reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 8-8-20 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-20 - Sale of blank writs prohibited.

§ 8-8-20. Sale of blank writs prohibited.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.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 4.
RI Gen L § 8-8-21 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-21 - District court conference.

§ 8-8-21. District court conference.There shall be a district court conference held annually, or more often, at such time and place as shall be designated by the chief judge. This conference shall consist of all the judges of the district court. The chief judge shall preside and the chief clerk shall act as secretary of the conference. The attorney general, or one of his or her assistants, shall attend to aid and advise the conference. The conference shall, with the concurrence of the chief judge, have power to direct in what manner and to what extent entries shall be made of the decisions, judgments, and proceedings of the district court. To the end that the work of the district court shall be efficiently and expeditiously transacted it shall give attention to all matters believed helpful to that end and shall make recommendations regarding procedure and other matters pertaining to the court.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 4.
RI Gen L § 8-8-22 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-22 - Statutory references to earlier courts.

§ 8-8-22. Statutory references to earlier courts.Whenever in any statute reference is made to justice courts, trial justices or clerks of the justice courts of the different cities and towns, district courts, justices of district courts, and clerks of district courts, that statute shall be taken and construed to refer to the district court created by this chapter and its judges and clerks. Whenever in any statute reference is made to a particular predecessor court, that statute shall be taken and construed to refer to the division of the district court which embraces the territory of the predecessor court.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 4.
RI Gen L § 8-8-23 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-23 - Savings clause.

§ 8-8-23. Savings clause.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.History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 4.
RI Gen L § 8-8-24 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-24 - Tax proceedings to be without jury and de novo - Precedence on calendar.

§ 8-8-24. Tax proceedings to be without jury and de novo — Precedence on calendar.Each appeal of a final decision of the tax administrator concerning an assessment, deficiency, or otherwise shall be an original, independent proceeding in the nature of a suit in equity to set aside the final decision and shall be tried de novo and without a jury. Every such matter shall have precedence over all other civil cases on the calendar on the date to which it is assigned for trial and shall continue to have precedence on the calendar on a day-to-day basis until it is heard.History of Section.P.L. 1984, ch. 183, § 1.
RI Gen L § 8-8-25 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-25 - Time for commencement of proceeding against the division of taxation.

§ 8-8-25. Time for commencement of proceeding against the division of taxation.(a) Any taxpayer aggrieved by a final decision of the tax administrator concerning an assessment, deficiency, or otherwise may file a complaint for redetermination of the assessment, deficiency, or otherwise in the court as provided by statute under title 44.(b) The complaint shall be filed within thirty (30) days after the mailing of notice of the final decision and shall set forth the reasons why the final decision is alleged to be erroneous and praying relief therefrom. The clerk of the court shall thereupon summon the division of taxation to answer the complaint.History of Section.P.L. 1984, ch. 183, § 1.
RI Gen L § 8-8-26 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-26 - Prepayment as condition precedent to review of tax case.

§ 8-8-26. Prepayment as condition precedent to review of tax case.A taxpayer's right to file a complaint pursuant to § 8-8-25 for review of a final decision of the tax administrator ordering an assessment, deficiency, or otherwise shall be conditional upon prepayment of all taxes, interest, and penalties set forth in the assessment, deficiency, or otherwise; provided, however, that in lieu of the prepayment, the taxpayer may file together with his or her complaint a motion for an exemption from the prepayment requirement. The taxpayer shall set the motion down for hearing within twenty (20) days after the answer to the complaint is filed; otherwise, the motion shall be deemed to be denied. The court shall grant the motion if it determines both: (1) that the taxpayer has a reasonable probability of success on the merits; and (2) that the taxpayer is unable to prepay all taxes, interest, and penalties set forth in the assessment, deficiency, or otherwise. In making its determination on the issue of ability to prepay, the court shall consider not only the taxpayer's own financial resources but also the ability of the taxpayer to borrow the required funds. If the motion is denied, the taxpayer shall make prepayment within thirty (30) days of the entry of the court's order denying the motion; otherwise, the complaint shall be dismissed upon motion of the tax administrator.History of Section.P.L. 1984, ch. 183, § 1.
RI Gen L § 8-8-27 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-27 - Refund suits.

