R.I. Gen. Laws § 10-16-7: Judgment on default by defendant.

At the time set for answering, if the defendant does not appear to answer and defend the claim, he or she may then, or thereafter as the court may order, be defaulted, and judgment entered against him or her in favor of the plaintiff for his or her claim, or so much thereof as the court may find to be justly due and owing, or that should be awarded to the plaintiff.