§ 43-3-1 English statutes as common law
§ 43-3-2 Application of rules of construction
§ 43-3-3 Gender of words
§ 43-3-3.1 Gender of titles
§ 43-3-3.2 Use of appropriate gender language
§ 43-3-4 Singular and plural
§ 43-3-5 Joint authority exercised by majority
§ 43-3-6 “Person” defined
§ 43-3-7 Repealed
§ 43-3-7.1 Use of appropriate disability language
§ 43-3-8 “United States” defined
§ 43-3-9 Towns include cities
§ 43-3-10 “Land” and “real estate” defined
§ 43-3-11 Oaths and affirmations
§ 43-3-12 “Month” and “year” defined
§ 43-3-13 Computation of time
§ 43-3-14 “Warden” and “warden’s court” included
§ 43-3-15 “Seal” defined
§ 43-3-16 General definitions – Statutory references
§ 43-3-17 “Rhode Island highway system” defined
§ 43-3-18 “Product of the farm” or “farm product” defined
§ 43-3-19 Registered and certified mail
§ 43-3-20 Financial reports
§ 43-3-21 Incorporation acts in evidence
§ 43-3-22 Effect of repeal on prior rights and proceedings
§ 43-3-22.1 Enlargement of statutes of limitation – Effect on actions not yet expired
§ 43-3-23 Effect of repeal on criminal prosecutions
§ 43-3-24 Repeal not reviving
§ 43-3-25 Effective date of statutes
§ 43-3-26 Conflicting general and special provisions
§ 43-3-27 Security interests
§ 43-3-28 Proclamation of emergency
§ 43-3-29 Compliance of acts to be performed, authorized, or required following proclamation of emergency
§ 43-3-30 Termination of emergency
§ 43-3-31 Severability
§ 43-3-32 Construction of §§ 43-3-28 – 43-3-31

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws > Chapter 43-3 - Construction and Effect of Statutes

  • Affirmed: In the practice of the appellate courts, the decree or order is declared valid and will stand as rendered in the lower court.
  • Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
  • Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6
  • Personal property: All property that is not real property.
  • Public law: A public bill or joint resolution that has passed both chambers and been enacted into law. Public laws have general applicability nationwide.
  • Remainder: An interest in property that takes effect in the future at a specified time or after the occurrence of some event, such as the death of a life tenant.
  • seal: shall be construed to include an impression of the seal made with or without the use of wax or wafer on the paper. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-15
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
  • town: may be construed to include city; the words "town council" include city council; the words "town clerk" include city clerk; the words "ward clerk" include clerk of election district; the words "town treasurer" include city treasurer; and the words "town sergeant" include city sergeant. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-9
  • United States: include the several states and the territories of the United States. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-8