§ 8-8-27. Refund suits.(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.History of Section.P.L. 1984, ch. 183, § 1; P.L. 2002, ch. 424, § 3.
RI Gen L § 8-8-28 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-28 - Burden of proof in tax cases.

§ 8-8-28. Burden of proof in tax cases.In all tax cases before the court, and upon appeal therefrom, a preponderance of the evidence shall suffice to sustain the burden of proof. The burden of proof shall fall upon the party seeking affirmative relief and the burden of going forward with the evidence shall shift as in other civil litigation. In any proceedings in which the division of taxation alleges fraud or an exception to the normal statute of limitations on assessment, the burden of proof in respect of that issue shall be upon the division of taxation. To be sustained on the issue of fraud, the division of taxation must sustain a burden of clear and convincing proof.History of Section.P.L. 1984, ch. 183, § 1.
RI Gen L § 8-8-29 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-29 - Court stenographer in tax cases.

§ 8-8-29. Court stenographer in tax cases.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.History of Section.P.L. 1984, ch. 183, § 1.
RI Gen L § 8-8-30 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-30 - Decision of the court - Form and contents.

§ 8-8-30. Decision of the court — Form and contents.The court shall render its decision in writing, including therein a concise statement of the facts found by the court and the conclusions of law reached by the court. The court may affirm, reverse, modify, or remand any determination or shall grant such relief, invoke such other remedies, and issue such orders in accordance with its decision as shall be appropriate in a court of general jurisdiction.History of Section.P.L. 1984, ch. 183, § 1.
RI Gen L § 8-8-31 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-31 - Frivolous appeals.

§ 8-8-31. Frivolous appeals.Whenever it appears to the court that proceedings before it have been instituted by the taxpayer solely for delay and that the taxpayer's complaint is frivolous and groundless, damages in an amount not in excess of five thousand dollars ($5,000) plus costs may be assessed against the taxpayer by the court.History of Section.P.L. 1984, ch. 183, § 1.
RI Gen L § 8-8-32 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-32 - Review by supreme court.

§ 8-8-32. Review by supreme court.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.History of Section.P.L. 1984, ch. 183, § 1.
RI Gen L § 8-8-33 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8 - District Court|Section 8-8-33 - Severability.

§ 8-8-33. Severability.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.History of Section.P.L. 2011, ch. 408, § 17; P.L. 2011, ch. 409, § 17.
RI Gen L § 8-8.1-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8.1 - Domestic Assault|Section 8-8.1-1 - Definitions.

§ 8-8.1-1. Definitions.The following words as used in this chapter shall have the following meanings:(1) "Cohabitants" means emancipated minors or persons eighteen (18) years of age or older, not related by blood or marriage, who together are not the legal parents of one or more children, and who have resided together within the preceding three (3) years or who are residing in the same living quarters.(2) "Course of conduct" means a pattern of conduct composed of a series of acts over a period of time, evidencing a continuity of purpose. Constitutionally protected activity is not included within the meaning of "course of conduct."(3) "Courts" means the district court.(4) "Cyberstalking" means transmitting any communication by computer to any person or causing any person to be contacted for the sole purpose of harassing that person or his or her family.(5) "Domestic abuse" means the occurrence of one or more of the following acts between cohabitants or the occurrence of one or more of the following acts between persons who are or have been in a substantive dating or engagement relationship within the past one year; "domestic abuse" shall be determined by the court's consideration of the following factors:(i) The length of time of the relationship;(ii) The type of the relationship;(iii) The frequency of the interaction between the parties;(iv) Attempting to cause or causing physical harm;(v) Placing another in fear of imminent serious physical harm;(vi) Causing another to engage involuntarily in sexual relations by force, threat of force, or duress; or(vii) Stalking or cyberstalking.(6) "Harassing" means following a knowing and willful course of conduct directed at a specific person with the intent to seriously alarm, annoy, or bother the person, and which serves no legitimate purpose. The course of conduct must be such as would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress, or be in fear of bodily injury.(7) "Sole legal interest" means defendant has an ownership interest in the residence and plaintiff does not; or defendant's name is on the lease and plaintiff's is not.(8) "Stalking" means harassing another person or willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly following another person with the intent to place that person in reasonable fear of bodily injury.History of Section.P.L. 1985, ch. 492, § 2; P.L. 1988, ch. 539, § 4; P.L. 1990, ch. 390, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 313, § 1; P.L. 1997, ch. 326, § 172; P.L. 2001, ch. 259, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 324, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 652, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 415, § 12; P.L. 2021, ch. 111, § 1, effective July 2, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 112, § 1, effective July 2, 2021.
RI Gen L § 8-8.1-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8.1 - Domestic Assault|Section 8-8.1-2 - Filing of complaint.

