§ 9-17-1 Form of subpoena
§ 9-17-2 Subpoenas by court clerks and district court judges
§ 9-17-3 Subpoenas issued by other officials
§ 9-17-4 Service of subpoena
§ 9-17-5 Duty to attend when subpoenaed
§ 9-17-5.1 Subpoena for production of documentary evidence
§ 9-17-6 Tender of fees to certain witnesses not required
§ 9-17-7 Attachment to compel attendance
§ 9-17-8 Attachment of witness in criminal proceeding
§ 9-17-9 Commitment of attached witness – Recognizance
§ 9-17-10 Discharge from custody on giving of recognizance
§ 9-17-11 Civil liability for failure to attend
§ 9-17-12 Competency of parties or interested persons
§ 9-17-13 Spouses of parties
§ 9-17-14 Repealed
§ 9-17-15 Effect of conviction for crime
§ 9-17-16 Repealed
§ 9-17-17 Cross-examination not a waiver of exception
§ 9-17-18 Certificate of days and mileage as prerequisite to payment of fees
§ 9-17-22 Expert fees as costs
§ 9-17-23 Privileged communications to clergy
§ 9-17-24 Privileged communications to and information obtained by health care providers
§ 9-17-25 Privileged communication – Interpreter

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws > Chapter 9-17 - Witnesses

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Attachment: A procedure by which a person's property is seized to pay judgments levied by the court.
  • Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
  • 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.
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Decedent: A deceased person.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Deposition: An oral statement made before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Such statements are often taken to examine potential witnesses, to obtain discovery, or to be used later in 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.
  • Executor: A male person named in a will to carry out the decedent
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • National Bank: A bank that is subject to the supervision of the Comptroller of the Currency. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is a bureau of the U.S. Treasury Department. A national bank can be recognized because it must have "national" or "national association" in its name. Source: OCC
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
  • Testify: Answer questions in court.
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
  • 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
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.