COMMITTEE ON CHARACTER AND FITNESS

Rhode Island Supreme Court
250 Benefit Street
Providence, RI  02903
(401) 222-4233
 

     Established by the Supreme Court in 1988, the Committee on Character and Fitness determines the moral fitness of Rhode Island Bar applicants by scrutinizing their finances, legal training, and criminal records, if any.  Additionally, applicants must participate in a personal interview.

     If further review is warranted following the interview, applicants may be referred to the full committee for a hearing.  A recommendation is then made to the Supreme Court as to whether or not an applicant should be admitted to the bar or even be allowed to take the bar examination.  The Supreme Court may either grant the applicant's request or require the applicant to show cause why the court should grant the request. 

     The committee, chaired by Patricia Rocha, Esquire, has seven members who are appointed by the Supreme Court.  Members serve three-year terms.