Rhode Island District Court

The Rhode Island District Court is a state court that handles a variety of cases, including civil matters involving smaller amounts of money, landlord-tenant disputes, and misdemeanor criminal cases. It serves as the entry-level court, where many legal issues are first addressed. Judges in this court ensure fair trials and apply state laws to the cases presented. Unlike higher courts, District Court typically does not handle serious felonies or large-scale civil disputes. Its decisions can be appealed to higher courts if a party is dissatisfied with the outcome.