reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-12 - Conditional Escheat of Unclaimed Funds in Court Registries › Section 8-12-2. - Deposit of unclaimed funds.

§ 8-12-2. Deposit of unclaimed funds.
If, upon examination of the sworn statement required to be filed by the several clerks under the provisions of § 8-12-1, it appears to the state court administrator that there are deposits in the registry of the supreme court, the superior court, the family court, the district court, the workers’ compensation court and/or the traffic tribunal that have been unclaimed by any person prima facie entitled to the deposits, or his or her or its representative, for a period of five (5) years preceding the last business day of June of the then current year, then all of those unclaimed deposits in the registry of the applicable court, together with any interest on the deposit, shall be paid to the general fund to be held and used by the administrator of the state courts as approved by the chief justice of the supreme court subject to being repaid to the person(s), firm(s) or corporation(s) who may subsequently establish a lawful right to the deposit as provided in § 8-12-3.
History of Section.
P.L. 1977, ch. 126, § 1; P.L. 1981, ch. 130, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 100, § 1; P.L. 1997, ch. 326, §§ 9, 10; P.L. 2000, ch. 452, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 231, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 238, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-12 - Conditional Escheat of Unclaimed Funds in Court Registries › Section 8-12-3. - Claim for escheated funds.

§ 8-12-3. Claim for escheated funds.
(a)
Any person who claims a right to money or funds paid to the general fund by the supreme court, the superior court, the family court, the district court, the workers’ compensation court and/or the traffic tribunal pursuant to § 8-12-2, may file a complaint in the superior court within and for the county of Providence within three (3) years after the funds are deposited in the general fund. The complaint shall be subject to the superior court rules of civil procedure and shall follow the course of equity. The complaint shall be filed against the state, and service of process shall be made upon the administrator of the state courts in person or at his or her respective office with someone in charge of the office. The attorney general shall appear and represent the state in the action. The superior court shall hear the complaint, and in case the final determination of the complaint is in favor of the plaintiff, the court shall enter its judgment directing the administrator of the state courts to repay to the plaintiff so much of the fund as the plaintiff has shown himself or herself entitled to receive, together with interest at a rate not to exceed six percent (6%) per annum on that amount, together with the costs of the action as taxed, in accordance with the rules of civil procedure. The interest shall begin to accumulate on the date the sum is received by the general fund and shall cease on the earlier of fifteen (15) years following receipt or the date on which payment is made to the owner. Upon issuance of the order, the clerk shall immediately forward to the administrator of the state courts the execution based upon the judgment and including costs as taxed. The general fund will pay the amount named in the execution to the party entitled to the amount.
(b)
In case the action is determined in favor of the state, the determination shall operate as a final bar against the claimant or his or her or its representatives. In the event the action is decided in favor of the claimant, review may be had by the supreme court in its discretion on petition for writ of certiorari, which must be filed within twenty (20) days by the attorney general following the judgment of the superior court.
History of Section.
P.L. 1977, ch. 126, § 1; P.L. 1981, ch. 130, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 100, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 452, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 231, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 238, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-13 - Judicial Council › Section 8-13-1. - Creation — Composition.

§ 8-13-1. Creation — Composition.
A judicial council is hereby created for the study of the organization of the judicial system of the state and all matters relating to the administration of the system and its several departments of service. The judicial council shall consist of six (6) members of the bar of this state, who shall be appointed by the governor.
History of Section.
P.L. 1939, ch. 699, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 8-13-1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-13 - Judicial Council › Section 8-13-2. - Appointment of members — Vacancies.

§ 8-13-2. Appointment of members — Vacancies.
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.
History of Section.
P.L. 1939, ch. 699, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 8-13-2; P.L. 1997, ch. 326, § 11.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-13 - Judicial Council › Section 8-13-3. - Officers of council.

§ 8-13-3. Officers of council.
The members of the council shall annually choose from their own membership a chairperson and a secretary.
History of Section.
P.L. 1939, ch. 699, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 8-13-3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-13 - Judicial Council › Section 8-13-4. - Powers and duties.

