2013 Rhode Island General Laws
Title 31 - Motor and Other vehicles
Chapter 31-41.1 - Adjudication of Traffic Offenses
Section 31-41.1-9 - Appeals to district court.

§ 31-41.1-9 Appeals to district court. – (a) Right of appeal. Any person who is aggrieved by a determination of an appeals panel may appeal the determination pursuant to the provisions of this section.

(b) Time limitations. No appeal shall be reviewed if it is filed more than ten (10) days after notice was given of the determination appealed from. Notice shall be complete upon mailing.

(c) Appeal procedures. Any person desiring to file an appeal from an adverse determination pursuant to this section shall do so in a form and manner provided by the clerk of the traffic tribunal. The transcript of any hearing which formed the basis for the determination will be reviewed only if it is submitted by the appellant. An appeal shall not be deemed to be finally submitted until the appellant has submitted all forms or documents required to be submitted by the clerk of the traffic tribunal or by this section.

(d) Standard of review. The judge of the district court shall not substitute his or her judgment for that of the appeals panel as to the weight of the evidence on questions of fact. The district court judge may affirm the decision of the appeals panel, or may remand the case for further proceedings or reverse or modify the decision if the substantial rights of the appellant have been prejudicial because the appeals panel's findings, inferences, conclusions or decisions are:

(1) In violation of constitutional or statutory provisions;

(2) In excess of the statutory authority of the appeals panel;

(3) Made upon unlawful procedure;

(4) Affected by other error of law;

(5) Clearly erroneous in view of the reliable, probative, and substantial evidence on the whole record; or

(6) Arbitrary or capricious or characterized by abuse of discretion or clearly unwarranted exercise of discretion.

(e) Transcript of hearings. Transcripts of the record of any hearing may be obtained at the cost of the traffic tribunal if prepared by the tribunal or at a rate specified in the contract between the tribunal and the contractor, if prepared by a private contractor.

(f) Fees. The fee for filing an appeal shall be twenty-five dollars ($25.00), and this fee shall be deposited into the general fund. No appeal shall be accepted unless the required fee has been paid or if forma pauperis status has been granted.

(g) Stays pending appeal. Whenever a determination has not been made within thirty (30) days after an appeal has been finally submitted, a stay of execution will be deemed granted by operation of law, and the license, certificate, permit, or privilege affected will be automatically restored pending final determination by the district court.

(h) Certiorari. Any person who has exhausted all remedies available to him or her under the provisions of this section, including an appeal before the district court, may seek review by petition for writ of certiorari to the supreme court.

History of Section.
(P.L. 1999, ch. 218, art. 3, § 1.)