R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.2-4: Subpoena.

(a) The traffic tribunal through its judges, magistrates and clerks is hereby authorized and empowered to summon defendants and issue subpoenas to the same extent as they may be issued by the district court in civil cases in such forms as may be prescribed by rules promulgated by the chief magistrate of the traffic tribunal pursuant to § 8-6-2.

(b) Notaries public and justices of the peace may issue subpoenas returnable before the traffic tribunal to the same extent that they are authorized to do so in civil cases pending before the district court.