Opinion ID: 2063595
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Explanation, P.L. 1976, ch. 140.

Text: This act is intended to accomplish a substantial restructuring of the jurisdiction of Rhode Island's trial courts by transferring certain non-jury proceedings from the superior court to the district court. At the present time, it is generally acknowledged that one of the most urgent needs of the state's justice system is speedier disposition of jury trials, both criminal and civil. This is particularly crucial on the criminal side where delay between apprehension and trial is believed by many experts to contribute significantly to increased crime rates by impairing the deterrent factor of speedy punishment. Although delay in bringing cases to trial in the Rhode Island superior court is not as severe as in some jurisdictions, it does exist and, in the view of many, can be reduced in meaningful fashion through more efficient utilization of existing judicial manpower and facilities. In considering ways to accomplish this objective, the commission to study criminal procedures surveyed the workloads and capabilities of the state's trial courts. It concluded that at the present time the superior court is overburdened while the district court is not being utilized to its fullest capacity. Thus, the commission turned its attention to a proposal to reallocate the jurisdiction of these courts by shifting part of the caseload of the superior court to the district court, thereby making available additional time of superior court judges for jury trials  particularly felony cases. The commission's survey, however, revealed two major limitations on the types of matters that could be shifted to the district court. First the district court historically has not kept verbatim records of its proceedings. Second, it sits without juries and presently lacks the necessary physical facilities to conduct jury trials. Principally as a result of these factors, all of the district court's final judgments are subject to trial de novo in the superior court, thereby creating duplication of effort. The commission concluded that unless these impediments could be overcome, there would be little in the way of meaningful reallocation of jurisdiction that could be accomplished. The commission surveyed various proposals and concluded that, without a substantial expenditure for the renovation or construction of facilities, it is not feasible to provide the district court with the capacity to conduct jury trials. It found, however, that for a relatively modest expenditure the district court could be made a court of record by the installation of electronic recording machines in each division of the district court. The installation of these devices would make it unnecessary to provide trials de novo in the superior court of non-jury matters tried in the district court since a full record of the proceedings would then be available for ordinary appellate review. Proceeding on the assumption that sufficient funds would be appropriated and that adequate electronic recording devices would be installed in the district court, thereby making it a court of record, the commission surveyed the superior court's non-jury jurisdiction to determine which types of proceedings account for a sufficient portion of that court's workload to make transfer to the district court worthwhile and suitable. After consulting with the presiding justice of the superior court, the chief judge of the district court and the court administrator, and after lengthy deliberation, the commission concluded that it would be appropriate and feasible to transfer to the original jurisdiction of the district court the following non-jury proceedings: involuntary civil commitment under the mental health, drug abuse and alcoholism laws; review of decisions of the registrar of motor vehicles and the traffic violation hearing board; review of decisions by the tax administrator, the liquor control board, and the employment security board. In addition, it was deemed appropriate to transfer to the district court jurisdiction to enforce subpoenas issued by these agencies or officials and to entertain proceedings to compel compliance with the regulatory schemes administered by them. Based upon the superior court's workload of the past few years, it is estimated that the transfer of these proceedings to the district court will relieve the superior court of approximately 95% of the total appeals and other proceedings arising out of all civil commitment and regulatory legislation presently within that court's jurisdiction and will release a significant amount of judicial time for the trial of criminal and civil cases. Under this act, civil commitment proceedings or proceedings involving these agencies or officials are to be brought in the sixth division of the district court. Since all proceedings will be recorded, it will no longer be necessary to retry these matters de novo in the superior court. Instead, review of a determination by the district court will be in the supreme court either by writ of certiorari pursuant to the administrative procedure act, G.L. 1956, section 42-35-16 (1969 reenactment), or by appeal in cases involving adjudications of contempt or where expressly provided in a particular act, as for example under the mental health act, G.L. 1956, section 40.1-5-8(11) (1969 reenactment). In essence, in all of the areas affected by this act, proceedings in the superior court have been eliminated entirely and proceedings in the district court replace them. In addition to freeing up time for the superior court, this proposal is expected to have a number of collateral benefits. First, the installation of electronic recording machines will mean that a full record will exist of various initial proceedings that occur in the district court in felony cases  for example, bail hearings and preliminary examinations. This will eliminate the need for transferring to the superior court bail hearings in cases involving serious felonies (see rule 5, dist. R. crim. P.) and also make available to both sides a complete, accurate record of any testimony taken in the district court. Moreover, the installation of recording devices will open the possibility of ultimately modifying the existing system of trial de novo in the superior court in cases within the district court's original jurisdiction for which trial by jury is not required. Finally, the commission to study criminal procedures views this act as an interim step in the direction of fuller integration and more efficient use of the state's existing judicial resources. It is anticipated that enhancing the responsibility and prestige of the district court while reducing some of the heavy burdens of the superior court will lead to further proposals for better utilization of the courts and thereby produce a more effective system of justice. The act would take effect on October 1, 1976. All proceedings which were commenced in the superior court prior to October 1, 1976, shall remain in that court until disposed of finally.