R.I. Gen. Laws
Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-9-9 (2026)

Powers of family court

✓ text as last checked Sept. 2026 (this copy records no edition or section history)
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Where in §§ 11-9-1 — 11-9-8 any authority is vested in any court, the authority vested in the court or courts mentioned is transferred to the family court. The family court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction over any and all complaints and offenses set forth in §§ 11-9-2, 11-9-4, 11-9-8, 11-9-12, 11-9-14 [repealed], and 11-9-15, and shall have the authority to impose sentence as set forth in chapter 1 of title 14. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, jurisdiction for violations of §§ 11-9-1, 11-9-1.1, 11-9-1.2, 11-9-1.3, 11-9-1.5, 11-9-5, 11-9-5.3, and 11-9-5.4 shall be vested in the superior court.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 10 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1962–2021 · leading case: State v. Jennings, 944 A.2d 171 (R.I. 2008).
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State v. Jennings, 944 A.2d 171 (R.I. 2008). · cites it 9× “The State of Rhode Island appeals from a determination by the Family Court that, pursuant to G.L. 1956 § 11-9-9, the Family Court lacked jurisdiction to decide the issues in this case.”
State v. Sivo, 925 A.2d 901 (R.I. 2007). · cites it 3× “Section 11-9-9 transfers jurisdiction over an additional group of cases to the Family Court by providing that “[t]he family court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction over any and all complaints and offenses set forth in §§ 11-9-1 — 11-9-8, 11-9-12, 11-9-14, and 11-9-15 *…”
State v. Day, 911 A.2d 1042 (R.I. 2006). · cites it 4× “While it is true that G.L.1956 § 11-9-9 vests the Family Court with subject matter jurisdiction over a child’s commission of certain "criminal offenses,” § 11-9-9 also instructs that, with respect to those offenses, the Family Court "shall have the authority to impose sentence…”
State v. Jeffrey Moten, 64 A.3d 1232 (R.I. 2013). · cites it 2× “At that time, § 11-9-9 provided the Family Court with exclusive original jurisdiction over all offenses set forth in § 11-9-5.”
State v. Jody Johnson, 199 A.3d 1046 (R.I. 2019). “1956 § 11-9-4, but the state dismissed this charge pursuant to Rule 48(a) of the Superior Court Rules of Criminal Procedure after trial when it realized-during the sentencing phase of the case-that, pursuant to § 11-9-9, the Family Court has exclusive jurisdiction over charges…”
State v. MacHado, 944 A.2d 865 (R.I. 2008). · cites it 8× “ORDER The State of Rhode Island appeals from a determination by the Family Court that, pursuant to G.L. 1956 § 11-9-9, the Family Court lacked jurisdiction to decide the issues in this case.”
State v. Zittel, 180 A.2d 455 (R.I. 1962). “1956, §11-9-9, as amended by P. L. 1961, chap. 73, sec.”
State v. Sickles, 470 A.2d 220 (R.I. 1984). “1956 (1981 Reenactment) § 11-9-9. However, the trial justice refused to transfer the remaining misdemeanor charges to the District Court.”
State v. Boucher, 468 A.2d 1227 (R.I. 1983). “This provision, we said, confers jurisdiction on the Superior Court to try misdemeanors that are properly joined with the felony charges, and the court retains jurisdiction over the misdemeanor even though the jury has returned a not-guilty verdict on the felony charges.…”
State v. Brittany Michaud, 251 A.3d 9 (R.I. 2021). · cites it 2× “1 General Laws 1956 § 11-9-9 was amended effective June 18, 2018, vesting the Superior Court with jurisdiction over violations of § 11-9-5.”
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