probate court may require the attendance of any party or person, whom it may see fit to examine or cause to be examined in any proceeding pending in the court, and may examine or cause to be examined on oath parties and witnesses, either orally or on written interrogatories or both, or may receive their affidavits and may require any writings or other evidence pertinent in such proceedings to be produced before itself or otherwise, and may issue writs of subpoena ad testificandum, and of subpoena duces tecum.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-6 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-6
§ 8-2-6. Recommendations by administrative judge to chief justice.
Status: in_force

The administrative judge shall also be charged with the general responsibility for making any recommendations to the chief justice that he or she may believe important concerning the work of the superior court or any officers in any way connected therewith.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-3-8 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-3 / Section 8-3-8
§ 8-3-8. Retirement of justices on full pay  Assignment as associate justices.
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever any person engaged as a judge:

(1) On or before July 2, 1997 shall have served as a justice of the supreme court, the superior court, the family court, the district court, or any of them for twenty (20) years and has reached the age of sixty-five (65) years, or has served for fifteen (15) years, and reached the age of seventy (70) years, that justice may retire from regular active service and thereafter the justice shall receive annually during his or her life a sum equal to the annual salary the justice was receiving at the time of his or her retirement;

(2) Subsequent to July 2, 1997 and prior to January 1, 2009, shall have served as a justice of the supreme court, the superior court, the family court, the district court, or any of them for twenty (20) years and has reached the age of sixty-five (65) years, or has served for fifteen (15) years, and reached the age of seventy (70) years, said justice may retire from regular active service and thereafter said justice shall receive annually during his or her life a sum equal to his or her average highest three (3) consecutive years of compensation.

(3) On or after January 1, 2009, shall have served as a justice of the supreme court, the superior court, the family court, the district court, or any of them for twenty (20) years and has reached the age of sixty-five (65) years, or has served for fifteen (15) years, and reached the age of seventy (70) years, said justice may retire from regular active service and thereafter said justice shall receive annually during his or her life a sum equal to ninety percent (90%) of his or her average highest three consecutive years of compensation.

(4) On or after July 1, 2009, shall have served as a justice of the supreme court, the superior court, the family court, the district court, or any of them for twenty (20) years and has reached the age of sixty-five (65) years, or has served for fifteen (15) years, and reached the age of seventy (70) years, said justice may retire from regular active service and thereafter said justice shall receive annually during his or her life a sum equal to eighty percent (80%) of his or her average highest five (5) consecutive years of compensation.

(b) Whenever a justice or magistrate shall be granted a leave of absence without pay, such absence shall not be credited towards active service time for the purposes of retirement.

(c) Any justice of any of the courts who shall retire in accordance with the provisions of this section shall 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 an associate justice of the superior court, or the family court, or the district court as the presiding justice of the superior court, or the chief judge of the family court, or the district court shall prescribe. When so assigned and performing such service, the retiree shall have all the powers and authority of an associate justice of the superior court, the family court, or the district court but otherwise he or she shall have no 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 superior court, the family court, or the district court.

(d) Any justice of the supreme court who shall retire in accordance with the provisions of this section shall 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 an associate justice of the supreme court as the chief justice of the supreme court shall prescribe. When so assigned and performing such services, the retiree shall have all the powers and authority of an associate justice of the supreme court, but otherwise he or she shall have no powers nor be authorized to perform any judicial duties relating to the supreme court, except as authorized under § 8-1-1. Such a retired justice shall not be counted in the number of justices provided by law for the supreme court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-5-7 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-5 / Section 8-5-7
§ 8-5-7. Appropriations for court reporters and electronic court reporters.
Status: in_force

The general assembly shall annually appropriate such sum as it may deem necessary to compensate the stenographers, court reporters, and electronic court reporters and similar recording personnel for their services; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his or her order upon the general treasurer for the payment of that sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for that purpose, upon vouchers approved by the clerk of the superior court for the counties of Providence and Bristol.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-13-5 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-13 / Section 8-13-5
§ 8-13-5. Compensation of secretary  Expenses of council.
Status: in_force

