§ 12-17-1 Trial in superior court only on indictment, information, or appeal – Venue
§ 12-17-2 “Not guilty” plea inferred
§ 12-17-3 Waiver of jury trial – Special findings and rulings
§ 12-17-4 Repealed
§ 12-17-5 Continuance of trial to conclusion after opening to jury
§ 12-17-6 Control and disposition of property used as evidence
§ 12-17-7 Release of property held as evidence after escape of defendant
§ 12-17-8 Compulsory process for defense witnesses
§ 12-17-9 Defendant as witness
§ 12-17-10 Defendant’s spouse as witness
§ 12-17-10.1 Spouse as witness in domestic or child abuse actions
§ 12-17-11 Commitment of witness on presumption of perjury
§ 12-17-12 Detention of evidence as to perjury
§ 12-17-13 Jury ordered not to separate
§ 12-17-14 Conviction of lesser-included offense or attempt
§ 12-17-15 Compelling evidence in criminal proceedings – Immunity
§ 12-17-16 Defendant’s right of discovery
§ 12-17-17 Restrictions on the defense of provocation
§ 12-17-18 Restrictions on the defense of diminished capacity
§ 12-17-19 Restrictions on the defense of self-defense

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws > Chapter 12-17 - Trial

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Affirmed: In the practice of the appellate courts, the decree or order is declared valid and will stand as rendered in the lower court.
  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Chief judge: The judge who has primary responsibility for the administration of a court but also decides cases; chief judges are determined by seniority.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
  • 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.
  • Grand jury: agreement providing that a lender will delay exercising its rights (in the case of a mortgage,
  • in writing: include printing, engraving, lithographing, and photo-lithographing, and all other representations of words in letters of the usual form. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-16
  • 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
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
  • Testify: Answer questions in court.
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • Venue: The geographical location in which a case is tried.