R.I. Gen. Laws
Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-2-15 (2026)

Criminal jurisdiction

✓ text as last checked Sept. 2026 (this copy records no edition or section history)
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The superior court shall have original jurisdiction of all crimes, offenses, and misdemeanors, except as otherwise provided by law, and shall sentence all persons found guilty before it to the punishment prescribed by law. All indictments found by grand juries shall be returned into the court.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 13 cases, 1960–2010 · leading case: State v. Texieira, 944 A.2d 132 (R.I. 2008).
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State v. Texieira, 944 A.2d 132 (R.I. 2008). · cites it 3× “10 There is no question that the Superior Court had jurisdiction over the instant case, because it clearly has original jurisdiction over murder cases pursuant to G.L. 1956 § 8-2-15. 11 We infer that, because it is clear that there was no lack of subject matter jurisdiction in…”
Cronan ex rel. State v. Cronan, 774 A.2d 866 (R.I. 2001). · cites it 2× “1983) (emphasis added); see also G.L.1956 § 8-2-15 (“The superior court shall have original jurisdiction of all crimes, offenses, and misdemeanors, except as otherwise provided by law.”
State v. Carter, 827 A.2d 636 (R.I. 2003). · cites it 3× “He argues that, although the Superior Court generally has original felony jurisdiction pursuant to G.L.1956 § 8-2-15, this statutory vesting of jurisdiction is not without limits as mandated by the General Assembly.”
State v. Harnois, 853 A.2d 1249 (R.I. 2004). · cites it 3× “There is no question that the Superior Court clearly had original jurisdiction over these crimes under G.L.1956 § 8-2-15. 4 However, Harnois maintains that the Superior Court did not have jurisdiction to sentence him to serve life imprisonment without parole because, he asserts,…”
State v. Tower, 984 A.2d 40 (R.I. 2009). · cites it 6× “2008) (rejecting argument that Superior Court lacked subject-matter jurisdiction over a murder case because G.L.1956 § 8-2-15 undoubtedly confers jurisdiction).”
State v. DelBonis, 862 A.2d 760 (R.I. 2004). · cites it 2× “Pursuant to G.L.1956 § 8-2-15, the Superior Court “shall have origi *763 nal jurisdiction of all crimes, offenses, and misdemeanors, except as otherwise provided by law.”
State v. Brown, 9 A.3d 1232 (R.I. 2010). · cites it 2× “See G.L.1956 § 8-2-15 (“All indictments found by grand juries shall be returned into the [Superior] [C]ourt.”
State v. Souza, 456 A.2d 775 (R.I. 1983). “*779 The Superior Court is a court of general jurisdiction and may decide any controversy in which the state alleges the commission of a felonious crime or, indeed, any crime unless jurisdiction is conferred upon some other tribunal.”
State v. Conti, 291 A.2d 623 (R.I. 1972). · cites it 5× “Section 8-2-15 2 vests in the Superior Court original jurisdiction of the crime charged.”
State v. McGuire, 157 A.2d 657 (R.I. 1960). “Under general laws 1956, §8-2-15, the superior court has original jurisdiction of all crimes, offenses and misdemeanors.”
State v. Palmigiano, 295 A.2d 44 (R.I. 1972). · cites it 3× “It is clear from the pertinent statutes that neither the jurisdiction conferred on the District Court under §12-3-1 nor the jurisdiction conferred on the Superior Court under §§8-2-15 and 12-17-1 rests upon the misdemeanor-felony distinction.”
State v. Perry, 234 A.2d 115 (R.I. 1967). · cites it 3× “1956, §8-2-15. 1 Arraigned in the superior court, petitioner pleaded not guilty, was released in personal recognizance and was given time in which to file special pleas.”
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