Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes magistrates to be appointed to oversee contested divorce cases in Rhode Island.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the chief judge of family court to appoint magistrates to preside over family court proceedings (Sec. 1, 8d).

• Specifies that magistrates have the authority to hear cases pertaining to custody placement and adoption, divorce decrees, arraignment of juvenile offenders, and orders of support (Sec. 1, B).

• Authorizes magistrates to serve a term of up to 10 years until a qualified judge is appointed and confirmed with the consent of the senate (Sec. 1, 8d).

• Authorizes magistrates to hear contested divorce cases and cases on the docket for domestic abuse prevention (Sec. 1, 8d).

• Requires families dissatisfied with a magistrates’ ruling to be entitled to a review of the ruling by a family court judge (Sec. 1, 8d).

• Authorizes magistrates to regulate all proceedings as they see fit and on the principle of valid of evidence being present (Sec. 1, 8d).

• Specifies that magistrates can call witnesses and question them on oath, place people in contempt, and issue a body attachment (Sec. 1, 8d).

• Specifies that people cannot be placed in contempt for more than 72 hours and can be placed in contempt for failure to show up, exhibiting disruptive behaviors, failing to produce evidence, or refusing to answer questions (Sec. 1, 6).

• Requires bill to take effect upon passage and apply retroactively to active, pending divorce cases (Sec. 1, 8d).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes magistrates to be appointed to oversee contested divorce cases in Rhode Island.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the chief judge of family court to appoint magistrates to preside over family court proceedings (Sec. 1, 8d).

• Specifies that magistrates have the authority to hear cases pertaining to custody placement and adoption, divorce decrees, arraignment of juvenile offenders, and orders of support (Sec. 1, B).

• Authorizes magistrates to serve a term of up to 10 years until a qualified judge is appointed and confirmed with the consent of the senate (Sec. 1, 8d).

• Authorizes magistrates to hear contested divorce cases and cases on the docket for domestic abuse prevention (Sec. 1, 8d).

• Requires families dissatisfied with a magistrates’ ruling to be entitled to a review of the ruling by a family court judge (Sec. 1, 8d).

• Authorizes magistrates to regulate all proceedings as they see fit and on the principle of valid of evidence being present (Sec. 1, 8d).

• Specifies that magistrates can call witnesses and question them on oath, place people in contempt, and issue a body attachment (Sec. 1, 8d).

• Specifies that people cannot be placed in contempt for more than 72 hours and can be placed in contempt for failure to show up, exhibiting disruptive behaviors, failing to produce evidence, or refusing to answer questions (Sec. 1, 6).

• Requires bill to take effect upon passage and apply retroactively to active, pending divorce cases (Sec. 1, 8d).

Full Bill Text