Whenever it shall appear to any court of record that any witness or party who has been legally sworn or affirmed and examined or has made an affidavit in the proceeding before the court has testified in such a manner as to induce a reasonable presumption that he or she has been guilty of perjury in the proceeding, the court may immediately commit the witness or party by an order or process for that purpose, or may take a recognizance with surety for his or her appearance to answer an indictment or information for perjury.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-17-11