---
title: "John F. McBurney III | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-f-mcburney-iii-magistrate-rhode-island-superior-court-ri"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# John F. McBurney III

Rhode Island Superior Court · Magistrate

## Profile

- Court: Rhode Island Superior Court
- State: Rhode Island
- Role: Magistrate
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career


### Education

- Suffolk University Law School — bio-273e559e3818; user_supplied_research — J.D. (1978)
- B.A. from the University of Rhode Island (1972) and a J.D. from Suffolk University (1977)
- Educational background includes University of Rhode Island (B.A.), 1972
- University of Rhode Island — bio-273e559e3818; user_supplied_research — B.A. (1972)

### Additional information

- Elected Senate 1974 succeeding father John F. McBurney Jr.; served through January 2011, announced retirement July 2, 2010
- representing the 15th district from 1975 to 2010.
- Finance and Judiciary committees; unopposed reelection 2008; successor Donna Nesselbush.
- McBurney is a longtime Rhode Island attorney and former Democratic member of the Rhode Island Senate
- He succeeded his father, John F. McBurney Jr., in the Senate and served for over 35 years.
- John F. McBurney III is RI Superior Court magistrate and former Democratic state senator, District 15.
- John F. McBurney III serves on the Rhode Island Superior Court.

## 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/John_F._McBurney_III)
- [ballotpedia.org](https://ballotpedia.org/John_McBurney)
- [ballotpedia.org](https://ballotpedia.org/John_F._McBurney_III)
- [www.biographies.net](https://www.biographies.net/people/en/john_f_mcburney_iii)

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