Title 8 — Courts and Civil Procedure — Courts

Chapter 8-1 Supreme Court

§ 8-1-1 Composition — Effect of resignation or retirement on pending cases.

§ 8-1-2 Jurisdiction and powers of court.

§ 8-1-3 Written opinions.

§ 8-1-4 Seal of court.

§ 8-1-5 Reporter — Appointment and tenure.

§ 8-1-6 Duties of reporter.

§ 8-1-7 Printing of reports.

§ 8-1-8 Distribution of reports — Payment of cost.

§ 8-1-9 Judicial conference of Rhode Island.

Chapter 8-1.1 Selection of Supreme Court Justices [Repealed.]

§ 8-1.1-1 — 8-1.1-9 Repealed.

Chapter 8-2 Superior Court

§ 8-2-1 Composition.

§ 8-2-1.1 Repealed.

§ 8-2-1.2 Repealed.

§ 8-2-2 Repealed.

§ 8-2-3 Time and place of holding court.

§ 8-2-4 Presiding justice as administrative judge.

§ 8-2-5 Repealed.

§ 8-2-6 Recommendations by administrative judge to chief justice.

§ 8-2-7 Information requests by administrative judge.

§ 8-2-8 Repealed.

§ 8-2-9 Repealed.

§ 8-2-10 Repealed.

§ 8-2-11 Administrative clerk.

§ 8-2-11.1 Administrator/magistrate.

§ 8-2-12 Seal of superior court.

§ 8-2-13 Exclusive jurisdiction of equity actions.

§ 8-2-13.1 Retaining equity jurisdiction during arbitration.

§ 8-2-14 Jurisdiction of actions at law.

§ 8-2-15 Criminal jurisdiction.

§ 8-2-15.1 Gun court calendar.

§ 8-2-16 Jurisdiction of motions for new trial and extraordinary writs.

§ 8-2-17 Jurisdiction of appeals, statutory proceedings, and probate matters.

§ 8-2-18 — 8-2-22 Repealed.

§ 8-2-23 One justice quorum — Two or more sitting together.

§ 8-2-24 Simultaneous sessions.

§ 8-2-25 Powers of supreme court justice in vacation.

§ 8-2-26 Power of justice after retirement, resignation, or elevation.

§ 8-2-27 Venue — Consolidation of actions.

§ 8-2-28 Transfer of papers between counties.

§ 8-2-29 Grounds for change of venue.

§ 8-2-30 Petition for change of venue.

§ 8-2-31 Order for change of venue.

§ 8-2-32 Retention of papers or return to original county.

§ 8-2-33 Territorial extent of powers of justices.

§ 8-2-34 Impaneling and instruction of grand juries.

§ 8-2-35 Arraignment of persons presented — Warrants on indictments or information.

§ 8-2-36 Admission to bail.

§ 8-2-37 Requiring recognizance of criminal complainants.

§ 8-2-38 Instructions to jury.

§ 8-2-39 General magistrate — Appointment, duties and powers.

§ 8-2-39.1 Special magistrate.

§ 8-2-39.2 Drug court magistrate — Appointment, duties and powers.

§ 8-2-39.3 Superior court diversion.

§ 8-2-40 Land use calendar.

Chapter 8-3 Justices of Supreme, Superior, and Family Courts

§ 8-3-1 Engagement of office — Restriction on practice of law.

§ 8-3-2 Precedence of associate justices.

§ 8-3-3 Vacancy in office or inability of chief justice of supreme court.

§ 8-3-4 Vacancy in office, inability, or absence of presiding justice of superior court.

§ 8-3-5 Repealed.

§ 8-3-6 Justices as conservators of peace — Powers in criminal cases.

§ 8-3-7 Retirement of justices on reduced pay — Assignment as associate justices.

§ 8-3-7.1 Repealed.

§ 8-3-7.2 No incremental retirement benefit for temporary service as chief justice, presiding justice or chief judge.

§ 8-3-8 Retirement of justices on full pay — Assignment as associate justices.

§ 8-3-8.1 Repealed.