The secretary of the council shall receive annually the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) as compensation for his or her services and the other members of the council shall serve without compensation but shall be allowed their necessary travel, clerical, and other expenses, and the general assembly shall annually appropriate such sum as it may deem necessary in carrying out the provisions of this chapter; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of such sum, or so much thereof as may from time to time be required, upon the receipt by him or her of proper vouchers approved by the chairperson of the council.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-3-20 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-3 / Section 8-3-20
§ 8-3-20. 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 § 8-7-8 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-7 / Section 8-7-8
§ 8-7-8. Adjournment of superior court by clerk.
Status: in_force

Whenever, at any time appointed for the sitting of the superior court, no justice thereof shall be in attendance, the clerk may adjourn the court from day to day until otherwise ordered by a justice of the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-16-1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-16 / Section 8-16-1
§ 8-16-1. Composition  Appointment.
Status: in_force

(a) There is hereby created a commission to be known as the commission on judicial tenure and discipline, hereinafter referred to as the commission. The commission shall consist of sixteen (16) members: three (3) of whom shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate, none of whom need be attorneys; three (3) of whom shall be appointed by the governor from a list of attorneys provided by the Rhode Island bar association with the advice and consent of the senate, that list of attorneys to include five (5) names for each member to be appointed by the governor; one attorney or public member to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, one attorney or public member who shall be appointed by the house minority leader, one attorney or public member to be appointed by the president of the senate; and one attorney or public member to be appointed by the senate minority leader; six (6) members of the judiciary appointed by the supreme court, one each from the superior, family, district, workers compensation courts, traffic tribunal and one at large member from any of the aforementioned courts shall be chairperson.

(b) No member of the commission, except the appointed members of the judiciary, shall, while serving as a member thereof, hold any public office, or be in the employ of the state of Rhode Island.

(c) The chairperson of the commission shall direct the performance of such administrative duties as may be required for the effective discharge of the obligations herein made incumbent upon the commission.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-19-1 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-19 / Section 8-19-1
§ 8-19-1. Legislative declaration  Intent.
Status: in_force

(a) It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state of Rhode Island to guarantee the rights of persons who, because of a non-English speaking background, are unable to readily understand or communicate in the English language, and who consequently need the assistance of an interpreter to be fully protected in legal proceedings in matters before the Rhode Island unified state court system. Court interpretation requires not only a full command of two (2) languages, but also a knowledge of courtroom procedure, legal vocabulary, the overall court and legal systems, and an understanding that the role of an interpreter consists not of abridging or editorializing, but of exactly interpreting every word that is spoken without emendation or amendment.

(b) It is the intent of the legislature, by the enactment of this chapter, to provide interpreters to limited-English-proficient persons in proceedings before the state courts in Rhode Island and to establish a procedure for the certification and appointment of interpreters.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-4-6 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-4 / Section 8-4-6
§ 8-4-6. Vacancies in office of superior court clerk.
Status: in_force

In case of a vacancy in the office of clerk of the superior court for the counties of Providence and Bristol, or in the office of clerk of the superior court of either of the counties of Newport, Washington, or Kent, from any cause, the presiding justice of the superior court with the advice and consent of the senate 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 § 8-1-5 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-1 / Section 8-1-5
§ 8-1-5. Reporter  Appointment and tenure.
Status: in_force

The supreme court shall appoint a reporter of the decisions and opinions of the court, who shall hold office during the pleasure of the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-40 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-2 / Section 8-2-40
§ 8-2-40. Land use calendar.
Status: in_force

(a) Findings and declarations. The general assembly finds and declares that:

(1) There are significant delays in the development permitting process in the State of Rhode Island which results in lost opportunity for the needed development of housing units and commercial development to neighboring states.

(2) Contributing to the delay were lengthy administrative appeals to local and state boards prior to appeals to superior court.

(3) Previous legislation amended the appeal process in most cases to provide a direct right of appeal to superior court.

(4) Landowners, applicants, municipalities, and abutters are entitled to decisions with respect to ordinances, regulations, decisions regarding property rights and interests that do not require years of costly appeals and litigation.

