What are Rhode Island Court Records?

Rhode Island ranks as one of the least populous states in the U.S., with slightly over 1 million residents. Rhode Island's two-tier court system handles less than two hundred thousand caseloads annually. The state's courts include The Supreme Court, Superior Court, workers' Compensation Courts, District Courts, Family Court, and the Traffic Tribunal.

Court records in Rhode Island are considered public, with exceptions to cases involving juveniles and family court matters. However, some court records are sealed for the privacy of the parties involved.

Case Files/Information

Provides detailed information about a case, including the individuals involved, case numbers, dates, and case types.

Dockets

This lists the court events, hearings, and scheduled proceedings, and provides an overview of case progress.

Judgments and Orders

Contains court decisions, rulings, and outcomes, and determines the responsibility and any resulting payments or punishments.

Transcripts

The exact records of testimonies, arguments, and judicial rulings during hearings and trials.

Evidence

These records contain evidence presented during trials.

Court Minutes

Summaries of court sessions, noting actions taken, motions filed, and discussions held.

Pleadings

Documents filed by individuals or attorneys, including complaints, indictments, motions, and orders.

Types of Court Cases

Rhode Island Courts handle a large number of cases annually, and different courts in the state have jurisdiction over these cases. However, these cases can be categorized into two main categories.

Civil Cases

Unlike criminal cases, civil cases do not require imprisonment or prosecution; rather, they involve court orders, fines, or compensation. Civil cases in Rhode Island are handled by the district courts. Although this court hears both civil and criminal cases, it has absolute jurisdiction over civil matters.

Common types of civil cases are:

Tort Claims: cases such as personal injury, property damage, and defamation, where individuals seek compensation for harm caused by the actions of others.
Property Disputes: Issues related to property ownership, boundaries, and disputes between landlords and tenants.
Family Law Matters: Such as divorce, child custody, and support cases, although some of these may be handled in Family Court.
Small Claims: Involving smaller amounts of money, typically under $5,000.
Contract Disputes: Breach of Contract, business disputes, employment Contracts.
Probate and Estate Matters: such as ills and trusts, estate administration, guardianship
Civil rights violation.

Other courts in the state, such as the superior courts, family courts, and the Worker Compensation court, have concurrent jurisdiction with the district courts.

Criminal Cases

In criminal cases, the state takes legal action against individuals accused of breaking Rhode Island's criminal laws. These are outlined in the Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL), which covers most criminal offenses, ranging from minor violations to serious felonies.

In Rhode Island, different courts oversee criminal cases based on the nature and severity of the offense.

The District Courts handle cases involving misdemeanors, preliminary felony hearings, and traffic violations. Fines imposed by the District Courts do not exceed $1000. The Superior Courts are responsible for all major criminal cases, including felonies, and also oversee appeals from the District Courts.
The Rhode Island Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in the state. It is responsible for deciding all appeals from lower courts.

What Are the Different Courts in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island's courts are structured to handle various types of cases, including criminal, civil, family, and appellate matters. These courts include:

Supreme Court

The Rhode Island Supreme Court holds the highest appellate jurisdiction over law and equity issues and has the authority to supervise lower state courts. It plays a major role in providing advice to the Legislative and Executive branches of the state government regarding the law. The Supreme Court is also responsible for overseeing the admission process to the Rhode Island Bar and imposing disciplinary actions on its members.

The Supreme Court consists of a Chief Justice and four Justices. These five judges are selected by the Governor of Rhode Island from candidates already screened by the Judicial Nominating Commission. Similar to federal judges, each justice enjoys a lifetime tenure and has no mandatory retirement age. They can only be removed from office through impeachment for misconduct, which requires a vote of the Rhode Island House of Representatives and a conviction in the Rhode Island Senate.

The Supreme Court is located in Providence, the state's capital.

Superior Courts

The Rhode Island Superior Court serves as the primary trial court of general jurisdiction in the state, handling all felony cases and civil matters, the amount of which is over $10,000 in controversy.

It shares jurisdiction with the District Court for civil matters involving amounts between $5,000 and $10,000 and has the power to issue writs of habeas corpus and mandamus. Appeals from the District Court and decisions of local municipal and probate courts are heard in the Superior Court, with any further appeals going directly to the Rhode Island Supreme Court.

Rhode Island's five counties—Kent, Washington, Newport, and Providence/Bristol, each have their own Superior Court. The Superior Court conducts jury trials, and appeals from District Court trials result in a new trial in the Superior Court.

The Superior Court also administers the Court-Annexed Arbitration Program, which resolves less complex civil cases involving amounts up to $100,000. In 2020, the court established a Diversion Program in partnership with the Rhode Island Attorney General's office, providing eligible defendants with alternatives to traditional sentencing, such as supervision and services, to help reduce recidivism.

Workers' Compensation Court

The Rhode Island Workers' Compensation Court, established by the General Assembly in 1991, resolves disputes between injured employees and their employers regarding workers' compensation benefits. The court has developed user-friendly forms and procedures to make the litigation process accessible and cost-effective for all parties involved.

The Workers' Compensation Court has one Chief Judge, one administrative judge, and eight associate judges. The judges are not elected; they are nominated by the governor from a list of names provided by a nominating commission. After nomination, they face approval by the Rhode Island Senate. These judges are subject to the same qualifications as supreme and superior court judges.

The court is responsible for:

Ensuring employers adhere to workers' compensation laws.
Conducting hearings where parties present evidence, testify, and argue their cases.
Hearing and deciding disputes between injured employees and employers regarding workers' compensation benefits.
Assessing medical evidence presented by both sides to determine the extent of injuries and disabilities.

