Providence courthouse opens new legal resource center

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A new legal resource center has opened at the Garrahy Judicial Complex in Providence, giving people without attorneys additional help navigating the court system.

Court officials said the center is designed to assist self-represented individuals who may need help understanding court forms, procedures and available legal resources. The goal is to make the legal process easier to understand while improving access to information and support services.

The Providence center will be open Mondays and Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Officials said the resource center will connect visitors with guidance on court-related matters and referrals to organizations that may be able to provide legal assistance. Similar programs in other court systems have focused on helping people better prepare for hearings and understand the legal process before appearing in court.

The Judiciary previously opened its first legal resource center at the Noel Judicial Complex in Warwick in November 2024. That location is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The centers are intended to reduce confusion for people handling legal matters on their own while improving access to the justice system.

More information is available by calling (401) 823-1126 or emailing AccessToJustice@courts.ri.gov.