Since the beginning of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Rhode Island Judiciary has not stopped the courts’ business operations. However, COVID-19 has forced the Judiciary to implement emergency measures geared towards significantly restricting crowds and limiting in-person hearings and other proceedings to the greatest extent possible while continuing to provide access to justice. Since COVID-19 is here to stay for the near future, the courts must continue to operate in a manner which limits crowds and encourages social distancing.
In accordance with Executive Order 2020-12, courts are to limit in-person hearings to the greatest extent possible. Matters that are considered critical or which cannot be handled remotely should be conducted in-person. Beginning June 1, 2020, non-emergency in-person hearings which cannot be conducted remotely will be scheduled by the courts. Each court has developed procedures to limit foot traffic into the courthouses and is listed below. Information will be added as the court business operations are drafted and published for each court.
SUPREME COURT
Orders and Protocols
2022-02 – COVID-19 Pandemic Response – Wearing of Face Coverings (March 4, 2022)
2021-06 – COVID-19 Pandemic Response – Wearing of Face Coverings (August 13, 2021)
2021-04 – COVID-19 Pandemic Response – Continuity of Operations (July 20, 2021)
2021-03 – COVID-19 Pandemic Response – Indigent Defense Services (June 4, 2021)
In re Article IV of the Supreme Court Rules (Further Response to COVID-19 – Annual Registration Deadlines Extended to September 1, 2021 (June 4, 2021)
Filings – Procedure
Electronic Filing
With limited exception, all papers in both emergency and routine matters shall be filed electronically in accordance with Article I of the Supreme Court Rules of Appellate Procedure. Self-represented litigants and attorneys previously granted a waiver of electronic filing requirements may continue to file papers by mail in accordance with the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
In-person Appointments
Appointment requests shall be emailed to the clerk’s office as follows:
SupremeCourtClerksOffice@courts.ri.gov for case related appointments.
AMP@courts.ri.gov for appellate mediation related appointments.
Attorneyreginfo@courts.ri.gov for attorney registration related appointments.
LLEinfo@courts.ri.gov for limited liability entity licensing related appointments.
RIbarexam@courts.ri.gov for bar admission related appointments.
The subject line of the emails shall indicate that it is an appointment request and the body of the email shall specify the reason for the appointment and include reference to the Supreme Court case number, if any.
The clerk’s office will assign a date and time for the appointment request. The clerk’s office will attempt to accommodate requests for appointments made within twenty-four (24) hours. Visitors shall appear at the clerk’s office as closely to the scheduled appointment time as possible and shall notify the clerk’s office immediately of any changes to scheduled appointments.
No visitors shall appear at the Licht Judicial Complex to visit the clerk’s office without an appointment.
SUPERIOR COURT
Orders and Protocols
2022-10 – Assignments - First Period - September 4, 2022 through December 18, 2022 (July 19, 2022)
2022-06 – Assignments – Fourth Period – June 26, 2022 through September 5, 2022 (April 22, 2022)
2022-01 – Assignments – Second and Third Periods, January 31, 2022 Through June 25, 2022 (January 12, 2022)
Protocol for Providence County Daily Criminal Calendar (December 20, 2021)
2021-12 - Assignments - Second Period, January 2, 2022 through April 2, 2022 (December 7, 2021)
2021-11 – Assignment of Justices to Qualification of Grand and Petit Jurors in Providence County, January 4, 2022 through July 27, 2022 (December 7, 2021)
2021-10 - Clerks Authorized to Approve and Sign Bail Affidavits (November 30, 2021)
2021-09 - Duty Justices and Magistrates During the Holiday Recess (November 9, 2021)
2021-08 - Assignment of Justices to qualification of Grand and Petit Jurors in Providence County September 8, 2021 through December 1, 2021 Amended (September 8, 2021)
2021-03 - Assignments - First Period September 5, 2021 to December 18, 2021 (August 30, 2021) (Amending Order Dated July 2, 2021)
2021-06 - Remote Hearings (July 30, 2021)
2021-05 - Continuity of Business Operations (July 30, 2021)
2021-03 - Assignments - First Period September 5, 2021 to December 18, 2021 (July 2, 2021)
2021-02 – Assignment of Justices to Qualification of Grand Jurors in Providence County – January 11, 2021 Through July 19, 2021 (May 24, 2021)
2021-01 – Continuity of Business Operations and Assignment of Duty Justices and Magistrates June 28, 2021 Through September 4, 2021 (April 27, 2021)
Diversion Program Protocol (March 1, 2021)
Courtroom 4 Protocol (March 1, 2021)
Forms
COVID-19 Mediation Submission Form and
COVID-19 Mediation Program Letter from Presiding Justice Alice Bridget Gibney
COVID-19 Conference or Hearing Request
COVID-19 Motion or Conference Request - Business Recovery
Filings – Procedure
Electronic Filing
Filings shall continue to be submitted through the Rhode Island Judiciary’s electronic filing system for all parties except for incarcerated individuals or where a waiver is granted. Self-represented litigants may electronically file documents but are not required to do so.
