Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 8-10 - Family Court
Section 8-10-2. - Purpose of chapter.

§ 8-10-2. Purpose of chapter.
This chapter shall be liberally construed to the end that families whose unity or well-being is threatened shall be assisted and protected, and restored, if possible, as secure units of law-abiding members; that each child coming within the jurisdiction of the family court shall receive the care, guidance and control which will conduce to his or her welfare and the best interests of the state; and that when a child is removed from the control of his or her parents, the family court shall secure for him or her care as nearly as possible equivalent to that which his or her parents should have given him or her.
History of Section.P.L. 1961, ch. 73, § 1.

Structure Rhode Island General Laws

Rhode Island General Laws

Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts

Chapter 8-10 - Family Court

Section 8-10-1. - Short title.

Section 8-10-2. - Purpose of chapter.

Section 8-10-3. - Establishment of court — Jurisdiction — Seal — Oaths.

Section 8-10-3.1. - Magistrates — Appointment, duties, and powers.

Section 8-10-3.2. - General magistrate of the family court.

Section 8-10-4. - Criminal cases referred to family court.

Section 8-10-5. - Attempts at reconciliation by family court.

Section 8-10-6. - Notice to department of human services.

Section 8-10-7. - Family counselling service.

Section 8-10-8. - Medical, psychological, and other expert assistance.

Section 8-10-9. - Assistance of services of department of corrections.

Section 8-10-10. - Family court registry.

Section 8-10-11. - Repealed.

Section 8-10-12. - Vacancy in office or inability of chief judge of family court.

Section 8-10-13. - Repealed.

Section 8-10-14. - Administration of operation of family court.

Section 8-10-14.1. - Powers of justices of the peace.

Section 8-10-14.2. - Recording and certification of appointments and revocations — Signature of warrants.

Section 8-10-15. - Family court administrator.

Section 8-10-16. - Quarters.

Section 8-10-17. - Repealed.

Section 8-10-18. - Repealed.

Section 8-10-19. - Limitation on transfer or parole of juveniles.

Section 8-10-20. - Repealed.

Section 8-10-21. - Records of court.

Section 8-10-22. - Intake department — Duties.

Section 8-10-23. - Intake supervisors.

Section 8-10-23.1. - Statewide juvenile hearing board.

Section 8-10-23.2. - Creating a juvenile hearing board.

Section 8-10-23.3. - Jamestown juvenile hearing board.

Section 8-10-23.4. - North Providence juvenile hearing board.

Section 8-10-24. - Sessions, motions, assignments, etc.

Section 8-10-25 - — 8-10-27. Repealed.

Section 8-10-28. - Authority and duties of clerk.

Section 8-10-29. - Report of divorce proceedings to director of health.

Section 8-10-30. - Appointment of clerk pro tempore.

Section 8-10-31. - Appointment of deputies.

Section 8-10-32. - Employment of clerical assistance by clerk.

Section 8-10-33. - Powers of assistant clerks of family court.

Section 8-10-34. - Court secretary and assistant.

Section 8-10-35. - Appointment of stenographers.

Section 8-10-36. - Court reporters and court recording clerks — Supplies and preservation of notes and other materials.

Section 8-10-37. - Report of trials — Transcripts.

Section 8-10-38. - Judgments, decrees, and orders — Punishment for contempt.

Section 8-10-38.1. - Imprisonment for contempt.

Section 8-10-39. - Repealed.

Section 8-10-40, 8-10-41. - Repealed.

Section 8-10-42. - Engagement — Precedence — Retirement and powers of justices.

Section 8-10-42.1. - Service after retirement.

Section 8-10-43. - References to family court — Powers and duties.

Section 8-10-43.1. - Venue of criminal offenses.

Section 8-10-44. - Annual appropriations.

Section 8-10-45. - Severability.