The Rhode Island Superior Court announced on May 1 a new administrative order outlining judicial assignments for the third and fourth periods of 2026, covering the timeframe from May 3 to September 5.
The schedule details which justices and magistrates will be responsible for various civil and criminal calendars across Providence, Kent, Newport, and Washington counties. The assignments aim to ensure coverage of all court functions during this period.
According to the order signed by Presiding Justice Joseph A. Montalbano, individual judges are designated specific duties such as overseeing trial calendars, pre-arraignment proceedings, special cause calendars, gun dockets, business cases, eviction appeals, costs and restitution matters. For example, Mr. Justice Carnes is assigned to manage both criminal and civil calendars in Newport County on several specified weeks throughout the summer months. Other justices have similar rotating responsibilities in their respective counties or courtrooms.
Retired justices are also included in the schedule; Mr. Justice Lanphear (Ret) will oversee several civil-related calendars in Providence County while Mr. Justice Procaccini (Ret) will assist with trial calendars as needed. Magistrates are tasked with specialized dockets including adult drug court matters and probation termination cases.
The detailed assignment plan ensures that each calendar—ranging from daily criminal dockets to mass tort pre-trials—is managed by an appointed justice or magistrate during every week within the covered period.
Montalbano signed off on the order dated May 1.
