Source: https://njdc.info/practice-policy-resources/state-profiles/rhodeisland/
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 09:49:22+00:00

Document:
Rhode Island provides counsel to indigent youth through a statewide public defense system. R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 14-1-58. The juvenile division of the Rhode Island Office of the Public Defender represents youth in delinquency and wayward proceedings. The system is entirely funded by the state. R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 12-15-7. Conflict representation is handled by private attorneys appointed directly by the trial judge and funded by the state.
Rhode Island has no statutorily required or recommended training requirements or standards for attorneys representing youth in delinquency proceedings.
In addition to statutes and case law, juvenile court proceedings are governed by court rules. These are often promulgated at the state level, but may also be passed at the local court level instead of or in addition to statewide rules. Rhode Island’s juvenile courts are governed by the Rhode Island Rules of Juvenile Proceedings.
Informal adjustment procedures. R.I. R. Juv. Proc. 4.
Hearing on temporary detention. R.I. R. Juv. Proc. 8(b).
Arraignment. R.I. R. Juv. Proc. 9(a).
Waiver of jurisdiction (transfer) hearings. R.I. R. Juv. Proc. 12(b)(2).
“Prior to the commencement of any hearing,” the court shall inform the relevant parties of their right to counsel and their right to have a public defender appointed if they are indigent. R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 14-1-31. Notice of the right to counsel is provided in the summons for a hearing on a petition. R.I. R. Juv. P., Rule 6.
Prior to the initial hearing, the court must inform the child of their right to a public defender if their parent or guardian is financially unable to retain counsel. R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 14-1-31. At the direction of the court, a public defender shall appear in court to represent the indigent youth. R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 14-1-31. In cases where youth are emancipated, or estranged from their families, or where the petition is filed by a parent, the youth’s financial eligibility is determined based upon their own assets. Applicants for public defense services must submit an affidavit of financial status R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 12-15-9. The public defender office, on its own initiative or at the court’s request, may require additional information or conduct an investigation. R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 12-15-9. The public defender makes the determination of eligibility. R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 12-15-9.
Rhode Island does not have a specific juvenile statute or rule addressing a youth’s waiver of counsel. Case law indicates that waiver of counsel by indigent youth is permitted but should not routinely be allowed. In re John D., 479 A.2d 1173, 1178 (R.I. 1984). In general, the validity of a youth’s waiver of rights is assessed based on the totality of the circumstances. In re Kean, 520 A.2d 1271, 1276 (R.I. 1987). Adult case law indicates that waiver of counsel can be permitted if it is knowing, voluntary and intelligent. State v. Chabot, 682 A.2d 1377, 1379 (R.I. 1996).
When and how the court may decide to detain a child or otherwise place restrictions on the child’s freedom is defined by statute and court rules. In Rhode Island, a detention hearing must occur on the next court day following detention of the child. R.I. R. Juv. Proc. 8(a). If counsel is not available to consult with the child, the court may order one day of detention to allow the child to consult with an attorney, and depending on the county, may detain the child for up to seven days following the attorney consultation. R.I. R. Juv. Proc. 8(b). Such temporary detention must be followed by a probable cause hearing within five to seven days, depending on the county. R.I. R. Juv. Proc. 8(c).
The legal needs of children in the delinquency system rarely end at disposition, and states vary in the way they provide a right to representation on these post-disposition issues. Rhode Island statutes list no post-disposition proceedings at which youth have a right to counsel.
No statute specifies the youngest age at which a young person can be adjudicated delinquent.
Juvenile court has jurisdiction over offenses alleged to have been committed prior to a child’s 18th birthday; after age 18, the youth is charged in adult court. R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 14-1-6(a).
Provided that the offense alleged to have been committed occurred before the youth turned 18 and the youth is not discharged prior to becoming 19, the juvenile court can retain jurisdiction over them until they are 19. R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 14-1-6(f).
The juvenile court shall hold a waiver hearing, upon motion by the Attorney General, for any youth charge with a crime that would be punishable by life imprisonment had it been committed by an adult, or for any youth age 16 or older charged with any offense constituting a felony. R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 14-1-7(a)-(b).
Any child who is 16 or older who has been adjudicated delinquent for two offenses after turning 16 shall be certified to be in criminal court. R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 14-1-7.2(c).
Once an Adult, Always an Adult: A waiver into adult court constitutes a waiver for the charged offense as well as all other pending and future offenses. If the youth is acquitted for the offense that triggered the waiver, the waiver will be vacated. R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 14-1-7.1(c).
NJDC has not yet conducted an assessment of the juvenile indigent defense system in Rhode Island. If you would like to collaborate with NJDC to fundraise for, plan, or engage in an assessment in this state, please contact us.

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