Rhode Island General Laws Title 8. Courts and Civil Procedure--Courts § 8-5-9. Right to stenographic record

(a) Where not already provided by law, any party to any legal action shall have the right to have a stenographer present provided that the party bears the expense of the stenographer, his or her transcription, and any other expenses incidental thereto. For purposes of this section the term “legal action” shall include all formal proceedings before any court or quasijudicial authority, all administrative hearings described in § 42-35-9, all zoning hearings, all district court trials, and all workers' compensation formal proceedings.

(b) It shall be the duty of the party desiring the services of a stenographer to secure the presence of the stenographer, and there shall be no right to a continuance because of the unavailability of a stenographer.

(c) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to permit stenographers to attend grand jury proceedings as a matter of right.