§ 8-8.1-2. Filing of complaint.(a) Proceedings under this chapter shall be filed, heard, and determined in the district court of the division in which the plaintiff resides. Any proceedings under this chapter shall not preclude any other available civil or criminal remedies. A party filing a complaint under this chapter may do so without payment of any filing fee. If the plaintiff has left the residence or household to avoid abuse, he or she may bring the action in the court of previous residence or the court of present residence. There shall be no minimum residence requirements for the bringing of an action under this chapter.(b) Answers to the summons and complaint shall be made within ten (10) days of service upon the defendant and the action shall take precedence on the calendar. If no answer is filed within the time prescribed, judgment shall enter forthwith.History of Section.P.L. 1985, ch. 492, § 2; P.L. 1988, ch. 539, § 4.
RI Gen L § 8-8.1-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8.1 - Domestic Assault|Section 8-8.1-4 - Temporary orders - Ex parte proceedings.

§ 8-8.1-4. Temporary orders — Ex parte proceedings.(a) (1) Upon the filing of a complaint under this chapter, the court may enter any temporary orders that it deems necessary to protect the plaintiff from abuse.(2) If it clearly appears from specific facts shown by affidavit that immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage will result to the plaintiff, before notice can be served and a hearing held, the court may enter any temporary order without notice that it deems necessary to protect the plaintiff. Every order granted without notice shall expire by its terms within the time after entry, not to exceed twenty-one (21) days, as the court fixes, unless within the time so fixed the order: (i) by consent, or (ii) due to a failure to make service of process upon the defendant despite diligent efforts, or (iii) for good cause shown and after hearing of argument by the parties or counsel, is extended for an additional period. In case a temporary order is granted without notice, the matter shall be set down for hearing within a reasonable time and shall be given precedence over all matters except older matters of the same character, and when the matter comes on for hearing the party who obtained the temporary order shall proceed with the complaint for an order pursuant to § 8-8.1-3, and, if she or he does not do so, the court shall dissolve the temporary order.(b) (1) (b) (1) (i) When the court is unavailable after the close of business a complaint may be filed before any available district court judge who may grant relief to the plaintiff under this chapter upon cause shown in an ex parte proceeding.(ii) In addition, when there is no district court in session at a location when the family court is in session, the family court judge at that location is authorized to grant relief to the plaintiff under this chapter upon cause shown in an ex parte proceeding.(2) No temporary order shall be granted pursuant to the provisions of this section unless it clearly appears from specific facts shown by the affidavit or by verified complaint that immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage will result to the plaintiff before notice can be served and a hearing held.(c) Any order issued under this section and any documentation in support of an order shall be filed immediately with the clerk of the district court. The filing shall have the effect of commencing proceedings under this chapter and invoking the other provisions of this chapter.(d) The clerk of the district court shall have a certified copy of any order issued under this chapter forwarded immediately to the law enforcement agency designated by the plaintiff. The clerk shall also provide the plaintiff with two (2) certified copies of any order issued under this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1985, ch. 492, § 2; P.L. 1988, ch. 539, § 4; P.L. 1989, ch. 78, § 2; P.L. 2000, ch. 71, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 198, § 1.
RI Gen L § 8-8.1-4.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8.1 - Domestic Assault|Section 8-8.1-4.1 - Report to law enforcement agency.