§ 8-3-8.2 No incremental retirement benefit for temporary service as chief justice, presiding justice or chief judge.

§ 8-3-9 Computation of service time as to former courts.

§ 8-3-10 Service after retirement.

§ 8-3-11 Allowances to surviving spouses, domestic partners or minor children of deceased justices.

§ 8-3-12 Retirement of judges with general assembly or office service.

§ 8-3-13 Pension for surviving spouses or domestic partners of judges dying prior to May 10, 1974.

§ 8-3-14 Applicability of §§ 8-3-12 — 8-3-14.

§ 8-3-15 Cost-of-living allowance.

§ 8-3-16 Retirement contribution.

§ 8-3-17 State contributions.

§ 8-3-18 Calculation of retirement benefits.

§ 8-3-19 Domestic partner — Definition.

§ 8-3-20 Severability.

Chapter 8-4 Clerks of Supreme and Superior Courts

§ 8-4-1 Clerk of supreme court.

§ 8-4-2 Appointment and term of supreme court clerk.

§ 8-4-3 Vacancy in office of clerk.

§ 8-4-3.1 Repealed.

§ 8-4-4 Clerks of superior court.

§ 8-4-4.1 Retirement of superior court clerks as clerks emeritus.

§ 8-4-5 Appointment, terms, and salaries of superior court clerks.

§ 8-4-6 Vacancies in office of superior court clerk.

§ 8-4-7 Repealed.

§ 8-4-8 General duties of clerks.

§ 8-4-9 Duty to recite pleadings in record of judgment.

§ 8-4-10 Indexing of judgment records.

§ 8-4-11 Repealed.

§ 8-4-12 Appointment of clerk pro tempore.

§ 8-4-13 Qualification and compensation of clerk pro tempore.

§ 8-4-14 Appointment of deputies.

§ 8-4-15 Removal of deputies — Compensation — Liability for misconduct or neglect.

§ 8-4-16 Assistant supreme court clerks.

§ 8-4-17 Appointment of assistant superior court clerks — Employment of clerical assistance by the presiding justice.

§ 8-4-18 Powers of assistants in Providence and Bristol counties.

§ 8-4-19 Employment of clerical assistants in Kent, Washington, and Newport counties.

§ 8-4-20 Custody of files and records.

§ 8-4-21 General assistant clerks.

Chapter 8-4.1 Court Clerks’ Incentive Pay

§ 8-4.1-1 Incentive pay plan.

§ 8-4.1-2 Eligibility for plan.

§ 8-4.1-3 Incentive steps.

§ 8-4.1-4 Eligible education.

§ 8-4.1-5 Appropriation.

§ 8-4.1-6 [Repealed.]

§ 8-4.1-7 Effective date.

Chapter 8-5 Court Secretaries, Court Reporters, and Electronic Court Reporters

§ 8-5-1 Supreme court secretary and assistant.

§ 8-5-2 Superior court secretary and assistants.

§ 8-5-3 Appointment of superior court reporters and electronic court reporters.

§ 8-5-4 Court reporters and electronic court reporters — Supplies and preservation of notes and other materials.

§ 8-5-4.1 Freelance court reporters and electronic court reporters.

§ 8-5-5 Reports of superior, family and district court and traffic tribunal.

§ 8-5-6 Appointing court reporter and electronic court reporter for grand jury proceedings.

§ 8-5-7 Appropriations for court reporters and electronic court reporters.

§ 8-5-8 Sign language interpreters/transliterators and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) providers for deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind persons.

§ 8-5-8.1 Waiver of interpreter/transliterator and CART provider.

§ 8-5-8.2 Privileged communications.

§ 8-5-8.3 Visual recording of testimony.

§ 8-5-9 Right to stenographic record.

Chapter 8-6 General Powers of Supreme and Superior Courts

§ 8-6-1 Judgments, decrees, and orders — Writs and process — Punishment of contempt.

§ 8-6-2 Rules of practice and procedure.

§ 8-6-3 Filing and publication of rules.

§ 8-6-4 Rules of criminal procedure.

§ 8-6-5 Arbitration of civil actions.

§ 8-6-6 Filing and publication of rules and regulations.

