R.I. Gen. Laws
Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-38 (2026)

Judgments, decrees, and orders — Punishment for contempt

✓ current as of July 2026
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(a) Like powers are hereby conferred upon the family court as are conferred upon the superior court by the provisions of § 8-6-1.

(b) Provided, however, a justice of the family court shall notify the principal of a school that the court is ordering the placement of a juvenile in the principal’s school. The principal of the school shall have a right to be heard prior to the placement.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 12 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1972–2024 · leading case: Porter v. Porter, 684 A.2d 259 (R.I. 1996).
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Porter v. Porter, 684 A.2d 259 (R.I. 1996). · cites it 2× “1996); see G.L.1956 §§ 8-10-38, 8-6-1, such as would occur if a party has failed to pay child support pursuant to a court order.”
Brandt v. Brandt, 381 A.2d 1047 (R.I. 1978). · cites it 2× “Section 8-10-38. It is well settled that the power to continue is inherent in the authority of a court to hear and determine the cases before it.”
State v. Price, 672 A.2d 893 (R.I. 1996). “1956 § 8-6-1, which provides that the Supreme and the Superior Courts “shall have power to punish, by fine or imprisonment, or both, all contempts of them authority;” § 8-10-38 extends the same power to the Family Court.”
Goldstein v. Goldstein, 286 A.2d 589 (R.I. 1972). · cites it 2× “Section 8-10-38. The Family Court’s order was not vindictive or punitive in nature.”
Bowen v. Bowen, 675 A.2d 412 (R.I. 1996). “Once having undertaken to issue an income assignment order, the Family Court, pursuant to § 8-10-38, has been invested with the “like powers” of the Supreme and the Superior Courts as provided in G.”
Bianchini v. Bianchini, 416 A.2d 123 (R.I. 1980). · cites it 2× “1956 (1969 Reenactment) § 8-10-38 the Legislature conferred upon the Family Court like powers as are conferred upon the Superior Court.”
In re Price, 645 A.2d 488 (R.I. 1994). · cites it 2× “” and also Section 8-10-38 provides in part: “Like powers are hereby conferred upon the family court as are conferred upon the superior court by the provisions of § 8-6-1, entitled General powers of supreme and superior courts * * Without any reference to the issues raised in…”
McCullough v. Hudspeth, 389 A.2d 1242 (R.I. 1978). “3 General Laws (1969 Reenactment) §8-10-38 confers upon the Family Court the same powers that are conferred upon the Superior Court by §8-6-1, and the latter section provides in pertinent part: “The supreme and superior courts shall have power to enter such judgments, decrees…”
In re N.D. (R.I. 2024). · cites it 2× “1956 § 8-6-1 (codifying the Superior Court’s power to punish those in contempt of its authority); G.L. 1956 § 8-10-38(a) (conferring like powers upon the Family Court “as are conferred upon the [S]uperior [C]ourt by the provisions of § 8-6-1”).”
Kay v. Kay, 474 A.2d 86 (R.I. 1984). “” See § 8-6-1. The power to ensure the orderly operation of the Family Court through necessary orders is ancillary to the court’s statutory jurisdiction.”
In re N.B., 22-75 (April 15, 2024) (R.I. 2024). “1956 § 8-10-38(a) (conferring like powers upon the Family Court “as are conferred upon the [S]uperior [C]ourt by the provisions of § 8-6-1”).”
Rosanna Cavanaugh v. Brian Cavanaugh, 92 A.3d 200 (R.I. 2014). “” We read this language in conjunction with § 8-10-38, which confers on the Family Court the same power which is conferred on the Superior Court by the provisions of G.”
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-10-38(a): 2 cases
In re N.D. (R.I. 2024). “1956 § 8-6-1 (codifying the Superior Court’s power to punish those in contempt of its authority); G.L. 1956 § 8-10-38(a) (conferring like powers upon the Family Court “as are conferred upon the [S]uperior [C]ourt by the provisions of § 8-6-1”).”
In re N.B., 22-75 (April 15, 2024) (R.I. 2024). “1956 § 8-10-38(a) (conferring like powers upon the Family Court “as are conferred upon the [S]uperior [C]ourt by the provisions of § 8-6-1”).”
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