Traffic Tribunal

The Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal consists of eight judicial officers, including a Chief Magistrate, an Administrative Magistrate, two Associate Judges, and four Magistrates. These magistrates have the authority to impose fines, revoke licenses, and in some cases, require driver retraining or community service.

Created by the Rhode Island General Assembly in 1999, this court has jurisdiction over most non-criminal traffic offenses, including speeding tickets, seat belt violations, and driving without insurance. Additionally, the tribunal may address certain Department of Environmental Management violations.

District Court

The Rhode Island District Court has jurisdiction over civil cases involving amounts up to $5,000 and shares jurisdiction with the Superior Court for cases involving $5,000 to $10,000. It handles all eviction actions, domestic restraining orders, and landlord-tenant matters.

Appeals from District Court trials go to the Superior Court for a new trial. The District Court also manages administrative appeals from various state agencies, including the Traffic Tribunal, Department of Labor and Training, Division of Motor Vehicles, and Division of Taxation.

The court handles specialized programs, such as the Veteran Treatment Calendar and Pretrial Services Unit, tailored to specific needs.

The Veterans Treatment Calendar is a voluntary program by the district court designed to assist veterans involved in the criminal justice system and address issues that led to their contact with the court.
The Pretrial Services Unit (PTSU)is dedicated to monitoring and supporting individuals awaiting trial through the District Court. PTSU aims to offer support and supervision to individuals awaiting trial, ensuring they comply with court requirements and receive all the assistance they need.

Family Courts

The Rhode Island Family Court is responsible for managing specialized units and services within the Family Court system. The Family Court administrator, who is appointed by the chief judge, oversees these court services, supervises staff, and maintains court records. These departments include:

Court Reporters and Recorders: Creates accurate records of court proceedings, either by stenography or audio recording.
Juvenile Clerk's Office: Handles cases involving juveniles, relating to waywardness, delinquency, abuse, and adoption. It also manages the Voluntary Adoption Reunion Registry.
Domestic Relations Clerk's Office: Manages records for domestic relations cases such as divorce, child custody, and support, and some adult criminal complaints like failure to pay child support.
Child Support/Reciprocal Office: Processes child support cases, including enforcement and collection. It works often with the Department of Human Services.
Juvenile Services Department: Manages non-emergency juvenile justice cases, conducts preliminary assessments, and operates specialized programs like the Truancy Diversionary Calendar. It also includes a Mental Health Clinic for forensic assessments.
Office of the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA): Advocates for children involved with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
Family and Women's Services Unit: Oversees drug and alcohol screenings, home condition investigations, and programs like the Family Treatment Drug and Safe and Secure Babies Calendars.

Specialized Calendars including:

Juvenile Drug Calendars: Focus on rehabilitation for juveniles with substance abuse issues, involving a team approach.
Family Treatment Drug Calendar: Assists parents struggling with addiction, and aims to reunite families while addressing substance abuse issues.
Safe and Secure Babies Calendar: Supports parents of infants, particularly those facing challenges like mental health issues or lack of parenting skills.
Truancy Diversion Calendar: A voluntary program to address chronic absenteeism in schools, aiming to intervene before formal court involvement.

How Many Federal Courts Are in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island has one federal district court, officially called the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. It was created in 1790, and the Federal Courthouse was built in 1908.

This court has three judges. The three judges must be nominated by the U.S. President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. They serve lifetime terms. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island serves as the legal representative of the United States government in both civil and criminal cases within the court system.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island is located in Providence, the state's capital.

How Many Court Cases Are Filed Each Year in Rhode Island?

Every year, over 150,000 cases are filed in Rhode Island across its courts, such as the state Supreme Court, Superior Courts, Family Courts, District Courts, the Traffic Tribunal, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island.

Rhode Island has a high volume of traffic cases, with over sixty-five thousand cases filed each year. Civil cases are the second most common, with over thirty-eight thousand annual filings. Approximately twenty-seven thousand criminal cases are processed annually, while juvenile cases (over thirteen thousand) and domestic relations cases (over nine thousand) have the lowest number of filings in the state.

How Do I Look Up Court Cases in Rhode Island?

Court cases in Rhode Island can be looked up either offline or online, depending on the type of case and the court involved.

Offline

Residents can visit the courthouse where the case is handled or go to the Clerk's Office for the specific court. The clerk's office manages case files and can provide access to case information. To facilitate the search, provide the clerk with the case number, party names, or the type of case. You can request to view the case file, which includes court documents, filings, and records of proceedings.

You can request copies of any documents from the clerk. However, there may be a fee for photocopying or printing documents from the case file.

Alternatively, residents can call the courthouse to ask about a specific case or mail it to the clerk with the required fee, case information, and a return address.

Online

Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal provides access to case information.
PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) for Federal cases.

What Court Records Are Not Available to the Public in Rhode Island?

Although most court records are public, certain court records are not for privacy concerns or the sensitive nature of the information. Examples of court records that are not available to the public include:

Records involving minors in juvenile courts, such as delinquency cases, are generally confidential.
Adoption proceedings and records are sealed and not available to the public to protect the identities and privacy of all parties involved.
Cases involving the appointment of a guardian for an incapacitated person may have restricted access, particularly when they involve medical information.
A criminal record has been expunged, meaning it is removed from public access. Expungement effectively erases the record from the public domain as if the conviction never occurred.
Divorce records with specific sensitive financial details, like account numbers, allegations of abuse, medical records, and confidentiality agreements, are often redacted.