Chapter 8-7 Sessions of Supreme and Superior Courts

§ 8-7-1 Supreme court sessions.

§ 8-7-2 Sessions of superior court.

§ 8-7-3 Superior court motion days.

§ 8-7-4 — 8-7-6 Repealed.

§ 8-7-7 Adjournment in absence of quorum or presiding justice.

§ 8-7-8 Adjournment of superior court by clerk.

§ 8-7-9 Repealed.

§ 8-7-10 Superior court always open for business.

§ 8-7-11 Repealed.

Chapter 8-8 District Court

§ 8-8-1 District Court established — Chief and associate justices.

§ 8-8-1.1 Veterans’ treatment calendar.

§ 8-8-1.2 Mental health treatment calendar.

§ 8-8-2 Divisions.

§ 8-8-3 Jurisdiction.

§ 8-8-3.1 Equitable powers as to housing matters.

§ 8-8-3.2 Record and appeal of housing matters.

§ 8-8-3.3 Equitable powers in residential landlord and tenant matters.

§ 8-8-3.4 Equitable powers in abusive litigation matters.

§ 8-8-4 Habeas corpus.

§ 8-8-5 Contempt of court.

§ 8-8-6 Special service of process.

§ 8-8-7 Judges — Temporary service in other courts.

§ 8-8-8 Engagement and acceptance of appointment.

§ 8-8-8.1 Administrator/clerk — Magistrate.

§ 8-8-9 Vacancies.

§ 8-8-10 Repealed.

§ 8-8-10.1 Retirement contribution.

§ 8-8-10.2 State contributions.

§ 8-8-11 Repealed.

§ 8-8-12 Duties of chief judge.

§ 8-8-12.1 Constable regulation program.

§ 8-8-13 Sessions of the court.

§ 8-8-14 [Repealed.]

§ 8-8-15 Chief, deputy, and assistant clerks.

§ 8-8-16 Duties of district court clerks.

§ 8-8-16.1 Office of clerk/magistrate — Purpose.

§ 8-8-16.2 District court clerk/magistrate.

§ 8-8-17 Duties of division clerks.

§ 8-8-18 Failure of clerk to account for fines and costs.

§ 8-8-19 Duties of chief clerk.

§ 8-8-20 Sale of blank writs prohibited.

§ 8-8-21 District court conference.

§ 8-8-22 Statutory references to earlier courts.

§ 8-8-23 Savings clause.

§ 8-8-24 Tax proceedings to be without jury and de novo — Precedence on calendar.

§ 8-8-25 Time for commencement of proceeding against the division of taxation.

§ 8-8-26 Prepayment as condition precedent to review of tax case.

§ 8-8-27 Refund suits.

§ 8-8-28 Burden of proof in tax cases.

§ 8-8-29 Court stenographer in tax cases.

§ 8-8-30 Decision of the court — Form and contents.

§ 8-8-31 Frivolous appeals.

§ 8-8-32 Review by supreme court.

§ 8-8-33 Severability.

Chapter 8-8.1 Domestic Assault

§ 8-8.1-1 Definitions.

§ 8-8.1-2 Filing of complaint.

§ 8-8.1-3 Protective orders — Penalty — Jurisdiction.

§ 8-8.1-4 Temporary orders — Ex parte proceedings.

§ 8-8.1-4.1 Report to law enforcement agency.

§ 8-8.1-4.2 Return of service — Alternate service.

§ 8-8.1-5 Duties of police officers.

§ 8-8.1-6 Form of complaint.

§ 8-8.1-7 Notice of penalties — Notice of renewal.

§ 8-8.1-8 Appeal.

Chapter 8-8.2 Traffic Tribunal

§ 8-8.2-1 Establishment — Rulemaking authority — Adjudication of violations.

§ 8-8.2-2 Jurisdiction.

§ 8-8.2-3 Collection authority — Contempt.

§ 8-8.2-4 Subpoena.

§ 8-8.2-5 Security officers — Powers.

§ 8-8.2-6 Retirement of judges on reduced pay.

§ 8-8.2-7 Retirement contribution.

