Rhode Island General Laws Title 10. Courts and Civil Procedure--Procedure in Particular Actions § 10-5-18. Reduction of damages or partial release of property

If the defendant in any writ shall deem the damages stated in the writ excessive, or if the property, either real or personal, held under any attachment, shall greatly exceed in value the amount of the damages stated in the writ, the defendant may, at any time before final judgment or decree, complain in writing to any justice of the court to which the writ is returnable, or to the superior court if the writ shall be pending in the superior court upon appeal from a district court, requesting the reduction of the amount of the damages or a release of a portion of the property attached;  and the justice or court may, after due notice to the plaintiff in the writ, or to his or her attorney, and upon cause shown, order the damages to be reduced, or a part of the property attached to be released.