Rhode Island § 8-8-12 - District Court

§ 8-8-12. Duties of chief judge.

(a) The chief judge shall be the administrative head of the district court and shall be responsible for its operation and the efficient use of its manpower. To this end he or she shall:

(1) Hold court in any division when he or she deems it necessary;

(2) Assign judges to hold court in the various divisions;

(3) Designate the place or places for holding court in each division;

(4) Fix the time for holding court in each division and supervise the calendars;

(5) Report annually to the chief justice of the supreme court on the state of the business of the district court;

(6) Supervise the collection and publication of statistics pertaining to the court;

(7) Supervise the management of the records of the court;

(8) Determine the time of vacations to be taken by the district judges;

(9) Preside over the district court conference and designate the time and place that it shall be held;

(10) Promulgate rules and regulations relating to:

(i) The licensing of constables to serve certain district court civil process; and

(ii) The duties and conduct of licensed constables.

(b) The chief judge of the district court may designate an associate judge of the district court as administrative judge of the district court. The administrative judge may exercise such administrative authority as may be delegated to him or her by the chief judge. The administrative judge shall receive an increase in compensation which shall be set pursuant to § 8-15-4.

(c) The chief judge of the district court shall appoint sufficient court recorders to enable all proceedings to be recorded by electronic means and who shall assist in such other clerical duties subject to the labor laws of this state and applicable collective bargaining agreement as may be prescribed from time to time by the chief judge of the district court.