§ 8-8.2-8 State contributions.

§ 8-8.2-9 Retirement of judges on reduced pay.

§ 8-8.2-10 No incremental retirement benefit for temporary service as chief justice, presiding justice or chief judge or chief magistrate.

§ 8-8.2-11 Allowance to surviving spouses or domestic partners of deceased judges.

§ 8-8.2-12 Additional benefits payable to retired judges and their surviving spouses or domestic partners.

§ 8-8.2-13 Calculation of retirement benefits.

§ 8-8.2-14 Transfer of records and other property.

§ 8-8.2-15 Transfer of employees.

§ 8-8.2-16 Interpretation.

§ 8-8.2-17 Repealed.

§ 8-8.2-18 Custody of records.

§ 8-8.2-19 Severability.

§ 8-8.2-20 Domestic partner — Definition.

§ 8-8.2-21 Abstracts of court records — Traffic tribunal.

Chapter 8-8.3 Extreme Risk Protection Orders

§ 8-8.3-1 Definitions.

§ 8-8.3-2 Filing of petition.

§ 8-8.3-3 Contents of petition.

§ 8-8.3-4 Temporary orders — Proceedings.

§ 8-8.3-5 Hearings on petition — Grounds for issuance — Contents of order.

§ 8-8.3-6 Service of one-year extreme risk protection orders.

§ 8-8.3-7 Termination — Expiration — Renewal of orders.

§ 8-8.3-8 Firearms return — Disposal.

§ 8-8.3-9 Reporting of orders.

§ 8-8.3-10 Penalties.

§ 8-8.3-11 Liability.

§ 8-8.3-12 Required notice on orders — Confidentiality of proceedings.

§ 8-8.3-13 Appeal.

§ 8-8.3-14 Severability.

Chapter 8-8.4 Abusive Litigation.

§ 8-8.4-1 Definitions.

§ 8-8.4-2 Order restricting abusive litigation.

§ 8-8.4-3 Hearing — Procedure.

§ 8-8.4-4 Burden of proof.

§ 8-8.4-5 Filing of a new case by a person subject to an order restricting abusive litigation.

§ 8-8.4-6 Construction.

Chapter 8-9 Probate Courts

§ 8-9-1, 8-9-2. Repealed

§ 8-9-2.1 Probate judges — Qualifications.

§ 8-9-2.2 New Shoreham town council as probate court.

§ 8-9-2.3 Probate judge in town where council sits as probate court.

§ 8-9-3 Providence probate court.

§ 8-9-4 Election and powers of probate judge.

§ 8-9-5 Disqualification or inability of probate judge.

§ 8-9-6 Town or city clerk as clerk of court.

§ 8-9-7 Duties of probate clerk.

§ 8-9-8 Clerk pro tempore in absence of probate clerk.

§ 8-9-9 General probate jurisdiction.

§ 8-9-10 Appointment and supervision of temporary custodians of decedents’ estates.

§ 8-9-11 Power to take probate and grant administration of decedents’ estates.

§ 8-9-12 Payment of legacies.

§ 8-9-13 Revocation or modification of warrants and commissions.

§ 8-9-14 Revocation or modification of orders or decrees.

§ 8-9-15 Annulment of probate of will.

§ 8-9-16 Confirmation of prior acts and proceedings.

§ 8-9-17 Power to summon and receive evidence.

§ 8-9-17.1 Subpoenas issued by other officials.

§ 8-9-18 Judicial aid in taking possession of property of estates.

§ 8-9-19 Expense of commitment for failure to deliver property of estate.

§ 8-9-20 Right to counsel of person suspected of withholding property.

§ 8-9-21 Contempt of court — Habeas corpus.

§ 8-9-22 Presumption of death from sea disaster.

§ 8-9-23 Missing person — Presumption of death.

Chapter 8-10 Family Court

§ 8-10-1 Short title.

§ 8-10-2 Purpose of chapter.

§ 8-10-3 Establishment of court — Jurisdiction — Seal — Oaths.

§ 8-10-3.1 Magistrates — Appointment, duties, and powers.

