The RI 4th Division District Court DUI docket handles every Washington County case. South Kingstown, Narragansett, North Kingstown, Westerly, Charlestown, Hopkinton, Exeter, Richmond, and New Shoreham (Block Island) all arraign at the 4th Division District Court at the McGrath Judicial Complex, 4800 Tower Hill Road, Wakefield. The process moves fast: arraignment within 48 hours, refusal hearing window at 10 days.
If you were arrested in Washington County, your case routes here regardless of which town the stop happened in. The 4th Division has its own scheduling rhythm and the docket includes a heavy summer tourist component because of the South County beach towns.
What the RI 4th Division District Court Handles
The 4th Division hears criminal misdemeanors, traffic-related criminal charges, small claims, and civil cases under $10,000 for all of Washington County. DUI charges under RIGL section 31-27-2 are misdemeanors at the first and second offense level. Third offense within 10 years is a felony.
Nine Washington County municipalities route their DUI arrests through the 4th Division:
- South Kingstown
- Narragansett
- North Kingstown
- Westerly
- Charlestown
- Hopkinton
- Exeter
- Richmond
- New Shoreham (Block Island)
The 4th Division DUI Process
Most 4th Division DUI cases follow the same trajectory: arrest, arraignment within 48 hours, refusal hearing within 10 days at the Traffic Tribunal in Cranston, pretrial conferences over 60-120 days, motion practice, and disposition. Block Island cases may involve ferry-schedule timing considerations.
Defenses That Work at the 4th Division
- Bad stop. Summer tourist stops based on out of state plates alone are challengeable.
- Field sobriety test attack. Beach roads and uneven shoulders affect test reliability.
- Breathalyzer calibration. Lapses void the breath reading.
- Observation period violations.
- Implied consent advisement defects.
City Pages Inside the 4th Division
Talk to The RI DUI Guy
If you were arrested for DUI anywhere in Washington County, the 4th Division is where your case is heading. Call The RI DUI Guy Chad F. Bank at 401-573-2265 for a free consultation.