The court which will hear a criminal charge is determined by the location of the incident and the seriousness of the offense. Failure of defendants to appear in court generally will result in an arrest warrant being issued. There are eight Divisions of the District Court located throughout the State, although several of them are combined in one building in Providence.

The particular Division hearing a criminal case is determined by where the crime happened, not by where the defendant lives. Felonies are usually heard initially in the District Court in most cases. Again, the particular District Court Division depends upon where the crime happened. Eventually, however, most felonies are heard in a SUPERIOR COURT. The Superior Courts are located in each of the counties of Rhode Island, except that there is no Superior Court in Bristol County; Bristol County felonies are heard in Providence County.

DISTRICT COURTS

Second Division

45 Washington Square

Newport, RI 02840-2913

Ph: 401-841-8350

Third Division

222 Quaker Lane

Warwick, RI 02886-0107

Ph: 401-822-1771

Sixth Division

One Dorrance Plaza

Providence, RI 02903-2719

Ph: 401-458-5400

SUPERIOR COURTS

Providence County Superior Court

Licht Judicial Complex

250 Benefit Street

Providence, Rhode Island 02903

Kent County Superior Court

Leighton Judicial Complex

222 Quaker Lane

Warwick, Rhode Island 02886

Washington County Superior Court

McGrath Judicial Complex

4800 Tower Hill Road

Wakefield, Rhode Island 02879

Newport County Superior Court

Florence K. Murray Judicial Complex

45 Washington Square

Newport, Rhode Island 02840

RHODE ISLAND TRAFFIC TRIBUNAL

670 New London Avenue

Cranston, RI 02920