§ 8-10-3.2 General magistrate of the family court.

§ 8-10-4 Criminal cases referred to family court.

§ 8-10-5 Attempts at reconciliation by family court.

§ 8-10-6 Notice to department of human services.

§ 8-10-7 Family counselling service.

§ 8-10-8 Medical, psychological, and other expert assistance.

§ 8-10-9 Assistance of services of department of corrections.

§ 8-10-10 Family court registry.

§ 8-10-11 Repealed.

§ 8-10-12 Vacancy in office or inability of chief judge of family court.

§ 8-10-13 Repealed.

§ 8-10-14 Administration of operation of family court.

§ 8-10-14.1 Powers of justices of the peace.

§ 8-10-14.2 Recording and certification of appointments and revocations — Signature of warrants.

§ 8-10-15 Family court administrator.

§ 8-10-16 Quarters.

§ 8-10-17 Repealed.

§ 8-10-18 Repealed.

§ 8-10-19 Limitation on transfer or parole of juveniles.

§ 8-10-20 Repealed.

§ 8-10-21 Records of court.

§ 8-10-22 Intake department — Duties.

§ 8-10-23 Intake supervisors.

§ 8-10-23.1 Statewide juvenile hearing board.

§ 8-10-23.2 Creating a juvenile hearing board.

§ 8-10-23.3 Jamestown juvenile hearing board.

§ 8-10-23.4 North Providence juvenile hearing board.

§ 8-10-23.5 Smithfield juvenile hearing board.

§ 8-10-24 Sessions, motions, assignments, etc.

§ 8-10-25 — 8-10-27 Repealed.

§ 8-10-28 Authority and duties of clerk.

§ 8-10-29 Report of divorce proceedings to director of health.

§ 8-10-30 Appointment of clerk pro tempore.

§ 8-10-31 Appointment of deputies.

§ 8-10-32 Employment of clerical assistance by clerk.

§ 8-10-33 Powers of assistant clerks of family court.

§ 8-10-34 Court secretary and assistant.

§ 8-10-35 Appointment of stenographers.

§ 8-10-36 Court reporters and court recording clerks — Supplies and preservation of notes and other materials.

§ 8-10-37 Report of trials — Transcripts.

§ 8-10-38 Judgments, decrees, and orders — Punishment for contempt.

§ 8-10-38.1 Imprisonment for contempt.

§ 8-10-39 Repealed.

§ 8-10-40, 8-10-41. Repealed

§ 8-10-42 Engagement — Precedence — Retirement and powers of justices.

§ 8-10-42.1 Service after retirement.

§ 8-10-43 References to family court — Powers and duties.

§ 8-10-43.1 Venue of criminal offenses.

§ 8-10-44 Annual appropriations.

§ 8-10-45 Severability.

Chapter 8-11 Motion Days and Terms of Court

§ 8-11-1 Assignment or motion day falling on holiday.

§ 8-11-2 Number of sessions on motion days.

§ 8-11-3 Filing and notice of motions in supreme and superior courts.

§ 8-11-4 Docketing and calling of motions — Calendar.

§ 8-11-5 Business continued by adjournment.

§ 8-11-6 Continuance of business when court fails to meet.

§ 8-11-7 Postponement of hearing.

Chapter 8-12 Conditional Escheat of Unclaimed Funds in Court Registries

§ 8-12-1 Report of unclaimed funds in court registries.

§ 8-12-2 Deposit of unclaimed funds.

§ 8-12-3 Claim for escheated funds.

Chapter 8-13 Judicial Council

§ 8-13-1 Creation — Composition.

§ 8-13-2 Appointment of members — Vacancies.

§ 8-13-3 Officers of council.

§ 8-13-4 Powers and duties.

§ 8-13-5 Compensation of secretary — Expenses of council.

Chapter 8-14 Inactive Records

§ 8-14-1 Management, storage, and disposition of state court records.

§ 8-14-2 Attorney records.

§ 8-14-3 — 8-14-5 Repealed.

Chapter 8-15 Court Administration

§ 8-15-1 Unified system.

§ 8-15-2 Executive head of system.

