Preventing Civil Arrests in Court (S 291, H 6121)

This legislation would generally bar the civil arrest of individuals while they are in a courthouse to attend a court proceeding. The administration of justice depends on all people having free and full access to the courts. The state cannot deliver the promise of equal access to justice and due process under law if a segment of the community is afraid to appear in court. We supported this legislation as an important antidote to address the growing tide of immigration enforcement taking place at or near courthouses in Rhode Island.