R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-12-22

(a) In all cases of appeal under this title from the sentence of a district court, and upon all questions arising under that sentence or under any complaint or warrant made under this title in the supreme or superior court, the cases may be conducted and argued in behalf of the complainant by any attorney who may be employed or authorized by that complainant; and in every case in which the defendant or person answering the complaint is required to pay costs, the sum of six dollars ($6.00) shall be taxed in the bill of costs for the services of the attorney employed or authorized and appearing as the attorney of record of the complainant; for which sum the clerk or other officer to whom the costs may be paid shall account with and pay over to the attorney of record within ten (10) days after the bill of costs is paid.

(b) If no attorney within five (5) days after the appeal from the sentence of a district court, or after any question arising under that sentence or under any complaint or warrant under this title, is presented in the supreme or superior court, shall enter his or her appearance in behalf of the complainant, then it is the duty of the attorney general or the assistant attorneys general to take charge of, conduct, argue, and manage that appeal or question in the supreme or superior court, and for those services the sum of six dollars ($6.00) shall be taxed in the bill of costs, and shall be paid over to the officers rendering those services by the clerk or other officer to whom those costs are paid.