R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-19 § 34-19-2
Issuance of summons to defendant
Operative Text
The court shall also make out a summons to the party complained against in the form following: THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND. SC. (SEAL) To the sheriff of the county of .......... or .......... to his or her deputy, .......... Greeting: We command you that you summon .......... of .......... to appear before our superior court at .......... in our county of .......... on the ...... day of .......... at .......... o'clock ( : ) in the .......... noon, then and there to answer to and defend against the complaint of .......... there exhibited: .......... wherein .......... complains that (here recite the complaint); and you are to make return of this writ with your doings thereon unto our the court upon or before the such day. Given under my hand and seal, the ...... day of .......... in the year ...... . Justice of the superior court.
Rhode Island General Laws § 34-19-2 establishes the official form that a court must use when issuing a summons to a defendant in a landlord-tenant case. The summons directs a county sheriff or deputy to formally notify the named party that they must appear before the Superior Court at a specified date and time to respond to the complaint filed against them. The provision sets out the exact template language, including the seal, the command to the sheriff, and the signature of a Superior Court justice.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 34-19-2, when a landlord initiates a court proceeding — such as an eviction action — the Superior Court issues a summons in the prescribed form to the defendant, directing a sheriff or deputy to serve it. A compliant operator generally ensures that the complaint filed with the court is accurate and complete, since the summons will recite its contents verbatim to the defendant. Familiarity with this formal process helps property owners understand what defendants receive and what timeline is set by the court.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 34-19-2 governs the official summons form that a Rhode Island Superior Court issues when someone is named as a defendant in a housing-related complaint. If you receive a summons issued under this provision, it will specify the court location, the date and time you are required to appear, and a recitation of the complaint made against you. Tenants who receive such a summons may wish to review the complaint details carefully, contact a tenant-rights organization, or seek legal guidance to understand available defenses before the scheduled court date.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
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