Those parties who are not mandated to file through the Rhode Island Judiciary’s electronic filing system but wish to electronically file pleadings or other documents with the Superior Court shall do so by sending the documents via email to the appropriate county clerk’s office. The email address for each county clerk’s office is as follows:
In-person Filings (By Appointment Only)
To schedule an in-person appointment with the clerk’s office, please contact the clerk in the county in which you are conducting business. You will be provided with a date and time for your personal appointment. The contact information for each county clerk’s office is as follows:
| Providence/Bristol County: |
(401) 222-8781 |
| Kent County: |
(401) 822-6900 |
| Newport County: |
(401) 841-8330 |
| Washington County: |
(401) 782-4121 |
Payments – Procedure
If you are unable to make a restitution or court payment on the
Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal or by United States mail, you must schedule an appointment to make an in-person payment. Please contact the office with whom you are doing business (see below). You will be provided with a date and time for your personal appointment. The contact information for each office is as follows:
| Providence Superior Court Central Registry/Restitution Department: |
(401) 222-2084 |
| Costs and Fines Office: |
(401) 222-3255 |
Warrant Cancellations
If you are seeking the cancellation of a warrant in-person, you must first contact (401) 222-3250 for further instructions. If a court date is required, you will be given a specific date and time. NOTE: Warrant cancellations will
not be considered after 3:15 p.m. and will be considered on the next business day.
FAMILY COURT
Orders and Protocols
2021-01 Continuity of Operations in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic (August 6, 2021)
Filings – Procedure
Electronic Filing
Filings shall continue to be submitted through the Rhode Island Judiciary’s electronic filing system for all parties except for incarcerated individuals or where a waiver is granted. Self-represented litigants may electronically file documents but are not required to do so.
In-person Filings
In-person filings shall be done by appointment only. To schedule an in-person appointment, please use the following contact numbers:
| Providence/Bristol County Domestic Relations Office |
(401) 458-3200 |
| Providence/Bristol County Juvenile Justice Office |
(401) 458-3290 |
| Providence/Bristol County Child Support Office |
(401) 458-3100 |
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| Kent, Washington, and Newport Counties |
(401) 822-6725 |
Per Executive Order 2020-12, emergency filings are exempt from the above procedure.
Remote Hearings Using WebEx
WebEx Procedures and Guidelines for Remote Hearings, Trials, and Conferences
Virtual Clerk’s Office
The Family Court’s virtual clerk’s office allows the public to remotely conduct business traditionally conducted at the counters in the courthouses. Click
here for the virtual clerk help desk to speak with a clerk face to face in real time and obtain assistance The public may also contact the virtual clerk’s office by email at
virtualfamilyclerk@courts.ri.gov. The virtual clerk’s office will be open from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during the days that the court is open for business.
