--- title: "Michael J. McCaffrey | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-j-mccaffrey-associate-judge-rhode-island-district-court-ri" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Michael J. McCaffrey 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 - Associate Judge of the Rhode Island District Court, confirmed in February 2026 to fill a vacancy left by Melissa R. DuBose - Described as a Rhode Island District Court associate judge confirmed in February 2026, succeeding Melissa DuBose after her federal appointment. ### Education - JD — Suffolk University — 1989 — Suffolk University, JD, 1989; bio-2ce6e4a1362d; user_supplied_research - Bishop Hendricken High School (1981), Providence College B.S. in accounting (1985), and Suffolk University J.D. (1989). - Educational background includes Providence College — B.S. (1985) - BS — Providence College — 1985 — Providence College, BS, 1985; bio-2ce6e4a1362d; user_supplied_research ### Additional information - Nominated by Governor Dan McKee in 2026 to fill the District Court seat vacated by Melissa R. DuBose, who now serves on the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. - Before his judicial appointment, McCaffrey was a Democratic member of the Rhode Island Senate from 1995 to 2023 - His Rhode Island Senate service spanned 1995–2023: District 16 (1995–2003), District 29 (2003–2023), and majority leader from 2017 to January 3, 2023. - Associate Judge in the Rhode Island District Court, which handles small claims, municipal ordinance violations, regulations, and misdemeanors when the right to a jury trial is waived. - representing District 16 and later District 29. - He chaired the Judiciary Committee and worked on drug court, mental health calendars and judicial diversity. ## 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/Michael_McCaffrey) - [opengov.sos.ri.gov](https://opengov.sos.ri.gov/GOVDirectoryPublic/ViewGOVDirectoryDetails?RelationID=7424&EntityID=874&page=DetailJudge) - [rhodeislandcurrent.com](https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/28/former-ri-senate-majority-leader-one-step-closer-to-becoming-a-judge/) - [ballotpedia.org](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_McCaffrey_%28Rhode_Island%29) - [rhodeislandcurrent.com](https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/02/05/former-senate-majority-leader-confirmed-as-district-court-judge/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-j-mccaffrey-associate-judge-rhode-island-district-court-ri", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-j-mccaffrey-associate-judge-rhode-island-district-court-ri", "name": "Michael J. 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