Assault with a dangerous weapon cases in Rhode Island begin at the District Court for arraignment and bail, then move to Rhode Island Superior Court for the substantive proceedings including jury trial because of the felony classification. The Attorney General has up to 6 months after arraignment to file the indictment or information moving the case to Superior Court. Felony jury trials happen before a 12-person jury. The procedural rules, prosecutors, and judges at Superior Court are more demanding than at District Court, and the stakes are significantly higher.
