Prior to the commencement of any hearing, the justice shall advise the parent or guardian of any child, or the adult involved, as the case may be, that if he or she is financially unable to engage counsel, he or she is entitled to the services of the public defender. The public defender shall, at the request of a justice of the family court, appear in court on behalf of that person.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 14-1-31
Services of public defender
Known as the Family Court Act
The act spans §§ 14-1-1 to 14-1-9 (95 sections).
P.L. 1944, ch. 1441, § 24; G.L. 1956, § 14-1-31; impl. am
Official source: Rhode Island General Assembly. Reproduced from public-domain Rhode Island statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.