§ 45-2-45. Town of Bristol — Municipal court.
(a) The town council of the town of Bristol may establish a municipal court and confer
upon that court original jurisdiction, notwithstanding any other provisions of the
general laws, to hear and determine causes involving the violation of any ordinance,
including minimum housing ordinances of the town 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
violations of the minimum housing ordinances or chapter 24.3 of this title may, within
seven (7) days of conviction, file an appeal from the conviction to the superior court
and be entitled in the latter court to a trial de novo; and provided further, however,
that any defendant found guilty of any violation of a minimum housing ordinance or
of chapter 24.3 of this title, may within seven (7) days of conviction, file an appeal
from the conviction to the sixth division of the district court and be entitled to
a trial de novo in accordance with §§ 8-8-3(a)(4) and 8-8-3.2.
(b) With respect to violations of either municipal ordinances dealing with minimum housing
or chapter 24.3 et seq. of this title dealing with housing maintenance and occupancy,
the town council may also confer upon the municipal court, in furtherance of the court's
jurisdiction, the power to proceed according to equity:
(1) To restrain, prevent, enjoin, abate, or correct a violation;
(2) To order the repair, vacation, or demolition of any dwelling, existing in violation;
or
(3) To otherwise compel compliance with all of the provisions of those ordinances and
statutes.
(c) The town council of the town of Bristol is authorized and empowered to appoint a judge
and clerk of the municipal court. The town council of the town is authorized and empowered
to enact ordinances governing the personnel, operation, and procedure to be followed
in the court and to establish a schedule of fees and costs and to otherwise provide
for the operation and management of the court. The municipal court may impose a sentence
not to exceed thirty (30) days in jail and impose a fine not in excess of five hundred
dollars ($500), or both. The court is empowered to administer oaths, compel the attendance
of witnesses, and punish persons for contempt, and to execute search warrants to the
extent the warrants could be executed by a judge of the district court.