§ 8-8.1-4.1. Report to law enforcement agency.Whenever the court grants a temporary order pursuant to § 8-8.1-4 based on a complaint alleging that a minor is suffering from domestic abuse, the court shall ensure that the appropriate law enforcement agency is notified of the complaint.History of Section.P.L. 1988, ch. 539, § 3.
RI Gen L § 8-8.1-4.2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8.1 - Domestic Assault|Section 8-8.1-4.2 - Return of service - Alternate service.

§ 8-8.1-4.2. Return of service — Alternate service.(a) The complaint and any order issued under this chapter shall be personally served upon the defendant by a deputy sheriff or certified constable except as provided in subsections (c), (d), and (f) of this section. Service shall be made without payment of any fee when service is made by a deputy sheriff. At the election of the plaintiff, service pursuant to this subsection may also be made by a certified constable authorized to serve process of the district court pursuant to § 9-5-10.1. The certified constable shall be entitled to receive the fee allowed by law for the service of a district court summons.(b) Return of service shall be forwarded by the deputy sheriff or certified constable to the clerk of court prior to the date set down for hearing on the complaint. If service has not been made, the deputy sheriff or certified constable shall indicate on the summons the reason therefor and the attempts made to serve the defendant.(c) At the time the return of service is sent to the clerk of the court, the deputy sheriff or certified constable shall cause a copy of the return of service to be sent to the plaintiff and to the appropriate law enforcement agency.(d) If, at the time of hearing on the complaint, the court determines that after diligent effort the deputy sheriff or certified constable has been unable to serve the defendant personally, the judge may order an alternate method of service designed to give reasonable notice of the action to the defendant and taking into consideration the plaintiff's ability to afford the means of service ordered. Alternative service shall include, but not be limited to: service by certified and regular mail at defendant's last-known address (excluding the residence that he or she has been ordered to vacate) or place of employment; leaving copies at the defendant's dwelling or usual place of abode with a person of suitable age and discretion residing therein; or by publication in a newspaper for two (2) consecutive weeks. The court shall set a new date for hearing on the complaint and shall extend the temporary order until that date.(e) If the defendant appears in person before the court, the necessity for further service is waived and proof of service of that order is not necessary.(f) If the defendant is served notice regarding the complaint and hearing, but does not appear at the hearing, the clerk of the district court shall mail the defendant a copy of the resulting order.History of Section.P.L. 1988, ch. 539, § 3; P.L. 1989, ch. 77, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 313, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 324, § 15; P.L. 2015, ch. 260, § 7; P.L. 2015, ch. 275, § 7.
RI Gen L § 8-8.1-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8.1 - Domestic Assault|Section 8-8.1-7 - Notice of penalties - Notice of renewal.

§ 8-8.1-7. Notice of penalties — Notice of renewal.Each protective order issued under this chapter, including a temporary ex-parte order, shall have the following statements printed in bold-faced type or in capital letters:A PERSON WHO VIOLATES THIS ORDER MAY BE GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND MAY BE PUNISHED BY A FINE OF AS MUCH AS $1,000 AND/OR BY CONFINEMENT IN JAIL FOR AS LONG AS ONE (1) YEAR, AND MAY BE ORDERED TO ATTEND COUNSELING. IF THE VICTIM WANTS THIS ORDER TO CONTINUE BEYOND THE EXPIRATION DATE, THE VICTIM MUST APPLY FOR A RENEWAL OF THE ORDER BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE.History of Section.P.L. 1985, ch. 492, § 2; P.L. 1988, ch. 539, § 4; P.L. 1989, ch. 162, § 1.
RI Gen L § 8-8.1-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-8.1 - Domestic Assault|Section 8-8.1-8 - Appeal.

§ 8-8.1-8. Appeal.An order granting relief pursuant to § 8-8.1-3 shall remain in effect during the pendency of the appeal to the superior court unless the order is stayed by a justice of the superior court.History of Section.P.L. 1985, ch. 492, § 2; P.L. 1991, ch. 213, § 1.