§ 8-15-2.1 Powers of the chief justice to ensure court operations.

§ 8-15-3 Power to assign judges.

§ 8-15-3.1 Chief justice — Power to assign magistrates.

§ 8-15-4 Appointment of court administrator and assistants.

§ 8-15-4.1 Deposit of proceeds.

§ 8-15-5 Advisory board.

§ 8-15-6 Internal administration of courts not affected.

§ 8-15-7 Annual report of the judiciary.

§ 8-15-8 Repealed.

§ 8-15-9 Supervision of court imposed and court related costs, fines, restitution, and other payments, deposits, and receipts.

§ 8-15-9.1 Payment by credit card.

§ 8-15-9.2 Information to be provided to State Controller.

§ 8-15-9.3 Public inspection of court payments owed.

§ 8-15-10 Receipt and use of funds.

§ 8-15-11 Electronic filing and online payments.

§ 8-15-12 Rhode Island judicial security act. [Effective January 1, 2026.]

Chapter 8-16 Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline

§ 8-16-1 Composition — Appointment.

§ 8-16-2 Terms of the commissioners.

§ 8-16-3 Meetings of the commission — Compensation.

§ 8-16-4 Employment of personnel — Investigation of unfitness.

§ 8-16-4.1 Subpoena powers of commission.

§ 8-16-4.2 Discovery.

§ 8-16-4.3 Compelling evidence in commission proceedings — Immunity.

§ 8-16-5 Certification of recommendations to supreme court.

§ 8-16-6 Review of commission’s recommendations by supreme court.

§ 8-16-6.1 Suspension of judge pending review.

§ 8-16-7 Power of the supreme court to discipline, suspend, or remove judges.

§ 8-16-7.1 Confidentiality of supreme court review of recommendation of private reprimand.

§ 8-16-8 Discipline of judges upon indictment or conviction for a crime.

§ 8-16-9 Retirement of judges for incapacity or disability.

§ 8-16-10 Disqualification from acting as a commissioner.

§ 8-16-11 Papers and testimony privileged.

§ 8-16-12 Rules of practice and procedure — Confidentiality of proceedings.

§ 8-16-13 Closed meetings of the commission — Public hearings — Evidence to remain confidential until made public at hearing.

§ 8-16-13.1 Related judicial proceedings — Confidentiality.

§ 8-16-14 Reasonable counsel fees.

Chapter 8-16.1 Judicial Selection

§ 8-16.1-1 Definitions.

§ 8-16.1-2 Judicial nominating commission.

§ 8-16.1-3 Reimbursement.

§ 8-16.1-4 Criteria for selection of best qualified nominees.

§ 8-16.1-5 Nomination and appointment of supreme court justices.

§ 8-16.1-6 Nomination and appointment of judges.

§ 8-16.1-7 Tenure of justices.

Chapter 8-17 Retired Justice Trial Act

§ 8-17-1 Retired justice program.

Chapter 8-18 State and Municipal Court Compact

§ 8-18-1 Legislative findings.

§ 8-18-2 Universal summons.

§ 8-18-3 Jurisdiction for certain violations. [Effective until January 15, 2027.]

§ 8-18-3 Jurisdiction for certain violations. [Effective January 15, 2027.]

§ 8-18-4 Adjudication of summonses by municipal courts.

§ 8-18-5 Administration of funds.

§ 8-18-6 Joint violation fines — Distribution of funds.

§ 8-18-7 Repealed.

§ 8-18-8 Judicial conduct.

§ 8-18-9 Appeals.

§ 8-18-10 Exclusive jurisdiction.

§ 8-18-11 Municipal court adherence to promulgated procedures.

Chapter 8-19 Language Interpreters — Use of Language Interpreters in Legal Proceedings

§ 8-19-1 Legislative declaration — Intent.

§ 8-19-2 Definitions.

§ 8-19-3 Appointment of certified or qualified interpreters.

§ 8-19-4 Compensation of interpreters.

§ 8-19-5 Certification of interpreters — Establishment and procedure.

§ 8-19-6 Severability.

§ 8-19-7 Confidential communications.

Full text is available per section.