§ 8-13-4. Powers and duties.
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.
History of Section.
P.L. 1939, ch. 699, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 8-13-4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-13 - Judicial Council › Section 8-13-5. - Compensation of secretary — Expenses of council.

§ 8-13-5. Compensation of secretary — Expenses of council.
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.
History of Section.
P.L. 1939, ch. 699, § 3; P.L. 1952, ch. 2993, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 8-13-5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-14 - Inactive Records › Section 8-14-1. - Management, storage, and disposition of state court records.

§ 8-14-1. Management, storage, and disposition of state court records.
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.
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 203, § 4; P.L. 1997, ch. 311, § 2; P.L. 1997, ch. 313, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 473, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 218, art. 5, § 6; P.L. 2008, ch. 1, § 6.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-14 - Inactive Records › Section 8-14-2. - Attorney records.

§ 8-14-2. Attorney records.
After a period of seven (7) years or more has lapsed since the disposition of a civil case or matter, an attorney may destroy his or her records relative to the case.
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 203, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-14 - Inactive Records › Section 8-14-3 - — 8-14-5. Repealed.

§ 8-14-3 — 8-14-5. Repealed.
History of Section.
P.L. 1957, ch. 21, §§ 3, 4; P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 6; P.L. 1985, ch. 338, §§ 1, 2; Repealed by P.L. 1990, ch. 203, § 3, effective July 9, 1990. For present similar provisions see this chapter.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-15 - Court Administration › Section 8-15-1. - Unified system.

§ 8-15-1. Unified system.
The supreme court, the superior court, the family court, the district court, the workers’ compensation court, and the traffic tribunal shall constitute a unified judicial system for purposes of administration.
History of Section.
P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 132, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 205, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 453, § 13; P.L. 1999, ch. 218, art. 5, § 8.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-15 - Court Administration › Section 8-15-2. - Executive head of system.

§ 8-15-2. Executive head of system.
The chief justice of the supreme court shall be the executive head of the judicial system.
History of Section.
P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-15 - Court Administration › Section 8-15-2.1. - Powers of the chief justice to ensure court operations.

§ 8-15-2.1. Powers of the chief justice to ensure court operations.
(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.
History of Section.
P.L. 2021, ch. 139, § 1, effective July 3, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 140, § 1, effective July 3, 2021.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-15 - Court Administration › Section 8-15-3. - Power to assign judges.

§ 8-15-3. Power to assign judges.
In order to aid in the prompt disposition of judicial business, the chief justice shall have power to assign a judge of any trial court to sit in any other trial courts, subject to the approval of the presiding justice or the chief judge of both the sending and the receiving courts and with the consent of the judge to be assigned; the assignment to be for a designated period which designated period shall be determined by the chief justice subject to the approval of the presiding justice or the chief judge of both the sending and receiving courts and with the consent of the judge to be assigned; provided however, that if the designated period shall expire during a trial the justice may sit until the trial is completed; and, provided further, that the justice shall have the power to sit and exercise the function of a justice of the receiving court for the purpose of rendering a decision or completing any matter pending before him or her as a justice of the receiving court at the expiration of the period. Included in these matters shall be the hearing of motions for new trials, sentencing, and any and all other functions necessary to the conclusion of cases heard before him or her as a justice of the receiving court. The provisions of this section shall be interpreted and construed liberally for the purpose of accomplishing the purpose of this section. No other judge may be assigned to another court other than as provided in this section. The chief justice may terminate the temporary assignment sooner than as agreed upon if he or she determines that the need for the assignment no longer exists.
History of Section.
P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 1; P. L. 1970, ch. 212, § 1; P.L. 2002, ch. 43, § 1; P.L. 2002, ch. 216, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-15 - Court Administration › Section 8-15-3.1. - Chief justice — Power to assign magistrates.

