--- title: "William E. Carnes, Jr. | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-e-carnes-jr-associate-justice-rhode-island-superior-court-ri" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # William E. Carnes, Jr. 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 - William E. Carnes Jr. is described as a Rhode Island Superior Court associate justice appointed February 14, 2007 by Governor Donald Carcieri for life - Legal Career: After law school, practiced law in private practice until 2007 the biographical record+1. - Public Service: Served as a Police Officer with the Town of Lincoln Police Department from 1976 to 2001 the biographical record+1 - Judge Carnes has a long-standing background in law enforcement, legislative service, and legal practice, combining public service with judicial experience ### Education - Suffolk University Law School — 1986 — user_supplied_research; bio-f77b2a946d98 - Suffolk University Law School in the biographical record+1 — J.D. (1986) - Listed education: Saint Raphael Academy, Bryant College bachelor’s (1981), Suffolk University J.D. (1986). - Bryant College — 1981 — user_supplied_research; bio-f77b2a946d98 - Undergraduate: Bachelor’s degree from Bryant College in 1981 the biographical record+1. ### Additional information - Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Superior Court, appointed in 2007 by Governor Donald L. Carcieri, and currently presides over the Criminal Calendar in Newport County - , appointed in 2007 by former Governor Donald L. Carcieri - Appointed: February 14, 2007, by Governor Donald L. Carcieri Rhode Island Department of State. - Academic Role: Served as an adjunct faculty member at the Community College of Rhode Islandfrom 1987 to 2007 the biographical record+1. - His teaching included as a Community College of Rhode Island adjunct (1987–2007). - He held the role of Lincoln police officer (1976–2001), practiced law (1986–2007), and was legal counsel to the Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee, majority leader and president (2001–2007). - Educational background includes Bryant College, 1981 - Born: October 15, 1953, in Providence, Rhode Island Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly. - Current Role: Presides over the Criminal Calendar in Newport Countythe biographical record. - Counsel to the Senate President Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly. - Counsel to the Rhode Island Senate Committee on Judiciary - Counsel to the Senate Majority Leader - Counsel to the Senate President Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly. - According to, Carnes has been recognized for his legal knowledge, communication skills, and ethical standards, with peer ratings including AV Preeminent® — the highest peer recognition level - Biography of the Hon. William E. Carnes, Jr. - High School: Saint Raphael Academy Rhode Island Department of State. - Court: Rhode Island Superior Court, the state’s trial court of general jurisdiction Rhode Island Department of State. - Appointment Type: Lifetime appointment Rhode Island Department of State. - His work on the Superior Court covers a broad range of criminal and civil matters, reflecting his extensive legal training and service history - Frank Licht Judicial Complex, 250 Benefit St., Providence, RI 02903 - Phone: (401) 222‐3250 ## 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) - [rilawyersweekly.com](https://rilawyersweekly.com/judicial-profiles/rhode-island-superior-court/william-e-carnes/) - [opengov.sos.ri.gov](https://opengov.sos.ri.gov/GOVDirectoryPublic/ViewGOVDirectoryDetails?RelationID=2280&EntityID=3424&page=DetailJudge) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-e-carnes-jr-associate-justice-rhode-island-superior-court-ri", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-e-carnes-jr-associate-justice-rhode-island-superior-court-ri", "name": "William E. 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