R.I. Super. R. Crim. P. 3 (2026)

3. The Complaint. — The complaint is a written statement setting forth the offense charged and shall be certified by the Office of the Attorney General or the authorized law enforcement agency. A judicial officer of the District Court or an officer empowered to issue warrants against persons charged with committing criminal offenses shall require the complainant to swear to the facts of the complaint under oath. The complaint shall be in a form approved by the District Court. If the defendant is not in custody or before the court, the judicial officer or other officer shall examine under oath the complainant and any witnesses and shall require their statements be reduced to writing and be subscribed and sworn to by the persons making them.