§ 8-15-3.1. Chief justice — Power to assign magistrates.
The Chief justice of the supreme court has the power to assign any magistrate of the superior court, family court, district court, or traffic tribunal to any court or tribunal of the unified judicial system with the consent of the presiding justice, chief judge, and/or chief magistrate of the relevant courts. When a magistrate is so assigned, he or she shall be vested, authorized, and empowered with all the powers belonging to the magistrates of the court to which he or she is specially assigned.
History of Section.
P.L. 2000, ch. 415, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 197, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 200, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 73, art. 3, § 10; P.L. 2011, ch. 292, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-15 - Court Administration › Section 8-15-4. - Appointment of court administrator and assistants.

§ 8-15-4. Appointment of court administrator and assistants.
(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.
History of Section.
P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 178, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 125, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 362, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 595, art. 45, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-15 - Court Administration › Section 8-15-4.1. - Deposit of proceeds.

§ 8-15-4.1. Deposit of proceeds.
The state court administrator may receive the proceeds of any contract entered into by him or her for the sale, lease, or transfer of any computer hardware, software, or related services produced, maintained, or developed by the administrative office of state courts. Such proceeds shall be deposited as general revenues.
History of Section.
P.L. 1983, ch. 270, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 370, art. 40, § 39.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-15 - Court Administration › Section 8-15-5. - Advisory board.

§ 8-15-5. Advisory board.
The chief justice shall appoint an advisory board to consult with him or her on administrative matters. The board shall include the four (4) associate justices of the supreme court, the presiding justice of the superior court, the chief judge of the family court, the chief judge of the district court, and the chief judge of the workers’ compensation court.
History of Section.
P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 132, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 205, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 453, § 13; P.L. 1995, ch. 176, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 218, art. 5, § 8.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-15 - Court Administration › Section 8-15-6. - Internal administration of courts not affected.

§ 8-15-6. Internal administration of courts not affected.
The presiding judge of the superior court, the chief judge of the family court, the chief judge of the district court, the chief judge of the workers’ compensation court, and the chief magistrate of the traffic tribunal shall have the power to administer the affairs of their respective courts; to establish calendars and to assign magistrates and judges to those calendars; to appoint administrative and clerical personnel for their courts; to act as authorized agent for their court; and to make rules for the conduct of their business, not inconsistent with the rules promulgated for the courts pursuant to § 8-6-2.
History of Section.
P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 176, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 218, art. 5, § 8; P.L. 2004, ch. 595, art. 45, § 5; P.L. 2008, ch. 1, § 7.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-15 - Court Administration › Section 8-15-7. - Annual report of the judiciary.

§ 8-15-7. Annual report of the judiciary.
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.
History of Section.
P.L. 1975, ch. 247, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-15 - Court Administration › Section 8-15-8. - Repealed.

§ 8-15-8. Repealed.
History of Section.
P.L. 1978, ch. 191, § 1; P.L. 1980, ch. 250, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 293, § 4; Repealed by P.L. 2006, ch. 366, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 476, § 2. The repeal was contingent on approval of an amendment to Article 2, § 1 of the Rhode Island Constitution, which was approved at the general election on November 7, 2006.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-15 - Court Administration › Section 8-15-9. - Supervision of court imposed and court related costs, fines, restitution, and other payments, deposits, and receipts.

§ 8-15-9. Supervision of court imposed and court related costs, fines, restitution, and other payments, deposits, and receipts.
Within the administrative office of the state courts there shall be a finance section. The director of the finance section shall be appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court, and approved by a majority vote of the advisory board. The director of the finance section shall monitor the handling, collection, receipt, and disbursement of all court imposed or court related fees, fines, costs, assessments, charges, and other monetary payments, deposits, and receipts, including, but not limited to, filing fees, court costs and fees, bail, fines, judgments, awards, restitution payments, registry of court accounts, restricted receipts accounts, child support and other support orders, and court stenographers’ accounts. The director shall be responsible for all bookkeeping and accounting of money collected or received by the clerks of the various state courts including, but not limited to, §§ 8-4-8, 8-8-16, 8-8-17, 8-8.2-3 and 8-10-10. The director shall formulate and publish a policy which shall standardize the procedures for the handling, collection, receipt, and disbursement of court imposed or court related monetary payments, deposits, and receipts. The court may require all persons who enter into a payment plan for the payment of court imposed or court related fees, fines, court costs, assessments, charges and/or any other monetary obligations to provide a valid social security number, valid driver’s license number, and date of birth at the time they enter into said payment plan. Provided, however, social security numbers and driver’s license numbers shall not be part of the public record and shall be used for collection purposes only.
History of Section.
P.L. 1988, ch. 129, art. 25, § 6; P.L. 1995, ch. 176, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 218, art. 5, § 8; P.L. 2005, ch. 117, art. 25, § 2; P.L. 2007, ch. 154, § 2; P.L. 2007, ch. 160, § 2; P.L. 2009, ch. 294, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-15 - Court Administration › Section 8-15-9.1. - Payment by credit card.

