A new resource center opened at the Garrahy Judicial Complex.
Last-reviewed: Aug. 26, 2026
Latest News
- A new resource center at the Garrahy Judicial Complex (Providence) is open on the second floor, Mondays – Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Resource centers can help people without a lawyer by giving assistance on general court navigation, clarification of legal procedures, and plain-language explanations of court forms.
- A second resource center is open at the Warwick courthouse (Noel Judicial Complex) Monday – Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Under a new law, the Protect Our Courts Act, immigration and civil enforcement arrests without warrants are banned in RI courthouses.
- The law requires ICE and other law enforcement officers entering the courthouse to observe or detain someone to first identify themselves to court security, state their purpose and to show the judicial warrant.
- Under a new law, the RI Federal Constitution Defense Act, Rhode Islanders may file civil lawsuits in state court against federal officials, like ICE officers, who violate their constitutional rights.
- RI now permits up to 4 nonviolent felony convictions to be expunged 15 years after the date of the completion of the person’s last sentence. Certain felony offenses, like child endangerment, elder abuse, DUI, remain permanently ineligible.
R.I. State Court Navigation
- Rhode Island state court information.
- Information about your day in court in Rhode Island State Courts.
- People with court hearings can attend virtually with approval. The RI Judiciary’s Access to Justice Office created a “Remote Hearing Request” form.
- Remote hearing request must be submitted 7 days in advance of the hearing. It can be used for either civil or criminal cases.The court will email their decisions.
- The court will email their decisions.
- Requesting a remote hearing does not guarantee that it will be approved. Failure to show up to court has serious consequences.
- Find court information with the RI Judiciary Public Portal case look up tool.
- Court provided interpreters are free. The court has full time Spanish interpreters. Other languages can be requested.
- Eviction sealing: The District Court issued this administrative order allowing any eviction that meets criteria to be eligible for record sealing. Prior to this date, only evictions that had been resolved before September 1, 2022, could be considered. Eviction sealing requires filing a motion to the court. If a landlord (or other party) objects, then the court will schedule a hearing. If there is no objection, the judge will review the motion.
- Child support guidelines as of July 1, 2023.
- Workers’ Compensation Court Mediation Program protocols.
- Family Court’s virtual clerk’s office.
- List of Rhode Island state court forms.
- The latest RI court opinions, decisions, and orders.
- RI Attorney search.
Federal Court
- The State of RI has brought (to date) 57 challenges to recent changes in federal law and policy. This tracker shares information about the cases and their statuses.
- Rhode Island federal court information
- A bankruptcy legal clinic is available through the court.
Expungement
- Many misdemeanors and some felonies are eligible for expungement from a person’s record, meaning generally that they will be removed from the record.
- Justice Assistance and the Public Defender host monthly expungement clinics on Fridays. Register here. Bring a recent BCI.
- General expungement requirements.
- Instructions, Motion, and Affidavit in Support to Expunge or Seal Record all here.
- Affidavits must be signed and notarized; notaries may be found in many banks and some public libraries.
- Instructions, Motion, and Affidavit in Support to Expunge or Seal Record all here.
- The RI Public Defender has this expungement resource guide.
- The RI Attorney General’s office offers expungement assessments for eligible individuals.
Early termination of probation
- People who have been on probation for at least three years, with no violations and who meet other conditions may be eligible for early termination of probation.
- Probationers (and Parolees) with specific questions should contact their PO for further instructions.
Court fees
- The RI Judiciary has FAQs and a calculator to help people assess fees, fines, court costs, assessments and charges on offenses.
- People with limited funds to file court cases can apply to district or superior court to proceed through a special fee waiver called “in forma pauperis.”
- District Court form
- Superior Court form
- Contact Superior Court at (401) 222-2084 or email CentralRegistry@courts.ri.gov
Immigration court
- There are two local immigration courts. One is located in Boston, MA and the other is in Chelmsford, MA.
- Cases about evictions or family law are handled by state courts and they do not have any jurisdiction to make decisions about deportation.
- How to file a request for virtual immigration hearing here. Webex links for immigration courts.
- Automated court case information look-up here. Have ready the person’s A-number, a unique number given by the Department of Homeland Security.
- The Brown Human Rights Asylum Clinic offers eligible asylum seekers forensic medical evaluations.
Unlocking Access® Resources for Care Teams
There are many ways care teams can support people with court and criminal system involvement-related needs. For more specific legal information and strategies, care team members who have access to Legal Key’s Unlocking Access® Hub should log in.
If you are an Legal Key partner who does not have their login information, or you’d like to learn more about how to gain access to the Unlocking Access® Hub, get in touch with us!
Key Resources
Support for people who have criminal systems involvement (including reentry support):
Advocacy Corner
Individual Advocacy
Past criminal systems involvement is often an impediment to accessing jobs housing and more. As a care team member, you can advocate for individuals to apply for housing and jobs and to connect with expungement clinics to make housing and job applications easier.
Policy Advocacy
Local and national policy advocacy for people with past criminal systems involvement works on many issues, including:
- access to expungement
- easier access to housing
- meaningful employment opportunities
Organizations working on policy advocacy include:
Open Doors RI
National Housing Law Project
ACLU National Prison Project
Prisoner Reentry Network