reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 8-8-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-2 - Divisions.

§ 8-8-2. Divisions.(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."History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 4; P.L. 1975, ch. 56, § 1; P.L. 1981, ch. 61, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 240, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 80, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 85, § 1; P.L. 2021, ch. 77, § 3, effective June 23, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 78, § 3, effective June 23, 2021.
RI Gen L § 8-8-3.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-3.1 - Equitable powers as to housing matters.

§ 8-8-3.1. Equitable powers as to housing matters.(a) In addition to the powers heretofore exercised, the district court and any court created by municipal ordinance pursuant to § 8-8-3(a)(4) is hereby empowered, in furtherance of its jurisdiction under § 8-8-3(a)(4), to grant such orders, including temporary restraining orders, and preliminary and permanent injunctions as justice and equity may require.(b) Any court created by municipal ordinance pursuant to § 8-8-3(a)(4) is hereby empowered in furtherance of its jurisdiction to order a building into receivership pursuant to the provisions of chapter 44 of title 34 ("abandoned property").History of Section.P.L. 1977, ch. 277, § 2; P.L. 1982, ch. 134, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 461, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 474, § 1.
RI Gen L § 8-8-3.2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-3.2 - Record and appeal of housing matters.

§ 8-8-3.2. Record and appeal of housing matters.(a) An electronic record shall be made of the proceedings in the trial or hearing of every action in the district court under the provisions of § 8-8-3(a)(4). If ordered by the judge trying or hearing the matter a typewritten transcription of the record shall be made and shall be filed with the papers of the case. The transcript shall be completed and filed within the time allowed by the court. A copy of the transcript shall be delivered forthwith to the attorneys of record and for the typing of the transcript a reasonable fee shall be allowed by the court. In the event the typewritten transcription is used in subsequent proceedings the cost of obtaining the transcript shall be allowed as part of the cost of the case.(b) Any party aggrieved by a final judgment, decree, or order of the district court under § 8-8-3(a)(4) may, within twenty (20) days after entry of judgment, petition the supreme court of the state of Rhode Island for a writ of certiorari to review any errors involved. The petition for a writ of certiorari shall set forth the errors claimed. Upon the filing of such a petition with the clerk of the supreme court, the supreme court may, if it sees fit, issue its writ of certiorari to the district court to certify to the supreme court the record of the proceedings in the case together with any transcript of the proceedings furnished by the petitioner at his or her expense.History of Section.P.L. 1977, ch. 277, § 2; P.L. 1978, ch. 182, § 1; P.L. 1982, ch. 134, § 1.
RI Gen L § 8-8-3.3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-3.3 - Equitable powers in residential landlord and tenant matters.

§ 8-8-3.3. Equitable powers in residential landlord and tenant matters.In addition to the powers heretofore exercised, the district court is hereby empowered, in furtherance of its jurisdiction under § 8-8-3(a)(2), to grant such orders, including temporary restraining orders, and preliminary and permanent injunctions as justice and equity may require.History of Section.P.L. 1986, ch. 200, § 5.
RI Gen L § 8-8-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-4 - Habeas corpus.

§ 8-8-4. Habeas corpus.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.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 4.
RI Gen L § 8-8-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-5 - Contempt of court.

§ 8-8-5. Contempt of court.The district court may punish any contempt of its authority by fine or imprisonment or both.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 4.
RI Gen L § 8-8-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-6 - Special service of process.

§ 8-8-6. Special service of process.The district court may order special service of any process, original or auxiliary, in any proceeding within the jurisdiction of the court, by personal notice, notice by mail, or publication in a newspaper within or without the state, for the purpose of dealing with any property, relation, or person subject to the jurisdiction of the court.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 4.
RI Gen L § 8-8-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-7 - Judges - Temporary service in other courts.

§ 8-8-7. Judges — Temporary service in other courts.(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.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 4; P.L. 1971, ch. 169, § 1; P.L. 1972, ch. 276, § 1; P.L. 1972, ch. 290, §§ 1, 2; P.L. 1985, ch. 150, § 16; P.L. 1994, ch. 42, § 4; P.L. 2003, ch. 332, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 403, § 1.
RI Gen L § 8-8-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-8 - Engagement and acceptance of appointment.