§ 8-15-9.1. Payment by credit card.
(a)
The director of the finance section of the state courts shall establish procedures, in conjunction with the state controller and general treasurer, by which court imposed fines and costs may be paid by credit card presented at the offices of the court clerks. These procedures may include the imposition of a surcharge on the credit card user for each transaction. This surcharge shall not exceed the amount charged to the state by the credit card contractor for the corresponding transaction. Nothing contained in this section shall require justices of the peace acting as bail commissioners to accept credit cards during the hours when the clerk’s offices are closed.
(b)
No person making any payment by credit card shall be relieved from liability for the underlying obligation except to the extent that the state realizes final payment of the underlying obligation in cash or the equivalent. If final payment is not made by the credit card issuer or other guarantor of payment in the credit card transaction, then the underlying obligation shall survive and the state shall retain all remedies for enforcement which would have applied if the credit card transaction had not occurred. No contract may modify the provisions of this subsection.
(c)
Credit card account numbers in the possession of a state or local government are confidential and shall not be deemed public records.
History of Section.
P.L. 2002, ch. 65, art. 13, § 28.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-15 - Court Administration › Section 8-15-9.2. - Information to be provided to State Controller.

§ 8-15-9.2. Information to be provided to State Controller.
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.
History of Section.
P.L. 2005, ch. 117, art. 25, § 3; P.L. 2007, ch. 154, § 2; P.L. 2007, ch. 160, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-15 - Court Administration › Section 8-15-9.3. - Public inspection of court payments owed.

§ 8-15-9.3. Public inspection of court payments owed.
(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.
History of Section.
P.L. 2005, ch. 117, art. 25, § 3; P.L. 2007, ch. 154, § 2; P.L. 2007, ch. 160, § 2; P.L. 2016, ch. 35, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 36, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 65, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 70, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-15 - Court Administration › Section 8-15-10. - Receipt and use of funds.

§ 8-15-10. Receipt and use of funds.
There is hereby established in the judicial department a restricted receipt account referred to as “Third Party Grants.” The judicial department shall have the authority to receive and expend monies from gifts, devises, grants, bequests, or donations. The judicial department is authorized to enter into any contracts necessary to obtain and expend those funds.
History of Section.
P.L. 2013, ch. 144, art. 16, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-15 - Court Administration › Section 8-15-11. - Electronic filing and online payments.

§ 8-15-11. Electronic filing and online payments.
(a)
In addition to any other filing fees or court costs required by law or court rule, parties to any court matter may be required to pay a technology surcharge or fee not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) at the inception or the conclusion of any case, or upon making any electronic payment online to any of the courts within the unified judicial system. Such surcharges or fees shall be determined by the state court administrator with the approval of the chief justice.
(b)
The collection of technology surcharges shall be monitored and supervised by the judiciary’s director of finance and shall be deposited into a restricted receipt account designated as “Rhode Island judiciary technology surcharge account,” the proceeds of which shall be solely for use by the judiciary in support of its technology infrastructure and case management system. On or before January 15, 2015, and annually thereafter on or before January 15, the judiciary’s director of finance shall file a report with the governor, the speaker of the house, and the president of the senate detailing: (1) The total amount of funds collected and deposited into the judiciary technology surcharge account for the most recently completed fiscal year; (2) The fund balance as of the date of the report; (3) An itemization of all expenditures and other uses of said funds from said account for the most recently completed fiscal year; and (4) An annual evaluation as to the appropriateness of the amount of the technology surcharge or fee.
(c)
The implementation of electronic court records shall not alter the application of § 38-2-5 to any judicial records, whether in paper or electronic format.
History of Section.
P.L. 2014, ch. 34, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 42, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-16 - Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline › Section 8-16-1. - Composition — Appointment.

