The summons shall be served upon the party complained against, or a copy thereof left at his or her usual place of abode, six (6) days, exclusive, before the day appointed by the justice for the trial; and if, after the service of the summons, the party shall not appear to defend, the court shall proceed to the inquiry in the same manner as if he or she were present.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-19-3
Service on defendant — Proceeding on nonappearance
P.L. 1908, ch. 1533, § 3; G.L. 1909, ch. 340, § 3; G.L. 1923, ch. 391, § 3; G.L. 1938, ch. 591, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 34-19-3.
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.