Driving in Providence presents the same difficulties found in any city—dense traffic, limited parking, and the risk of getting a ticket. When it comes to dealing with these tickets, the Providence Municipal Court, under the oversight of the city council, has gone to great lengths to make things easier for the public to navigate.
One example of this is a recent push to ensure that dealing with the court is as easy as possible for as many residents as possible. From recent census data, we know that more than 1 in 5 Providence residents speak a language other than English. That’s why Chief Judge John Lombardi, Court Administrator Elisabeth Bettis, and Council President Rachel Miller have led strategic efforts that prioritize accessibility and equitable systems.
Under the leadership of Council President Miller, the city’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget allocated funds for a bilingual clerk and public defender at the Municipal Court to address criminal justice inequality. Additionally, Chief Judge Lombardi and Bettis have ensured that the public has quick and easy access to support in over a dozen languages through a third-party service. Whether or not someone speaks English, Municipal Court staff provide necessary support to ensure that the public can review, pay, and dispute tickets.
While the court can be a daunting place, thanks to the hardworking city workers who show up every day for Providence residents, members of the public can feel confident that when they do need to stop by the court they will be treated with dignity and fairness. In everything they do, Bettis and court staff keep the public’s needs and experience front-of-mind.
The effort to create streamlined, accessible systems has also extended beyond the walls of the Municipal Court. When a December 2023 audit revealed major customer service issues with a third-party vendor, action was swift and decisive. For council members and Municipal Court leadership alike, the treatment of constituents under the third-party system was unacceptable. Since then, Municipal Court has moved all constituent calls in-house, and the clerks have taken on the task of addressing callers with the kindness and respect that the public deserves.
Beyond the regular operations at the Municipal Court, the Providence Public Safety Complex offers a variety of other public services and support. In dangerously high summer temperatures, the building serves as a cooling center. A community board is regularly updated with a range of helpful resources in several languages. Every day, the dedicated public servants at the Municipal Court are advancing public safety initiatives in Providence without compromising the public’s well-being.
To get help with a ticket or to contest a violation, call the Municipal Court at 401-680-5000 or visit in person at 325 Washington Street, Providence, RI 02903.