(5) There is a need for uniform treatment of such matters, and related matters that are statutorily provided with priority on the judicial calendar and expedited for decision.

(b) Establishment. To accomplish this purpose in an effort to minimize delay in the processing of land use matters in superior court, effective January 1, 2024, there shall be established a separate calendar for the administration and determination of all land use matters.

(c) Land use calendar. The presiding judge of the superior court shall create a land use calendar in superior court and shall assign personnel to the extent warranted to exclusively hear and decide all eligible land use matters, and the calendar shall be referred to as the land use calendar. Cases eligible for the land use calendar shall include appeals under §§ 45-22.2-9.1, 45-23-71, 45-23-72, 45-24-69, 45-24-71; 45-24.4-16, 45-24.6-9, 45-53-5; and 45-53-5.1. Any party may request a conference to seek assignment to the land use calendar, and acceptance of any matter in addition to the sections listed above shall be at the discretion of the judge(s) assigned to the calendar.

(d) Timing. All matters assigned to the land use calendar shall be expedited. All memoranda from all interested parties in an appeal assigned to the calendar shall be completed within sixty (60) days of the filing of the certified record. No continuances or postponements shall be granted except for good cause shown. Such continuances as are necessary shall be granted for the shortest practicable time.

(e) Use of section. Under no circumstances shall any party be permitted to utilize this section as a basis for dismissal of an action, as this section is enacted for the benefit and convenience of the superior court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-6-6 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-6 / Section 8-6-6
§ 8-6-6. Filing and publication of rules and regulations.
Status: in_force

Upon the approval of the supreme court, all rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to § 8-6-5 shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state and shall be effective upon filing unless with respect to any such rule or regulation the presiding justice of the superior court shall specify a later date as the effective date thereof, in which case the rule or regulation 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 such rules and regulations adopted since the last prior publication thereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-7 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-7
§ 8-10-7. Family counselling service.
Status: in_force

Within the family court there shall be a family counselling service, consisting of such personnel as the court shall deem necessary to assist the court in advising and counselling the parties and whose qualifications shall be established by the court. The justices of the family court or a majority of them shall be the appointing authority of the family counselling personnel. The court is specifically authorized to make use of existing private and public family and other service agencies in the functioning of the family counselling service. The family counselling service shall, where desirable, possible, and practicable, make use of the counsel and advice of a member of the clergy of the faith of each or all of the parties and shall, where desirable, possible, and practicable, consult the clergy of the parish or congregation of each of the respective parties.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-38 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-38
§ 8-10-38. Judgments, decrees, and orders  Punishment for contempt.
Status: in_force

(a) Like powers are hereby conferred upon the family court as are conferred upon the superior court by the provisions of § 8-6-1.

(b) Provided, however, a justice of the family court shall notify the principal of a school that the court is ordering the placement of a juvenile in the principals school. The principal of the school shall have a right to be heard prior to the placement.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-11-6 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-11 / Section 8-11-6
§ 8-11-6. Continuance of business when court fails to meet.
Status: in_force

If from any cause any court in this state shall not be held at the time appointed by law, or to which it may have been adjourned, all business pending therein shall be proceeded with when the court next meets.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-42 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-42
§ 8-10-42. Engagement  Precedence  Retirement and powers of justices.
Status: in_force

Those provisions of chapter 3 of this title, which relate to superior court justices, shall apply to the chief judge and associate justices of the family court and, for purposes of eligibility for retirement under § 8-3-7 as amended by chapter 2 of the public laws, 1959, service as a chief judge or associate judge of the juvenile court prior to September 1, 1961 shall be included as if the service had been on the family court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-12 — RI Code / Title 8 / Chapter 8-10 / Section 8-10-12
§ 8-10-12. Vacancy in office or inability of chief judge of family court.
Status: in_force

Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of chief judge of the family court, or whenever the chief judge shall be unable, by reason of illness or absence, to perform the duties of his or her office, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as provided in § 8-3-4 for filling a vacancy in the office of presiding justice of the superior court.