§ 8-8-8. Engagement and acceptance of appointment.Every judge accepting the office shall, within thirty (30) days after appointment, take the engagement provided in § 8-3-1 and shall file a written notice of his or her acceptance, together with proof of his engagement upon his or her commission, with the secretary of state.History of Section.C.P.A. 1905, § 118; G.L. 1909, ch. 280, § 6; G.L. 1923, ch. 330, § 6; G.L. 1938, ch. 500, § 6; P.L. 1939, ch. 659, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 8-8-8.
RI Gen L § 8-8-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-9 - Vacancies.

§ 8-8-9. Vacancies.(a) Whenever any person appointed to the office of chief judge or associate judge shall fail to accept and qualify for the office or there is a vacancy in the office caused by death, resignation, retirement, removal, or any other cause whatsoever while the senate is in session, the governor shall appoint some person to fill the vacancy, and submit his or her appointment to the senate for confirmation in accordance with the general laws governing judicial selection.(b) Whenever the chief judge shall be unable, by reason of illness, to perform the duties of his or her office, or there is a vacancy in the office, the associate judge having precedence, who is present and qualified to act, shall perform the duties of the office until the inability is removed or, in the case of a vacancy, until the vacancy shall be filled in accordance with the general laws governing judicial selection. In the event that the chief judge determines that his or her absence will prevent him or her from performing the duties of his or her office, he or she shall designate an associate judge to perform those duties during the period of his or her absence.(c) The associate judges shall have precedence according to the dates of their commissions, or when the commission of two (2) or more of them bear the same date, according to their ages.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 4; P.L. 1977, ch. 263, § 2; P.L. 1982, ch. 349, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 42, § 4.
RI Gen L § 8-8-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-10 - Repealed.

§ 8-8-10. Repealed.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 4; Repealed by P.L. 2009, ch. 68, art. 7, § 6, effective June 30, 2009.
RI Gen L § 8-8-10.2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-10.2 - State contributions.

§ 8-8-10.2. State contributions.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.History of Section.P.L. 1989, ch. 494, § 4; P.L. 1990, ch. 507, § 4; P.L. 2019, ch. 205, § 2; P.L. 2019, ch. 271, § 2.
RI Gen L § 8-8-11 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-11 - Repealed.

§ 8-8-11. Repealed.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 4; Repealed by P.L. 1987, ch. 381, § 3. Section 7 of P.L. 1987, ch. 381 provides that the repeal of this section by that Act shall take effect on the date that Rhode Island Rules of Evidence adopted by the Supreme Court take effect. Those Rules took effect October 1, 1987.
RI Gen L § 8-8-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-12 - Duties of chief judge.

§ 8-8-12. Duties of chief judge.(a) The chief judge shall be the administrative head of the district court and shall be responsible for its operation and the efficient use of its manpower. To this end he or she shall:(1) Hold court in any division when he or she deems it necessary;(2) Assign judges to hold court in the various divisions;(3) Designate the place or places for holding court in each division;(4) Fix the time for holding court in each division and supervise the calendars;(5) Report annually to the chief justice of the supreme court on the state of the business of the district court;(6) Supervise the collection and publication of statistics pertaining to the court;(7) Supervise the management of the records of the court;(8) Determine the time of vacations to be taken by the district judges;(9) Preside over the district court conference and designate the time and place that it shall be held;(10) Promulgate rules and regulations relating to:(i) The licensing of constables to serve certain district court civil process; and(ii) The duties and conduct of licensed constables.(b) The chief judge of the district court may designate an associate judge of the district court as administrative judge of the district court. The administrative judge may exercise such administrative authority as may be delegated to him or her by the chief judge. The administrative judge shall receive an increase in compensation which shall be set pursuant to § 8-15-4.(c) The chief judge of the district court shall appoint sufficient court recorders to enable all proceedings to be recorded by electronic means and who shall assist in such other clerical duties subject to the labor laws of this state and applicable collective bargaining agreement as may be prescribed from time to time by the chief judge of the district court.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 4; P.L. 1971, ch. 183, § 4; P.L. 1982, ch. 259, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 218, art. 5, § 5; P.L. 2005, ch. 117, art. 25, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 154, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 160, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 1, § 3; P.L. 2012, ch. 415, § 11.
RI Gen L § 8-8-12.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-12.1 - Constable regulation program.

§ 8-8-12.1. Constable regulation program.(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.History of Section.P.L. 1989, ch. 160, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 370, art. 40, § 38.
RI Gen L § 8-8-13 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-13 - Sessions of the court.

