R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-21-26

Notice of complaint or information shall be issued by the court to the owner, if known, otherwise notice shall be published in some newspaper published in the vicinity for a period of at least two (2) weeks, that all persons interested may appear, either in person or by attorney, at the time and place appointed in the notice for trial, and show cause, if they have any, why judgment of forfeiture should not be passed.