Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General

Description

The Office of the Civil Rights Advocate works to promote equal rights for all Rhode Islanders and responds to complaints related to civil rights violations. We are here to help. A key purpose of the Office is to protect the civil rights of individuals belonging to a protected class, including those who may be discriminated against on the basis of their actual or perceived race; color; national origin; ancestry; sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions); sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; disability; age; citizenship or immigration status; genetic information; or status as a person living with AIDS/HIV, or person who is homeless. Whenever any person intentionally interferes or threatens to intentionally interfere, by physical force or violence against a person, by damage or destruction of property or by trespass on property, with the exercise or enjoyment of rights secured by federal or state law, the attorney general may bring a civil action for injunctive relief in order to protect the peaceable exercise or enjoyment of the rights secured. The Civil Rights Advocate can: Investigate complaints (file a complaint) Bring civil enforcement actions for injunctive relief to protect individuals who have been subjected to bias-motivated actual or threatened violence, damage or destruction of property, or trespass on property We also play an important role in the community by: Serving as a resource to local law enforcement throughout the investigation and/or prosecution of hate crimes Referring you to other resources Providing civil rights trainings and education To report discrimination or other civil rights violation, please call the Civil Rights Advocate at (401) 274-4400 or file a complaint online. While we encourage you to reach out to us, it’s important to know that the Office of the Attorney General is not the only civil rights enforcement agency in Rhode Island. If we are unable to assist you with your particular issue, we may be able to refer you to an agency that may be able to assist. If you feel that you have been a victim of hate crime, please call your local police department.

Hours

Mon-Fri 8:00-4:30

Required Documents

Varies

Eligibility

All

Fees

No Fees

Intake Procedure

Call (401) 274-4400 or file a complaint online at https://riag.wufoo.com/forms/k1bdr24113hof4z/

Service Area

Statewide

Geography Served

Telephone Numbers

Description

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.

Hours

Mon-Fri 8:30AM-4:30PM

Required Documents

Varies

Eligibility

All

Fees

No Fees

Intake Procedure

Call

Service Area

Statewide

Geography Served

Telephone Numbers

Description

The Victim Services Unit provides an array of services to felony crime victims and their families and informs victims of their rights as guaranteed under the Rhode Island Constitution and the Victim's Bill of Rights. Also lead the way in environmental enforcements, promote open and transparent government, Stan up for Rhode Island workers, engage with communities, community violence intervention Advocates are assigned to victims and their families to provide guidance and support through the criminal justice process - informing them of their rights, notifying them of the status of the offender’s case, providing personal assistance at court appearances and helping them better understand and participate in the legal process. In addition, the Unit provides referrals to other victim-service provider agencies and support groups that can further assist victims with financial, legal, medical and emotional problems resulting from the crime. Unit advocates also assist prosecutors with all victim-related matters.

Hours

Mon-Fri 8:30AM-4:00PM

Required Documents

Varies

Eligibility

Felony crime victims and their families

Fees

No Fees

Intake Procedure

Call

Service Area

Statewide

Geography Served

Telephone Numbers

Description

The Office of the Civil Rights Advocate works to promote equal rights for all Rhode Islanders and responds to complaints related to civil rights violations. We are here to help. A key purpose of the Office is to protect the civil rights of individuals belonging to a protected class, including those who may be discriminated against on the basis of their actual or perceived race; color; national origin; ancestry; sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions); sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; disability; age; citizenship or immigration status; genetic information; or status as a person living with AIDS/HIV, or person who is homeless. Whenever any person intentionally interferes or threatens to intentionally interfere, by physical force or violence against a person, by damage or destruction of property or by trespass on property, with the exercise or enjoyment of rights secured by federal or state law, the attorney general may bring a civil action for injunctive relief in order to protect the peaceable exercise or enjoyment of the rights secured. The Civil Rights Advocate can: Investigate complaints (file a complaint) Bring civil enforcement actions for injunctive relief to protect individuals who have been subjected to bias-motivated actual or threatened violence, damage or destruction of property, or trespass on property We also play an important role in the community by: Serving as a resource to local law enforcement throughout the investigation and/or prosecution of hate crimes Referring you to other resources Providing civil rights trainings and education To report discrimination or other civil rights violation, please call the Civil Rights Advocate at (401) 274-4400 or file a complaint online. While we encourage you to reach out to us, it’s important to know that the Office of the Attorney General is not the only civil rights enforcement agency in Rhode Island. If we are unable to assist you with your particular issue, we may be able to refer you to an agency that may be able to assist. If you feel that you have been a victim of hate crime, please call your local police department.

Hours

Mon-Fri 8:00-4:30

Required Documents

Varies

Eligibility

All

Fees

No Fees

Intake Procedure

Call (401) 274-4400 or file a complaint online at https://riag.wufoo.com/forms/k1bdr24113hof4z/

Service Area

Statewide

Geography Served

Telephone Numbers

Description

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.

Hours

Mon-Fri 8:30AM-4:30PM

Required Documents

Varies

Eligibility

All

Fees

No Fees

Intake Procedure

Call

Service Area

Statewide

Geography Served

Telephone Numbers

Description

The Victim Services Unit provides an array of services to felony crime victims and their families and informs victims of their rights as guaranteed under the Rhode Island Constitution and the Victim's Bill of Rights. Also lead the way in environmental enforcements, promote open and transparent government, Stan up for Rhode Island workers, engage with communities, community violence intervention Advocates are assigned to victims and their families to provide guidance and support through the criminal justice process - informing them of their rights, notifying them of the status of the offender’s case, providing personal assistance at court appearances and helping them better understand and participate in the legal process. In addition, the Unit provides referrals to other victim-service provider agencies and support groups that can further assist victims with financial, legal, medical and emotional problems resulting from the crime. Unit advocates also assist prosecutors with all victim-related matters.

Hours

Mon-Fri 8:30AM-4:00PM

Required Documents

Varies

Eligibility

Felony crime victims and their families

Fees

No Fees

Intake Procedure

Call

Service Area

Statewide

Geography Served

Telephone Numbers