Rhode Island Court Locations And Information
Have you been accused of a crime and are wondering which court your trial will take place in? Navigating the judicial system can be confusing. Like all states, the Rhode Island State Court system has several jurisdictions located in different geographical divisions.
Where you are arraigned and tried depends on the charges and where you were arrested. Additionally, minor infractions like traffic violations are not heard in the same courts as criminal charges like assault.
Rhode Island District Court
The Rhode Island District Court hears both civil and criminal matters. According to the State of Rhode Island Judiciary website, the general court is fast-paced and sees a high volume of cases.
The district court has the authority to oversee misdemeanors that carry up to one year of jail time. Felonies where bail is set and monitored until the case can be heard in Superior Court, such as some cases of domestic violence, are also arraigned in the district court.
There are four divisions in the Rhode Island District Courts. They are located at the following addresses:
2nd Division District Court
Murray Judicial Complex
45 Washington Square
Newport, Rhode Island 02840
4th Division District Court
McGrath Judicial Complex
4800 Tower Hill Road
Wakefield, Rhode Island 02879
3rd Division District Court
Noel Judicial Complex
222 Quaker Lane
Warwick, Rhode Island 02886
6th Division District Court
Garrahy Judicial Complex
One Dorrance Plaza
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Spread across four divisions in Newport, Wakefield, Warwick, and Providence, the district court provides accessible legal services to residents throughout the state.
Rhode Island Superior Courts
The Rhode Island Superior Court includes 22 judges and five magistrates. Jury and non-jury, as well as criminal and civil trials, take place in the Superior Court. For example, a person accused of drug trafficking would be tried in the Superior Court.
Decisions that have been appealed in the District Court may be overseen in the Superior Court as entirely new trials. Issues regarding zoning boards and probate court appeals are also under the jurisdiction of the Superior Court.
Locations of the four Rhode Island Superior Courts include:
Providence County Superior Court:
Licht Judicial Complex
250 Benefit Street
Providence, RI 02903
Washington County Superior Court:
McGrath Judicial Complex
4800 Tower Hill Road
Wakefield, Rhode Island 02879
Kent County Superior Court:
Noel Judicial Complex
222 Quaker Lane
Warwick, Rhode Island 02886
Newport County Superior Court:
Murray Judicial Complex
45 Washington Square
Newport, Rhode Island 02840
The Rhode Island Superior Court serves as a vital component of the state’s judicial system, handling a wide range of complex criminal and civil matters, appeals, and zoning and probate issues across its four locations.
Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal
The Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal is a relative newcomer to the Rhode Island Court system. It was created in 1999 to replace the Administrative Adjudication Court. The Traffic Tribunal became a stand-alone court in 2007. It has jurisdiction over civil traffic offenses such as speeding or driving without a seat belt.
Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal Court locations include:
Main Location
670 New London Avenue
Second Floor
Cranston, Rhode Island 02920
Satellite Location
4800 Tower Hill Road
Wakefield, Rhode Island 02879
Knowing the location/s of the traffic tribunal will be critical if you are facing a traffic violation.
Does Court Location Make A Difference?
Rhode Island Courts have the authority or jurisdiction to interpret and apply the law to defendants. However, not every court has authority over all cases. For example, the Traffic Tribunal Court does not have jurisdiction to weigh in on murder cases, and the Superior Court does not interpret the law for bankruptcy cases.
As one of the least populated states in the nation, Rhode Island maintains a small number of courts. Defendants may be able to choose between a trial by jury and a trial by judge, but they do not get to decide on the court in which their case is heard.
If you have questions about the functions, purposes, or locations of Rhode Island courts, contact Manosh Payette Criminal Defense Attorneys for help.
Contact Our Criminal Defense Law Firm – Manosh Payette Criminal Defense Attorneys
For more information, please contact the Rhode Island Criminal defense law firm of Manosh Payette Criminal Defense Attorneys for a free consultation, give us a call at 401-854-7794 or visit our convenient location:
Manosh Payette Criminal Defense Attorneys – Providence Criminal Defense Attorney
101 Dyer St Suite 2D,
Providence, RI 02903, United States