The 2020 State of the Federal Court address from Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. can be found here.
You are here
News & Announcements: 2020
12/09/2020
Due to the declaration of a pandemic/public health emergency, the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island issues its sixth general order regarding the continutiy of operations. Click here for more information.
12/07/2020
In the interests of the efficient and effective administration of justice in civil actions and as part of reasonable public health measures taken to assist with minimizing the spread of COVID-19 during this surge in the pandemic, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island will conduct all trials and all phases of trial from empanelment to deliberation in civil actions via the zoomgov.com platform until further notice. More information can be ...
11/24/2020
At its March 2020 session, on the recommendation of the Committee on Court Administration and Case Management, the Judicial Conference approved inflationary adjustments to fees on the district court miscellaneous fee schedule. These changes are scheduled to become effective December 1, 2020.Click here for more details.
11/02/2020
The United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island is seeking applications from qualified criminal defense attorneys for membership on the District’s Criminal Justice Act Panel. For more information,...
09/25/2020
In response to the spread of the COVID-19, the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island has issued the following order regarding courthouse visitation and access restrictions to the United States Courthouse and the portion of the John O. Pastore Building occupied by the Court. Click here for more information.
09/22/2020
In order to administer hearings and jury trials that are scheduled to occur in the U.S. Courthouse in a fair, just, efficient and safe manner, the Court issues its General Order establishing the protocol for such matters that are scheduled to take place within the U.S. Courthouse. Click here for more information.
09/22/2020
Due to the declaration of a pandemic/public health emergency, the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island issues its fifth general order regarding the continutiy of operations. Click here for more information.
09/14/2020
The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island is soliciting quotations for the purchase and installation of a modular office/wall system to be installed on the 4th floor of the Federal Courthouse.
Please see link below for further details.
09/14/2020
On September 24, 2020, the Federal District Court is partnering with Roger Williams University American Indian Student Association and the United States Attorney’s Office to provide a 2-hour virtual symposium dedicated to information and instruction on domestic violence and trafficking specifically involving indigenous women. For additional details about the program, click here.
The symposium will begin at 12:00 PM and...
08/26/2020
The United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island (Court) is seeking Open Market quotes for (17) Microsoft Surface Laptop 3's or equivalent. Please see link below for further details.
06/30/2020
The Judges of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island have reappointed Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond to a new eight-year term commencing September 10, 2020, and Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan to a new eight-year term commencing October 1, 2020 upon the recommendation of a Merit Selection Panel appointed pursuant to the Order dated January 6, 2020. More information can be found here.
06/29/2020
Due to the declaration of a pandemic/public health emergency, the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island issues its fourth general order regarding the continutiy of operations. Click Here for more information.
06/26/2020
The Federal Judiciary is happy to announce the launch of the Judiciary’s redesigned PACER information website which can be found here. The website, which will launch on June 28, 2020, provides a wide range of resources and information about PACER and electronic public access services to the public, as well as easy access to PACER and PACER-related applications. New features include:
• Mobile friendly design;
• New tool to search for...
06/18/2020
The Honorable Mary M. Lisi, Senior District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, has been designated to assist the Court during the period beginning on June 15, 2020, and ending on December 31, 2020. Judge Lisi will not be...
06/10/2020
Attorney Zoom Training – June 17th, June 24th and July 1st
This 1.5-...
05/22/2020
The Court has issued the follow General Order regarding Depositions in civil cases during the Coronavirus Pandemic. For more information, please click here.
05/06/2020
As outlined in this Court’s prior General Orders regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the current public health crisis surrounding the outbreak and spread of COVID-19 is causing and is expected to continue to cause significant disruption throughout the District of Rhode Island. As a result, the Court has a need to clarify the application of certain rules with respect to signatures on documents. Click here for more information. ...
05/06/2020
Due to the declaration of a pandemic/public health emergency, the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island issues its third general order regarding the continutiy of operations. Click here for more information.
