The Office of the Attorney General Consumer Protection Unit investigates and mediates consumer complaints concerning unfair and unlawful business practices and misleading advertising arising out of alleged violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act. If groups of people are victimized by a deceptive trade practice, this office may file in the Superior Court a civil investigative demand, which is a formal investigation. In appropriate cases, a lawsuit to stop the illegal business practice may be initiated. Apart from carrying out its statutory responsibilities, the Unit also provides information and referral services to the general public. Consumers are directed to the appropriate governmental or private agencies for help in answering specialized questions or resolving disputes that are not within the Unit's jurisdiction.

Jail diversion programs provide an alternative to prison to individuals who have been arrested for a crime and are experiencing a behavioral health issue. Jail diversion typically involves reduced or no jail time if an offender participates in a behavioral health program. The program provides offenders with the education and tools they require to change their behavior patterns so they are not rearrested. Thrive’s Court Clinicians are located onsite or are readily available at all Rhode Island Courthouses. They provide psychiatric assessments, referrals and liaison services to individuals who have been identified by court personnel as candidates for jail diversion. Specialized services are provided to veterans and others who suffer from symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Defendants who are experiencing behavioral health symptoms are given a preliminary evaluation by the Thrive Clinician who determines their competency to understand the court proceedings, risk to the community, and willingness to comply with the recommended diversion program. Recommended diversion programs could include one or a combination of any of the following, depending on the need of the individual: outpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment, residential substance abuse treatment, a detox program, a crisis stabilization program, and/or inpatient hospitalization. A diversion program is often in lieu of spending time in jail and will become an order of the Court. Therefore full compliance in the recommend program(s) is necessary for success.

Court Advocacy Court can be a confusing and frustrating experience for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center has an office on the third floor of the Kent County Court House to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault with filing for Temporary Restraining Orders in the District or Family Court. The Court where you file will vary based on where you reside and your relationship to the person you are filing against. If you are coming in to file for a Protective Order you should make every effort to arrive by 2:30 PM so that you will have adequate time to fill out all of the paper work before Judges are off the bench. To make sure you should be filing in Kent County, please call the Court Office at (401) 822-6680. The Court Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am-1:00 pm, the office is closed for lunch from 1:00-2:00 pm, and then reopens from 2:00-4:00 pm. The court advocates in this office also assist victims of domestic violence criminal cases in the Kent County District Court by: Explaining your rights as a victim of crime Explaining the court process and what you may expect