§ 8-16-1. Composition — Appointment.
(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.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 136, § 1; P.L. 1983, c. 26, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 332, art. 1, § 13; P.L. 1991, ch. 132, § 2; P.L. 1991, ch. 205, § 2; P.L. 2001, ch. 180, § 5; P.L. 2007, ch. 124, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 178, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 115, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 121, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-16 - Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline › Section 8-16-2. - Terms of the commissioners.

§ 8-16-2. Terms of the commissioners.
Except as otherwise provided, the members of the commission shall serve for terms of three (3) years; provided, however, that the initial appointments shall be so staggered that one of each class of members so appointed shall serve for a term of one year, one for two (2) years, and one for three (3) years. The appointment by the supreme court of the member of the judiciary at large shall be for a term of three (3) years. No member shall be eligible for reappointment to another term if he or she has served more than six (6) consecutive years. Vacancies other than those arising through the expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term in the same manner as vacancies due to the expiration of the term.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 136, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 62, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 94, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-16 - Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline › Section 8-16-3. - Meetings of the commission — Compensation.

§ 8-16-3. Meetings of the commission — Compensation.
(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.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 136, § 1; P.L. 1983, ch. 319, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 63, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 171, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-16 - Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline › Section 8-16-4.1. - Subpoena powers of commission.

§ 8-16-4.1. Subpoena powers of commission.
The members of the commission are hereby severally authorized and empowered to administer oaths; and the commission, in all cases of every nature pending before it, is hereby authorized and empowered to summon and examine witnesses and to compel the production and examination of papers, books, accounts, documents, records, certificates, and other legal evidence that may be necessary or proper for the determination and decision of any question before or the discharge of any duty required by law of the commission. All subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum shall be signed by the chairperson or, in the absence or disqualification of the chairperson, by any other member thereof, shall be served as subpoenas are now served in civil cases in the superior court; and witnesses so subpoenaed shall be entitled to the same fees for attendance and travel as are now provided for witnesses in civil cases in the superior court. If any person fails to obey the command of any such subpoena without reasonable cause, or if a person in attendance before the commission shall, without reasonable cause, refuse to be sworn, or to be examined, or to answer a legal and pertinent question, the commission may apply to any justice of the superior court, upon proof by affidavit of the fact, for a rule or order, returnable in not less than two (2) or more than five (5) days, directing the person to show cause why he or she should not be adjudged in contempt. Upon the return of the order, the justice before whom the matter is brought for a hearing shall examine under oath the person and such person shall be given an opportunity to be heard, and if the justice shall determine that the person has refused without reasonable cause or legal excuse to be examined, or to answer a legal and pertinent question, or to produce books, accounts, papers, records, and documents material to the issue which he or she was ordered to bring or produce, he or she may forthwith commit the person to the adult correctional institutions, there to remain until he or she submits to do the act which he or she was so required to do, or is discharged according to law. If an application for contempt pursuant to this section relates to the actions of a witness at a public hearing, then the papers filed with and proceedings before the court shall be open to the public; otherwise, such papers and proceedings shall be confidential.
History of Section.
P.L. 1976, ch. 312, § 2; P.L. 1987, ch. 492, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-16 - Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline › Section 8-16-4.2. - Discovery.