DISTRICT COURT
Orders and Protocols
2022-05 Notarized Motions to Expunge/Seal (July 12, 2022)
2022-04 Address Verification Notifications (June 2, 2022)
2022-03 Civil Administrative Order (Not Evictions) Effective May 2, 2022 (April 26, 2022)
2022-02 Criminal Administrative Order Effective May 2, 2022 (April 26, 2022)
2022-01 Civil Administrative Order (January 6, 2022)
2021-11 Arraignments Under Article I, Section 9 – Right to Bail (November 4, 2021)
2021-10 Civil Administrative Order (October 13, 2021)
2021-09 Criminal Effective September 28, 2021 (September 28, 2021)
2021-08 Criminal Effective September 14, 2021 (September 13, 2021)
2021-07 District Court Eviction Protocols (August 31, 2021)
2021-05 District Court Eviction Protocols – Revised (August 27, 2021)
2021-06 District Court Eviction Protocols (August 5, 2021) Clarification
2021-06 District Court Eviction Protocols (August 5, 2021)
2021-05 District Court Eviction Protocols (July 16, 2021)
2021-04 District Court Eviction Protocols (June 21, 2021)
2021-03 Criminal Effective July 1, 2021 (June 9, 2021)
Forms
DC-53 Answer Defendant-Tenant (Eviction)
DC-85 Affidavit of Defendant/Tenant’s Acknowledgment of Rights (Eviction)
DC-86 Stipulation of Judgment (Eviction)
DC-90 Residential Eviction for Reasons Other Than Nonpayment of Rent Cover Sheet (Eviction)
DC-92 Tenancy and Eviction Calendar 2020 – Tracking of Volunteer Hours
DC-94 Affidavit of the Plaintiff-Landlord Regarding Declaration by the Defendant-Tenant
DC-95 Residential Eviction for Nonpayment of Rent Cover Sheet
Filings – Procedure
Civil filings shall continue to be submitted through the Rhode Island Judiciary’s electronic filing system except where a waiver is granted. Self-represented litigants may electronically file documents but are not required to do so.
Those parties who are not mandated to file through the Rhode Island Judiciary’s electronic filing system but wish to electronically file pleadings or other documents with the District Court may do so by sending the documents via email to the appropriate division clerk’s office. The email address for each division clerk’s office is as follows:
For litigants wishing to file documents directly at the courthouse, drop boxes will be available in the first floor lobby of the Noel Judicial Complex (Kent County) for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th division matters, and the first floor lobby of the Garrahy Judicial Complex (Providence/Bristol County) for 6th division matters.
Payments – Procedure
Court ordered payments, including restitution, can be made on the
Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal or by mailing the payment to one of the court addresses below:
Sixth Division District Court
Garrahy Judicial Complex
One Dorrance Plaza
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Third Division District Court
Noel Judicial Complex
222 Quaker Lane
Warwick, Rhode Island 02886
Pending Arraignments and Pretrial Matters
If you have a pending arraignment or pretrial matter with the District Court, you will receive a Hearing Notice for a date to appear. If you are unable to appear on the date in your Hearing Notice or you are denied access into the courthouse, you must immediately contact your attorney and speak with them. The contact information for the division clerk’s office is as follows:
| Second Division:: |
(401 841-8350 |
| Third Division: |
(401) 822-6750 |
| Fourth Division: |
(401) 782-4133 |
| Sixth Division: |
(401) 458-5400 |
WORKERS' COMPENSATION COURT
Orders and Protocols
2022-02 Court Operations (February 15, 2022)
2022-01 Court Operations (January 6, 2022)
2021-03 Court Operations (August 23, 2021)
Filings – Procedure
Electronic Filing
Filings shall continue to be submitted through the Rhode Island Judiciary’s electronic filing system for all parties except where a waiver is granted. Self-represented litigants may electronically file documents but are not required to do so.
Those parties who are not mandated to utilize the Rhode Island Judiciary’s electronic filing system who wish to electronically file pleadings or other documents with the Workers’ Compensation Court may do so via email. For instructions on how to do so, please contact the Workers’ Compensation Court clerk’s office at (401) 458-5000.
In-person Filings (By Appointment Only)
To file documents in person, parties must schedule an appointment with the court by contacting the clerk’s office at (401) 458-5000. You will be provided with a date and time for your personal appointment.