Murray Judicial Complex (Newport District and Superior Courts)

The Judiciary lists hours of Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The building also houses the Family Court.

Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-2, the Second Division covers the city of Newport and the towns of Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Portsmouth, and Tiverton. Appeals from its trials go to the Newport County Superior Court.

The District Court decides misdemeanors carrying up to one year in jail and holds the first arraignment and bail setting on most felonies. It also hears small civil claims and evictions. The Superior Court handles felony cases after charges are filed, civil cases over $10,000, and new trials on District Court appeals.

On a misdemeanor, you are asked to enter a plea. After a not guilty plea, bail is set and a pretrial conference is scheduled. A guilty or nolo contendere plea ends the case with a sentence, so speak with a lawyer first.

On a felony, no plea is taken in District Court. A judge sets bail, and the Attorney General later decides whether to charge the case in Superior Court by information or grand jury indictment.

The Attorney General prosecutes every felony and handles State Police cases statewide. In Rhode Island, many misdemeanors are presented by the prosecution unit of the police department that brought the charge.

The Judiciary lists on-street parking with meters, and the accessible entrance is on Touro Street. Capitol Police screen everyone with a metal detector and x-ray machine. Weapons, sharp objects, aerosol sprays, recording equipment, and drinks are not allowed.

Bring your summons, bail papers, and court notices, and arrive 30 minutes early to allow time for parking.

Search the Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal for your docket. Public documents can also be viewed on clerk’s office terminals during business hours.

We represent clients at Murray on District Court misdemeanors, felony bail hearings, and Newport County Superior Court cases. We can review the complaint, speak for you on bail, and handle later dates. The first conversation is free. Call 401-621-9700.

For your Rhode Island criminal matter, explore our guides to assault and battery, larceny and shoplifting, no-contact order violations, domestic violence defense, expungement, firearms and weapons, drug charges, and probation violations. Use the charge and court listed on your current papers to focus your questions.

For civil money disputes, see our Rhode Island small claims court guide for filing forms, hearing preparation and court locations. For advice about a claim or response, visit our Providence civil litigation lawyer page.