Noel Judicial Complex (Warwick 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 Third Division covers these cities and towns. Appeals from its trials go to the Kent 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. Many misdemeanors are presented by the arresting police department’s prosecution unit. North Kingstown police, for example, present their misdemeanor cases in the Third Division.

The complex has a four-story free parking garage, and the main entrance is the accessible entrance. 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.

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 Noel on District Court misdemeanors, felony bail hearings, and Kent 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.