§ 8-16-4.2. Discovery.
After the commission institutes formal proceedings and schedules a public hearing, the commission and the judge shall be entitled to conduct discovery in the same manner as litigants in civil cases in the superior court, and the superior court rules of civil procedure shall govern all such discovery. Except as provided in § 8-16-13, all discovery proceedings and all materials obtained by either side through discovery shall be kept confidential. Any disputes concerning discovery shall be heard on motion before the presiding justice of the superior court; provided, however, that if the presiding justice is the subject of the commission proceeding in question, then such motions shall be heard before the senior associate justice of the superior court. All papers filed with and proceedings before the superior court pursuant to this section shall be confidential.
History of Section.
P.L. 1987, ch. 492, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 332, art. 1, § 13.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-16 - Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline › Section 8-16-4.3. - Compelling evidence in commission proceedings — Immunity.

§ 8-16-4.3. Compelling evidence in commission proceedings — Immunity.
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.
History of Section.
P.L. 1987, ch. 492, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-16 - Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline › Section 8-16-5. - Certification of recommendations to supreme court.

§ 8-16-5. Certification of recommendations to supreme court.
Whenever the commission shall make a determination recommending the reprimand, censure, suspension, immediate temporary suspension, removal, or retirement of a member of the judiciary, it shall file forthwith a copy of the recommendation, certified by the chairperson, together with the transcript and the findings and conclusions, with the chief justice of the supreme court, and the commission shall forthwith give the member of the judiciary written notice of the filing, together with a copy of its findings and recommendations. The notice shall be mailed to the chambers of the judge or to his or her last known place of residence or may be personally delivered to him or her by a member of the commission. The transcript and the findings, conclusions, and recommendation of the commission shall be public documents, except when they relate to a hearing concerning a private reprimand pursuant to § 8-16-4(d), in which case they shall be kept confidential.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 136, § 1; P.L. 1976, ch. 312, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 492, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-16 - Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline › Section 8-16-6. - Review of commission’s recommendations by supreme court.

§ 8-16-6. Review of commission’s recommendations by supreme court.
(a)
The supreme court may on its own motion and shall upon petition of a judge who has been adversely affected by a recommendation of the commission review the record of the commission’s proceedings on the law and on the facts and may, for the purposes of the review, permit the introduction of additional evidence and shall have the power to subpoena witnesses and administer oaths. The supreme court may, upon review of a recommendation of censure, suspension, immediate temporary suspension, reprimand, retirement, or removal, affirm, modify, or reject the recommendation of the commission.
(b)
A petition to the supreme court to modify or reject the recommendation of the commission for reprimand, censure, suspension, immediate temporary suspension, removal, or retirement of a judge shall be filed with the chief justice of the supreme court and the chairperson of the commission within twenty (20) days after the filing of a certified copy of the recommendation of the commission. The petition shall be verified, shall specify the grounds relied upon, and shall be accompanied by a brief. Within twenty (20) days of the filing of the petition, the commission may file a respondent’s brief with the chief justice of the supreme court and the petitioner within ten (10) days after service of respondent’s brief, the petitioner may file a reply brief, of which one copy shall be served on the commission. Petitions and briefs filed pursuant to this section shall be public documents.
(c)
The supreme court may hold such hearings as it deems necessary when reviewing recommendations of the commission, and where the review is conducted pursuant to a petition therefor, its decision shall be rendered not later than ninety (90) days after the filing of that petition. Hearings before the supreme court pursuant to this section shall be open to the public, and the court’s decision shall be public and shall be published in the same manner as other decisions of the supreme court.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 136, § 1; P.L. 1976, ch. 312, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 492, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-16 - Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline › Section 8-16-6.1. - Suspension of judge pending review.

§ 8-16-6.1. Suspension of judge pending review.
Whenever the supreme court reviews a commission recommendation for the suspension, immediate temporary suspension, removal, or retirement of a judge other than a justice of the supreme court, the commission may, in its discretion, order the suspension of the judge pending the completion of the review. The suspension shall be without loss of compensation.
History of Section.
P.L. 1987, ch. 492, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts › Chapter 8-16 - Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline › Section 8-16-7. - Power of the supreme court to discipline, suspend, or remove judges.

§ 8-16-7. Power of the supreme court to discipline, suspend, or remove judges.
(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.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 136, § 1; P.L. 1976, ch. 312, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 492, § 1.