(a)  The complaint and any order issued under this chapter shall be personally served upon the defendant by a deputy sheriff or certified constable except as provided in subsections (c), (d), and (f) of this section. Service shall be made without payment of any fee when service is made by a deputy sheriff. At the election of the plaintiff, service pursuant to this subsection may also be made by a certified constable authorized to serve process of the district court pursuant to § 9-5-10.1. The certified constable shall be entitled to receive the fee allowed by law for the service of a district court summons.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 8-8.1-4.2

  • Clerk of court: An officer appointed by the court to work with the chief judge in overseeing the court's administration, especially to assist in managing the flow of cases through the court and to maintain court records.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.

(b)  Return of service shall be forwarded by the deputy sheriff or certified constable to the clerk of court prior to the date set down for hearing on the complaint. If service has not been made, the deputy sheriff or certified constable shall indicate on the summons the reason therefor and the attempts made to serve the defendant.

(c)  At the time the return of service is sent to the clerk of the court, the deputy sheriff or certified constable shall cause a copy of the return of service to be sent to the plaintiff and to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

(d)  If, at the time of hearing on the complaint, the court determines that after diligent effort the deputy sheriff or certified constable has been unable to serve the defendant personally, the judge may order an alternate method of service designed to give reasonable notice of the action to the defendant and taking into consideration the plaintiff’s ability to afford the means of service ordered. Alternative service shall include, but not be limited to: service by certified and regular mail at defendant’s last-known address (excluding the residence that he or she has been ordered to vacate) or place of employment; leaving copies at the defendant’s dwelling or usual place of abode with a person of suitable age and discretion residing therein; or by publication in a newspaper for two (2) consecutive weeks. The court shall set a new date for hearing on the complaint and shall extend the temporary order until that date.

(e)  If the defendant appears in person before the court, the necessity for further service is waived and proof of service of that order is not necessary.

(f)  If the defendant is served notice regarding the complaint and hearing, but does not appear at the hearing, the clerk of the district court shall mail the defendant a copy of the resulting order.

History of Section.
P.L. 1988, ch. 539, § 3; P.L. 1989, ch. 77, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 313, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 324, § 15; P.L. 2015, ch. 260, § 7; P.L. 2015, ch. 275, § 7.