--- title: "J. Patrick O’Neill | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/j-patrick-oneill-associate-judge-rhode-island-district-court-ri" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # J. Patrick O’Neill Rhode Island District Court · Associate Judge ## Profile - Court: Rhode Island District Court - State: Rhode Island - Role: Associate Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - American attorney and former Rhode Island state legislator, now serving as an Associate Judge of the Rhode Island District Court since June 2023 - Sworn in as Rhode Island District Court Associate Judge June 23, 2023, replacing Elaine Bucci - Legal Career: Attorney with Jackson O'Neill, LLC and D’Amico and Burchfield - Private practice with Jackson O’Neill LLC and D’Amico and Burchfield ### Education - Colby College — Colby College; bio-e2a0ec2e2a73; user_supplied_research - Roger Williams University School of Law — Roger Williams University School of Law; bio-e2a0ec2e2a73; user_supplied_research ### Additional information - Former Rhode Island House member, 2005–2015, and District Court magistrate before appointment as associate judge. - RI House District 59 Democrat 2005–2015, Judiciary and Rules committees, Majority Whip elected 2010, reelected 2008, 2010 and 2012. - O’Neill brings over 24 years of legal and legislative experience, including five years as a District Court Magistrate - His appointment filled the seat vacated by Judge Elaine Bucci - Educational background includes Colby College ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### cell phone use Scope: courtwide Rhode Island Supreme Court courthouse rules prohibit cellular telephone use in courtrooms and prohibit cell-phone camera and video use in the courthouse. Evidence excerpt: Cellular telephone use is strictly prohibited in the courtrooms. Cellular telephone camera and video is strictly prohibited in the courthouse. [Supreme Court Courthouse Rules](https://www.courts.ri.gov/Public-Resources/Documents/Your%20Day%20In%20Court/Courthouse%20Rules%20February%205,%202024.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### recording equipment Scope: courtwide Rhode Island courthouse rules list photographic and audio-visual equipment, including cameras and audio or video recorders, as prohibited items. Evidence excerpt: No photographic or audio-visual equipment of any type, including cameras, video, or audio recorders or players. [Supreme Court Courthouse Rules](https://www.courts.ri.gov/Public-Resources/Documents/Your%20Day%20In%20Court/Courthouse%20Rules%20February%205,%202024.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courts.ri.gov/Public-Resources/Documents/JudicialRoster.pdf) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.ri.gov/Public-Resources/Documents/JudicialRoster.pdf) - [Rhode Island Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.ri.gov/Public-Resources/Documents/JudicialRoster.pdf) - [Calendars and Public Access to Court Hearings](https://www.courts.ri.gov/Pages/PublicAccessCourtHearings.aspx) - [Supreme Court Courthouse Rules](https://www.courts.ri.gov/Public-Resources/Documents/Your%20Day%20In%20Court/Courthouse%20Rules%20February%205,%202024.pdf) - [Supreme Court Courthouse Rules, revised February 2024](https://www.courts.ri.gov/Public-Resources/Documents/Your%20Day%20In%20Court/Courthouse%20Rules%20February%205,%202024.pdf) - [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Patrick_O%27Neill) - [ballotpedia.org](https://ballotpedia.org/J._Patrick_O%27Neill) - [governor.ri.gov](https://governor.ri.gov/press-releases/governor-mckee-swears-five-judges-0) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/j-patrick-oneill-associate-judge-rhode-island-district-court-ri", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/j-patrick-oneill-associate-judge-rhode-island-district-court-ri", "name": "J. 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