§ 8-8-13. Sessions of the court.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.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 4.
RI Gen L § 8-8-14 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-14 - [Repealed.]

§ 8-8-14. [Repealed.]History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 4. Repealed by P.L. 2015, ch. 38, § 1, effective May 21, 2015; P.L. 2015, ch. 40, § 1, effective May 21, 2015.
RI Gen L § 8-8-15 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-15 - Chief, deputy, and assistant clerks.

§ 8-8-15. Chief, deputy, and assistant clerks.(a) There shall be a chief clerk of the district court. In the month of April of 1971 and in each fifth year thereafter, the chief judge of the district court, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint the chief clerk of the district court who shall hold office until the first day in April in the fifth year next after his or her appointment and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. In case of a vacancy in the office of clerk of the district court, from any cause, the chief judge of the district court, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint some person to fill the vacancy for the balance of the unexpired term and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. In case of the death, resignation, absence, inability, or refusal to serve of the clerk, the chief judge may appoint a clerk pro tempore, who shall hold his or her office until the clerk shall have returned or the inability shall have been removed or another clerk shall have been appointed to fill such a vacancy and shall have qualified.(b) The chief judge of the district court shall appoint a deputy clerk for each division and assistant clerks in the various divisions of the district court to serve at his or her pleasure. All such clerks and the chief clerk may administer oaths within the state.(c) The clerks of the court shall devote their full time to their duties. They are not required to be members of the bar of this state, but if a member of the bar of this state is appointed a clerk, he or she shall not practice law during his or her term in office nor shall he or she be a partner or associate of any person engaged in the practice of law.(d) The chief judge of the district court shall have the power to authorize, with the power to revoke such authorizations, the chief clerk, the deputy clerks, and the assistant clerks of the district court to set and take bail on all complaints bailable before a division of the district court to the same extent and with the same authority as is granted to justices of the peace authorized to set and take bail by § 12-10-2. The authorizations and revocations shall be recorded with the secretary of state. District court clerks may exercise the authority granted by the chief judge under this section only during the normal working hours of the clerk's office to which they are assigned. This authority shall be exercised without fee.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 4; P.L. 1971, ch. 121, § 1; P.L. 1973, ch. 47, § 1; P.L. 1979, ch. 396, § 1; P.L. 1981, ch. 56, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 172, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 10, § 2; P.L. 2005, ch. 21, § 2.
RI Gen L § 8-8-16 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-16 - Duties of district court clerks.

§ 8-8-16. Duties of district court clerks.Every clerk of the district court shall record reasonably the judgments and determinations of the court, and account with the state controller and pay over to the general treasurer, as often as by law required, all fines, costs, and other money received by him or her, and also account with and pay over to the town treasurers of the towns in his or her division, as often as by law required, all fines and other money received by him or her belonging to or payable to the town.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 4; P.L. 1980, ch. 96, § 3.
RI Gen L § 8-8-16.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-16.1 - Office of clerk/magistrate - Purpose.

§ 8-8-16.1. Office of clerk/magistrate — Purpose.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.History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 173, § 1.
RI Gen L § 8-8-17 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-17 - Duties of division clerks.

§ 8-8-17. Duties of division clerks.The clerk of each division of the district court shall:(1) Keep a docket, and an alphabetical index thereof, either in writing or by means of an electronic information storage system or other data compilation system, of all actions, complaints, or proceedings, either of a civil or criminal nature, that may be entered or had in the division, and shall note in the docket against each case the decision or determination thereof, all subsequent proceedings, and the judgment therein, and, in all criminal cases, the fines or imprisonment to which the defendant may be sentenced.(2) Record the decisions, judgments, and proceedings of the division in a book to be kept for that purpose or in an electronic information storage system or any other data compilation system.(3) Tax costs, including officer's fees, in all cases, civil or criminal, that may be entered, commenced, or pending in the division; all taxation by the clerk shall be subject to revision by any district judge sitting in the division.(4) Receive all fines and costs in criminal cases and all court fees in civil cases and account therefor as by law required.(5) Have custody of the seal of the division.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 4; P.L. 1989, ch. 202, § 2.
RI Gen L § 8-8-18 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-18 - Failure of clerk to account for fines and costs.

§ 8-8-18. Failure of clerk to account for fines and costs.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.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 4.
RI Gen L § 8-8-19 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-19 - Duties of chief clerk.

§ 8-8-19. Duties of chief clerk.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.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 4.