---
title: "What is the difference between Rhode Island District Court and Superior Court?"
description: "Rhode Island District Court handles all misdemeanor criminal cases and the initial arraignment and bail hearing for felonies. District Court trials are bench trials, decided by a judge without a..."
url: https://duiattorneyrhodeisland.com/faq-items/what-is-the-difference-between-rhode-island-district-court-and-superior-court/
date: 2026-05-23
modified: 2026-05-23
author: "Criminal Defense Attorney Rory Munns"
type: faq
lang: en
---

# What is the difference between Rhode Island District Court and Superior Court?

Rhode Island District Court handles all misdemeanor criminal cases and the initial arraignment and bail hearing for felonies. District Court trials are bench trials, decided by a judge without a jury. Rhode Island Superior Court handles felony trials with juries, civil cases above the District Court jurisdictional limit, and appeals from District Court (where you get a brand-new *de novo* trial). District Court is faster, less formal, and resolves the vast majority of criminal matters. Superior Court is slower, more formal, and handles cases with higher stakes. Most defendants in Rhode Island only ever appear in District Court.