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Rhode Island is one of the nation’s smaller states in both land mass and population. But its judicial Web site is a big help to anyone who might find himself faced with a date in a Rhode Island courtroom.

Rhode Island Supreme Court

Rhode Island’s court of last resort, the Supreme Court is the place where a final decision is reached on questions of law and equity in the state. The court fields appeals from Superior Court and Family Court, and also will hear some matters on appeal from the Rhode Island District Court and Workers’ Compensation Court.

The Supreme Court also has supervisory powers over all other state courts, including the judicial budget, and it serves a general advisory role to the legislative and executive branches of state government concerning the constitutionality of proposed legislation. The court also supervises the process of admitting attorneys to the Rhode Island bar, makes the rules for practicing law and operating courtrooms in the state, and can discipline attorneys and judges who violate those rules.

The court is composed of five justices who usually sit “en banc” – that is, all of them in session together – for the first full week of each month, except in the summer, to hear oral arguments of appeals. During oral argument week, the court hears cases that are scheduled for each day, one after another. The public is welcome to attend oral arguments on the seventh floor of the Licht Judicial Complex, 250 Benefit St., Providence.

Once oral arguments have been heard, justices will render an opinion based on those arguments, prior case records and any new briefs filed by attorneys on both sides of the case. An archive of the court’s orders also is kept online.

The court currently is composed of Chief Justice Frank J. Williams, and justices Maureen McKenna Goldberg, Francis X. Flaherty, Paul A. Suttell and William P. Robinson III.

Rhode Island Superior Court

Rhode Island’s Superior Court system provides the state’s trial courts of general jurisdiction. The superior courts have original jurisdiction in all felony proceedings, civil matters valued at $10,000 or more, and matters of equity. Its jurisdiction is concurrent with District Court in civil matters valued between $5,000 and $10,000.

Superior Court also serves as an appellate court for civil and criminal cases appealed from District Court. In the case of these appeals, a trial de novo (completely new trial) is held in Superior Court. That is different from many appellate courts, wherein the decision on the appeal is reached by reading the record of the prior court’s proceedings, receiving briefs from attorneys and perhaps hearing oral arguments but with no witnesses on the stand. The superior courts also are appellate venues for cases arising from decisions made by municipal and probate courts, and governing bodies such as local zoning boards.

Superior Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the Supreme Court in writs of habeas corpus and mandamus. Appeals from Superior Court are taken directly to the Supreme Court.

Rhode Island has but five counties, and they are divided into four Superior Court districts. Kent, Washington and Newport counties have their own superior courts, while Providence and Bristol counties are combined in a two-county district.

Rhode Island’s Superior Court has made several progressive steps in changing the state’s judicial system. In the past 10 to 15 years, the superior courts have instituted a new Gun Court (the first of its kind nationally, cutting by two-thirds the amount of time it takes for gun-related crimes to be heard in court), Drug Court to rehabilitate rather than just punish substance-abusing offenders, and a Court-Annexed Arbitration Program, which seeks quick resolutions to civil disputes less than $100,000.

Rhode Island Superior Court decisions and orders can be found online. 

Rhode Island Family Courts

Rhode Island’s Family Court system was designed to focus attention on issues that trouble families and children. Its goals are to assist, protect and, if possible, restore families whose well-being is threatened.

The courts also are to ensure that children within their jurisdiction receive the care, guidance and control necessary to safeguard their welfare and development, and to serve the best interests of the state.

When children are removed from their parents’ home, the court seeks to provide them with high-quality care in a variety of court-approved settings.

Family Court has jurisdiction to hear petitions for divorce (and can provide divorce mediation), and many motions in conjunction with such proceedings, including property distribution, alimony, child support and child custody. Judges in Family Court also hear petitions for separate maintenance and complaints regarding support for parents and children. The court has jurisdiction over matters relating to delinquent, truant, wayward, dependent, neglected, abused or mentally deficient or disordered juveniles. It also has jurisdiction over adoptions, “child marriages,” paternity proceedings and other matters involving domestic violence, domestic relations and juveniles.

Family Treatment Drug Court and Juvenile Drug Court also fall under this court system’s umbrella.

The Court Appointed Special Advocate program plays a vital role in providing a safe and fair environment to children caught in the court system.

Appeals from Family Court are taken directly to the Rhode Island Supreme Court.

Rhode Island District Courts

Most people who find themselves in a Rhode Island courtroom, find themselves in District Court. Thus, the system has been organized into five divisions to provide localized service and access.

District Court jurisdictions include small claims, landlord/tenant disputes, violations of municipal ordinances and regulations, and misdemeanors when the right to a jury trial in the first instance has been waived. If a defendant invokes his right to jury trial, the case will be transferred to Superior Court. Appeals from District Court go to Superior Court for a trial de novo.

Hearings on the involuntary hospitalization of individuals suffering from mental health and substance abuse issues also fall under District Court jurisdiction. The court hears appeals on orders of compliance with subpoenas and rulings from the state tax administrator’s office and several other regulatory agencies and boards. And, District Court handles cases involving violations of state and local housing codes except where a Municipal Court has been established for these matters. Decisions in all these matters are subject to review only by the Rhode Island Supreme Court. 

RI Workers’ Compensation Court

Rhode Island in 1991 established Workers’ Compensation Court to decide all disputes between injured employees and their employers relating to workers’ compensation benefits. The system is intended to assure that employees who merit benefits, receive them, and that workers who are not or are no longer disabled to not continue to receive workers’ compensation benefits at unfair expense to the employer.

The court’s roster of judges, its calendar and its decisions are available online.

Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal

Sweeping changes to the Rhode Island justice system eventually led to the establishment of the Traffic Tribunal under the Rhode Island Traffic Safety and Accountability Act of 1999. Prior to 1975, all traffic offenses in the state, except parking violations, were criminal offenses (either misdemeanor or felony). With the establishment of the Administrative Adjudication Division of the Department of Transportation, most of these offenses were decriminalized and placed under the jurisdiction of that quasi-judicial body.

In 1992, the Administrative Adjudication Court succeeded the AAD. Now the courts are known as the Traffic Tribunal, and while they are presided over by magistrates rather than judges, the system is administrated by the chief judge of the District Court.

United States Bankruptcy Court - District of Rhode Island

United States District Court - District of Rhode Island

Rhode Island Small Claims Court - Information regarding the small claims court in Rhode Island as well as instructions for both the plaintiff and the defendant.

Rhode Island Worker's Compensation - Search pretrial calendars for the Worker's Compensation Court.

Rhode Island Adult Criminal Information Database - Search by defendant name, business name, and case identification.

Rhode Island Probate Information - Probate forms provided by the Secretary of State's office.

Rhode Island District Court - Information on small claims court, forms, landlord/tenant relations and divisions.

Rhode Island Family Courts - Information on the Voluntary Adoption Reunion Registry, forms, and the special problem solving courts.

Rhode Island Appellate Mediation Program - An initiative of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island in an effort to resolve disputes without going to trial.