(A) Subject to division (B) of this section, the Town Council hereby confers on the Municipal Court original jurisdiction to hear and determine causes involving violation of:
(1) Any ordinance of the town;
(2) Minimum housing ordinances, including any violation of R.I. Gen. Laws Title 45, Ch. 24.3, the state Housing, Maintenance, and Occupancy code.
(3) Any other jurisdiction conferred by state law.
(B) Division (A) of this section applies, provided, however, that:
(1) Any defendant found guilty of any offense, excluding violations of minimum housing ordinances, or R.I. Gen. Laws Ch. 45-24.3, may within seven days of such conviction, file an appeal from the conviction to the Superior Court and be entitled in the latter court to a trial de novo; and
(2) Any defendant found guilty of any violation of a minimum housing ordinance, or of R.I. Gen. Laws Ch. 45-24.3, within seven days of such conviction, file an appeal from the conviction to the First Division of the District Court and be entitled to a trial de novo in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 8-8-3 (a)(4) and 8-8-3.2; and
(3) Any defendant found guilty of an offense over which the Municipal Court has jurisdiction pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-18-3 may file an appeal as set forth in R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 8-18-9 and 31-43-4.
(C) With respect to violations of municipal ordinances dealing with minimum housing, or R.I. Gen. Laws Ch. 45-24.3, the Town Council hereby confers upon the Municipal Court, in furtherance of the aforementioned jurisdiction, the power to proceed, according to equity:
(1) To restrain, prevent, enjoin, abate, or correct a violation;
(2) To order the repair, vacating, or demolition of any dwelling existing in violation; or
(3) To otherwise compel compliance with all provisions of ordinances and statutes.
(Ord. passed 5-16-94)