04/29/2020
Letter from the Judges of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island providing important information about the operation of the Court in light of the status of the COVID-19 pandemic. Letter can be found here.
04/16/2020
In response to the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, counsel for persons detained at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility (“Wyatt”) have filed applications for release in individual cases pending in this District. A primary basis cited in each of these applications is the risk of contracting COVID-19 because of their continued confinement. Persons at Wyatt are primarily pre-trial detainees under a contract with the United States Marshals Service (USMS) and immigration detainees under contract...
04/07/2020
The Court has issued the following General Order shortening the response and reply times to emergency motions filed citing COVID-19 as grounds for the relief sought pursuant to LR Cv 7(a)(3) and LR Cr 47(a)(3). For more information please click here.
04/01/2020
In our continued effort to serve the public effectively and efficiently during the COVID-19 pandemic, the public will be able to listen to Court hearings by dialing into judge specific phone numbers. For more information please click here
03/30/2020
The following amended general order shall apply to all criminal matters in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island. The Court finds that a public health crisis exists, and it is in the best interest of the Defendants, their attorneys, court staff, U.S. Marshals Service and the public that human contact be minimized to the greatest extent. Please click here for more information.
03/27/2020
The Court has issued a general order regarding the submission of interim CJA vouchers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The general order can be found here.
03/21/2020
The Court finds that a public health crisis exists, and it is in the best interest of the Defendants, their attorneys, court staff, U.S. Marshals Service and the public that human contact be minimized to the greatest extent. Therefore, the following order shall apply to all criminal matters in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island. Please click here for more information.
03/19/2020
Due to the declaration of a pandemic/public health emergency, the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island issues its second general order effective Friday, March 20, 2020 regarding the continutiy of operations restricting public access to the section of the John O. Pastore building that is occupied by the court. Click here for more information.
03/18/2020
The United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island wants to assure the public that we are 100% operational. While public access to our physical facility will be limited due to the public health guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and local health officials, we are heeding the social distancing recommendations but employees continue the important work of justice via telework computing. More information can be...
03/13/2020
In response to the spread of the COVID-19 virus (cononavirus), the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island has issued the following order restricting access to the United States Courthouse and the portion of the John O. Pastore Building occupied by the Court. Please click here for details.
03/13/2020
Due to the declaration of a pandemic/public health emergency, the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island issues the following order effective Monday, March 16, 2020 regarding the continutiy of operations. Please click here for details.
03/02/2020
In light of the recent announcements from the Rhode Island Department of Health regarding the COVID-19/Coronavirus, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island would like to assure the public that we are following all recommended guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure the safety and health of our customers and staff. Please note the...
02/25/2020
The United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island will provide a number of educational opportunities for members of the bar. The first event is a Lunch and Learn to Meet Judge Mary S. McElroy on March 26, 2020. If you have questions about these educational programs, contact Rana_Smith@rid.uscourts.gov (link sends e-mail)...
02/20/2020
The Local Rules Review Committee of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island has issued a Request for Suggested Changes to the Local Rules. Information about submitting a suggested change to the Local Rules can be found here...
01/17/2020
The Court's Case Management/Electronic Case Files ("CM/ECF") system will be down for server maintenance from Saturday, January 18th at 8:00 a.m. through Sunday January 19th at noon. In case of a litigation-related emergency during this period, please call (401) 752-7099 and leave a message that includes your name, a phone number where you can be reached, and the nature of your emergency. A Clerk’s Office staff member will return your call promptly.
01/06/2020
The current terms of United States Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond and United States Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan are due to expire on September 9, 2020, and September 30, 2020, respectively. As required by law, the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island has established a Merit Selection Panel to consider the reappointment of United States Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond and United States Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan to an eight (8) year term. ...
01/06/2020
The current terms of United States Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond and United States Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan are due to expire on September 9, 2020, and September 30, 2020, respectively.
As required by law, the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island has established a Merit Selection Panel to consider the reappointment of United States Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond and United States Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan to an eight (8) year...