§ 45-2-48 - Town of East Greenwich – Municipal court.
SECTION 45-2-48
§ 45-2-48 Town of East Greenwich –Municipal court. – (a) The town council of the town of East Greenwich may establish a municipalcourt and confer upon that court original jurisdiction, notwithstanding anyother provisions of the general laws, to hear and determine causes involvingthe violation of any ordinance, including minimum housing ordinances of thetown and any violation of the provisions of chapter 24.3 of this title,entitled the "Rhode Island Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code"; provided,however, that any defendant found guilty of any offense, excluding violationsof the minimum housing ordinances or chapter 24.3 of this title may, withinseven (7) days of conviction, file an appeal from the conviction to the KentCounty superior court and be entitled in the latter court to a trial de novo;and provided, further, however, that any defendant found guilty of anyviolation of a minimum housing ordinance or of chapter 24.3 of this title, maywithin seven (7) days of conviction, file an appeal from the conviction to thesixth division of the district court and be entitled to a trial de novo inaccordance with §§ 8-8-3(a)(4) and 8-8-3.2.
(b) With respect to violations of either municipal ordinancesdealing with minimum housing or chapter 24.3 et seq. of this title dealing withhousing maintenance and occupancy, the town council may also confer upon themunicipal court, in furtherance of the court's jurisdiction, the power toproceed according to equity:
(1) To restrain, prevent, enjoin, abate, or correct aviolation;
(2) To order the repair, vacation, or demolition of anydwelling, existing in violation; or
(3) To otherwise compel compliance with all of the provisionsof those ordinances and statutes.
(c) The town council of the town of East Greenwich isauthorized and empowered to appoint a judge and clerk of the municipal court.The East Greenwich town council of the town is authorized and empowered toenact ordinances governing the personnel, operation, and procedure to befollowed in the court and to establish a schedule of fees and costs and tootherwise provide for the operation and management of the court. The municipalcourt may impose a fine not in excess of five hundred dollars ($500). The courtis empowered to administer oaths, compel the attendance of witnesses, andpunish persons for contempt.