is the federal district court whose jurisdiction is the state of Rhode Island.

The District Court was created in 1790 when Rhode Island ratified the Constitution.

Congress authorized one judgeship for the Court, and assigned the district to the Eastern Circuit.

On February 13, 1801, the outgoing lame duck Federalist-controlled Congress passed the controversial Judiciary Act of 1801 which reassigned the District of Rhode Island to the First Circuit.

The chief judge serves for a term of seven years, or until age 70, whichever occurs first.