TITLE 45

Towns and cities

CHAPTER 45-2

General Powers

SECTION 45-2-47



   § 45-2-47  Town of Warren – Municipal

court. –

(a) The town council of the town of Warren may establish a municipal court and

confer upon that court original jurisdiction, notwithstanding any other

provisions of the general laws, to hear and determine causes involving the

violation of any ordinance, including minimum housing ordinances of the town

and any violation of the provisions of chapter 24.3 of this title, entitled the

Rhode Island Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code; provided, however, that

any defendant found guilty of any offense, excluding violations of the minimum

housing ordinances or chapter 24.3 of this title may, within seven (7) days of

conviction, file an appeal from the conviction to the superior court and be

entitled in the latter court to a trial de novo; and provided further, however,

that any defendant found guilty of any violation of a minimum housing ordinance

or of chapter 24.3 of this title, may within seven (7) days of conviction, file

an appeal from the conviction to the sixth division of the district court and

be entitled to a trial de novo in accordance with §§ 8-8-3(a)(4) and

8-8-3.2.



   (b) With respect to violations of either municipal ordinances

dealing with minimum housing or chapter 24.3 et seq. of this title dealing with

housing maintenance and occupancy, the town council may also confer upon the

municipal court, in furtherance of the court's jurisdiction, the power to

proceed according to equity:



   (1) To restrain, prevent, enjoin, abate, or correct a

violation;



   (2) To order the repair, vacation, or demolition of any

dwelling, existing in violation; or



   (3) To otherwise compel compliance with all of the provisions

of those ordinances and statutes.



   (c) The town council of the town of Warren is authorized and

empowered to appoint a judge and clerk of the municipal court. The town council

of the city is authorized and empowered to enact ordinances governing the

personnel, operation, and procedure to be followed in the court and to

establish a schedule of fees and costs and to otherwise provide for the

operation and management of the court. The municipal court may impose a

sentence not to exceed thirty (30) days in jail and impose a fine not in excess

of five hundred dollars ($500), or both. The court is empowered to administer

oaths, compel the attendance of witnesses, and punish persons for contempt, and

to execute search warrants to the extent the warrants could be executed by a

judge of the district court.



History of Section.

(P.L. 1998, ch. 170, § 1; P.L. 2002, ch. 52, § 1; P.L. 2002, ch. 257,

§ 1.)