Rhode Island Supreme Court Decisions

Founded in 1747, the Rhode Island Supreme Court holds jurisdiction over appeals that involve any legal or constitutional questions. It also oversees the practice of law in Rhode Island, including admission to the state bar and discipline for attorneys and judges who engage in misconduct. Five justices serve on the Rhode Island Supreme Court, and their tenure lasts for life. This is similar to federal judges but different from most justices on state supreme courts. Rhode Island does not impose a mandatory retirement age on its judges. In 2012, a Stanford University study found that the Rhode Island Supreme Court was the eighth-most liberal state supreme court in the U.S.

When a vacancy arises on the Court, the Judicial Nominating Commission must develop a list of three to five candidates. It will present that list to the Governor of Rhode Island, who will appoint one of the candidates. Any appointments are subject to the approval of the Rhode Island House of Representatives and the Rhode Island Senate. A justice may face removal only if they are impeached by the House of Representatives and convicted in a trial in the Senate.

The Rhode Island Supreme Court has decided several cases that have influenced the evolution of key legal principles. For example, a 1786 decision on the validity of paper currency found that the actions of the legislature were unconstitutional. This helped lay the foundation for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule that courts have the authority to strike down legislative actions on constitutional grounds. For another example, a 1974 decision shaped the development of contract law by ruling that a service contract does not require additional consideration to be modified. In 1995, the Rhode Island Supreme Court issued a decision in a tort case that set out an influential definition of battery.

Browse Opinions From the Rhode Island Supreme Court
Recent Decisions From the Rhode Island Supreme Court
Dawson v. Ojeda  
Date: November 3, 2023
 Docket Number: 22-269

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the order of the family court trial justice affirming the decision and order entered by the General Magistrate of the family court granting Plaintiff's motion to relocate permanently to the…

Bennett v. Steliga  
Date: September 12, 2023
 Docket Number: 22-74

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed in part and vacated in part the judgment of the superior court in favor of Plaintiffs following the court's grant of summary judgment on counts one (declaratory judgment) and three…

Green Development, LLC v. Town of Exeter  
Date: July 28, 2023
 Docket Number: 20-244

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court in favor of the Town of Exeter in this action seeking injunctive and declaratory relief challenging the Town's decision to amend its zoning ordinance, which…

State v. Li  
Date: July 27, 2023
 Docket Number: 21-153

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court vacated the orders of the superior court granting Defendants' motions to suppress evidence of approximately ninety-four pounds of marijuana seized from one defendant's vehicle during a traffic stop,…

State v. Savard  
Date: July 26, 2023
 Docket Number: 20-229

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court convicting Defendant of operating a vehicle in reckless disregard of the safety of others, death resulting, and operating a vehicle in reckless disregard of…

State v. Joseph  
Date: July 20, 2023
 Docket Number: 21-164

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the orders of the superior court granting motions to suppress filed by Defendants Jerome Joseph and Voguel Figaro, holding that the hearing justice did not err in granting Defendants'…

Purcell v. Johnson  
Date: July 18, 2023
 Docket Number: 2023-26

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court granted Jessica Marie Purcell's action in quo warranto seeking a determination that Clay Johnson be removed from the Chariho Regional School Committee and ordering the Town Council of the Town of…

Apex Oil Co. v. State, ex rel. Division of Taxation  
Date: July 14, 2023
 Docket Number: 21-116

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court quashed the order of the district court dismissing two actions challenging the State Division of Taxation's denial of Plaintiff's claim for a refund of $4,280,039 paid for Motor Fuel Tax assessed on the…

Gunvor USA, LLC v. State, ex rel. Division of Taxation  
Date: July 14, 2023
 Docket Number: 21-165

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court quashed the order of the district court granting the motion to dismiss filed by the State of Rhode Island, acting by and through the Division of Taxation (Division), in this appeal stemming from a…

Sosa v. City of Woonsocket  
Date: July 14, 2023
 Docket Number: 21-332

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court in favor of Plaintiff and declaring that the City of Woonsocket improperly terminated Plaintiff's employment with the Woonsocket Police Department in…

State v. Robinson  
Date: July 13, 2023
 Docket Number: 21-93

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court convicting Defendant of three counts of first-degree sexual assault, following a jury trial, holding that Defendant was not entitled to relief on his…

State v. Gamache  
Date: July 10, 2023
 Docket Number: 20-288

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court denying Defendant's motion for entry of a judgment of acquittal and convicting him on thirteen counts stemming from his alleged misuse of his position as…

State v. White  
Date: June 30, 2023
 Docket Number: 21-216

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court convicting and committing Defendant on one count of first-degree sexual assault after a jury trial, holding that there was no prejudicial error in the…

Houllahan v. Gelineau  
Date: June 30, 2023
 Docket Numbers: 21-32, 21-33, 21-41

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the superior court dismissing Plaintiffs' claims in favor of Defendants in accordance with Sup. Ct. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6), holding that the trial court did not err in ruling that…

In re R.M.  
Date: June 30, 2023
 Docket Number: 22-77

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the decree of the family court terminating Mother's parental rights with respect to her daughter (Child), holding that the trial justice did not err in finding by clear and convincing evidence…

The opinions published on Justia State Caselaw are sourced from individual state court sites. These court opinions may not be the official published versions, and you should check your local court rules before citing to them. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site, or the information linked to on the state site.

Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.

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