Rhode Island court guide
Noel Judicial Complex (Warwick District and Superior Courts)
The Philip W. Noel Judicial Complex at 222 Quaker Lane in Warwick houses the Kent County Superior Court and the District Court, Third Division. The Third Division covers 15 cities and towns, including Warwick, Cranston, and Johnston. A District Court case from any of them is generally heard here.
Address, phone, and hours
The Judiciary lists hours of Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The building also houses the Family Court.
- Address: 222 Quaker Lane, Warwick, RI 02886
- District Court, Third Division clerk: 401-822-6750
- Kent County Superior Court clerk: 401-822-6900
Cities and towns in the Third Division
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.
- Cities: Warwick, Cranston
- Towns: Coventry, East Greenwich, Foster, Glocester, Johnston, Lincoln, North Kingstown, North Providence, North Smithfield, Scituate, Smithfield, West Greenwich, West Warwick
What the courts here hear
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.
What happens at arraignment
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.
Who prosecutes
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.
Security, parking, and what to bring
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.
How to look up your case
Search the Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal for your docket. Public documents can also be viewed on clerk’s office terminals during business hours.
How we help
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.
Frequently asked questions
The Third Division at the Noel Judicial Complex in Warwick. R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-2 places Johnston in the Third Division, along with Cranston, North Providence, Lincoln, and Smithfield, so those cases are not heard at Garrahy.
North Kingstown is in the Third Division under R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-2, so its District Court cases are heard at Noel in Warwick, not at McGrath in Wakefield.
It depends on the charge. Criminal cases from Cranston, including DUI, go to the Third Division at Noel. The Traffic Tribunal in Cranston hears civil traffic violations and first breathalyzer refusals.
Yes. The Judiciary lists free parking at Noel in a four-story garage.
Next step
Have a date at Noel?
Call 401-621-9700 or request a consultation. The first conversation is free.