Rhode Island § 30-13-1 - Rhode Island Code of Military Justice
Full text of Rhode Island Rhode Island General Laws § 30-13-1 — Rhode Island Code of Military Justice, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 30-13-1. Rhode Island Code of Military Justice
R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-13-1
§ 30-13-1. Definitions.
In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Accuser" means a person who signs and swears to charges, any person who directs
that charges nominally be signed and sworn to by another, and any person who has an
interest, other than an official interest, in the prosecution of the accused;
(2) "Active state duty" means full-time duty in the active military service of the
state under an order of the governor issued under authority vested in the governor
by law, and includes travel to and from that duty;
(3) "Code" means this chapter;
(4) "Commanding officer" includes only commissioned officers;
(5) "Commissioned officer" includes a commissioned warrant officer;
(6) "Convening authority" includes, in addition to the person who convened the court,
a commissioned officer commanding for the time being, or a successor in command;
(7) "Duty status other than active state duty" means any type of required duty other
than that set forth in subdivision (2) of this section and includes travel to and
from that duty;
(8) "Enlisted member" means a person in an enlisted grade;
(9) "Grade" means a step or degree, in a graduated scale of office or military rank,
that is established and designed as a grade by law or regulation;
(10) Law officer” means an official of a general court-martial detailed in accordance
with § 30-13-28
(11) "Law specialist" means a commissioned officer of the organized naval militia
of the state designated for special duty (law);
(12) "Legal officer" means any commissioned officer of the organized naval militia
of the state designated to perform legal duties for a command;
(13) "May" is used in a permissive sense. The words "no person may ... " mean that no person is required, authorized, or permitted to do the act prescribed;
(14) "Military" refers to any or all of the armed forces;
(15) "Military court" means a court-martial, a court of inquiry, or a provost court;
(16) "Officer" means commissioned or warrant officer;
(17) "Rank" means the order of precedence among members of the state military forces;
(18) "Shall" is used in an imperative sense;
(19) "State judge advocate" means the commissioned officer on the staff of the adjutant
general responsible for supervising military justice in the state military forces;
(20) “State military forces” means the national guard of the state, as defined in
32 U.S.C. § 101(3), the organized naval militia of the state, the independent chartered military organizations,
the Rhode Island state guard and the unorganized militia, and any other military force
organized under the laws of the state; and
(21) "Superior commissioned officer" means a commissioned officer superior in rank
or command.
History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 30-13-1; P.L. 1962, ch. 82, § 1; P.L. 1965, ch. 70, § 1.
Source: official Rhode Island text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhode Island § 30-13-1
What does Rhode Island General Laws § 30-13-1 cover?
Section 30-13-1 ("Rhode Island Code of Military Justice") is part of the Rhode Island General Laws, the codified statutory law of Rhode Island. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Rhode Island § 30-13-1?
A common citation format is "Rhode Island General Laws § 30-13-1" (Rhode Island). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Rhode Island law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Rhode Island official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Rhode Island attorney.
How does Rhode Island § 30-13-1 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Rhode Island can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Rhode Island.