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# Joseph McBurney

Rhode Island Superior Court · Associate Justice

## Profile

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

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Joseph J. McBurney is an Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Superior Court, sworn in on May 18, 2023, after a distinguished legal career in criminal law and judicial training
- Former prosecutor in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Criminal Division
- McBurney’s legal career has focused on criminal justice, public service, and judicial education

### Education

- Catholic University of America — bio-5fdcbaf6a012; user_supplied_research
- University of Connecticut School of Law — bio-5fdcbaf6a012; user_supplied_research

### Additional information

- Joined fill the vacancy left by Judge Netti C. Vogel and officially sworn in by Governor Dan McKee on May 18, 2023.
- As an Associate Justice, he presides over criminal and civil cases in the Rhode Island Superior Court
- Before his judicial appointment, McBurney held the role of Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Division of the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General.
- In his acceptance statement, McBurney said the appointment was “no greater honor than dedicating my legal career to the pursuit of justice in courtrooms around our state” and that he looks forward to continuing that work in his new role
- Educational background includes Catholic University of America

## 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)

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