Kent County District Court Attorney

Arraignments for both felony and misdemeanor charges are brought forth by prosecutors in the Kent County District Court. Jury trials are not heard in this court. Jury trials are moved to a Rhode Island Superior Court.

Cases that are often handled by the Kent County Third Division District Court Unit typically involve bail hearings, probation violation hearings, expungement hearings, no-contact orders, pre-trial meetings, and a wide range of misdemeanor cases such as drug possession, simple assault charges, disorderly conduct, and petty theft charges. Penalties for the misdemeanor cases heard at this District Court can result in up to one year in jail and up to $1,000 in fines.

If you’ve been charged with a crime in Rhode Island, it’s important to speak with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. You need an experienced Kent County criminal lawyer to be by your side at an arraignment hearing at a Kent County District Court. A criminal defense attorney can help you understand the extent of your charges and provide a defense plan to help you feel more confident moving forward with your case. Call S. Joshua Macktaz Esq. at (401) 861-1155 today to schedule a free consultation.

What You Can Expect at a Kent County District Court Arraignment Hearing

It’s highly advised to speak with a Rhode Island criminal defense attorney shortly after you’ve been processed and before your arraignment hearing. At your Kent County District court arraignment hearing, you’ll stand before a judge and plead “guilty” or “not guilty” for the criminal charges that were brought against you.

Once a judge accepts your plea, you’ll receive a pre-trial hearing date and your bail will be set. If you choose not to hire an attorney, and you plead guilty to your charges, prosecutors will most likely choose to punish you with the full extent of the law through jail time or expensive fines.

Even if the evidence appears to be stacked against you, do not plead guilty or appear without a lawyer. It’s important to have a Rhode Island criminal defense attorney with you at your arraignment hearing at the Kent County Third Division District Court.

Posting Bail at the Kent County District Court

If you plan on posting bail for yourself or another defendant at the Kent County District Court, here’s everything you need to know about these requirements and procedures:

Pursuant to G.L. 1956 § 2-13-10, any balance of bail funds available after the payment of restitution, fines, and costs, or any other assessments issued by any court within the Rhode Island Judiciary, must be refunded to the defendant or the individual who posted the money on behalf of the defendant.
If you are a party posting bail for a defendant at the court, you must have a license or a Rhode Island Identification Card to post bail.
If you post bail for a defendant at the prison or at the police station with a Bail Commissioner (Justice of the Peace), any fees that you pay are non-refundable and are not part of your bail.
Under G.L. 1956 § 12-10-2(d), a person arrested is afforded the opportunity to be arraigned and released on bail by a Bail Commissioner (Justice of the Peace), when appropriate, if taken into custody when the court is not in session.

Kent County District Court Contact Information

Kent County is the second most populated county in Rhode Island and is home to Rhode Island College and Rhode Island Community College. The Kent County District Court can be reached from most major highways such as I-95, I-295, and US1.

Kent County District Court, Rhode Island

Directions from Interstate 95 South

From points North of Warwick – Take exit 10B to Route 117 West. Travel 117 West to Quaker Lane (past YMCA and Inskip). Take a left onto Quaker Lane. The Noel Judicial Complex is up the hill and on the left. Parking is in the garage adjacent to the courthouse.

Directions from Interstate 95 North

From points South of Warwick – Take exit 10 to Route 117 West, take left at bottom of exit ramp and go across Route 117. Travel 117 West to Quaker Lane (past YMCA and Inskip). Take a left onto Quaker Lane. The Noel Judicial Complex is up the hill and on the left. Parking is in the garage adjacent to the courthouse.

Address: The Kent County District Court is located at 222 Quaker Ln, Warwick, RI 02886

District Court – Kent County, Rhode Island.

Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Kent County District Court Phone Number: 401-822-6750