Civil traffic infractions in Providence go to the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal. Criminal traffic offenses (driving on a suspended license, reckless driving, DUI, leaving the scene of an accident) go to the Sixth Division District Court at the J. Joseph Garrahy Judicial Complex. The Traffic Tribunal handles disputes over civil infractions through a magistrate hearing, with appeals to a panel of judges. The District Court handles criminal traffic charges with the same procedure as other misdemeanors including arraignment, pre-trial conference, and bench trial. The court your case goes to determines which procedure applies.
