R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-9-12
When the adjutant general, or some commissioned officer authorized by the adjutant general, shall by petition, verified by his or her oath, represent to the superior court that the person named in the petition, resident or to be found in the state, detains any arms, ammunition, uniforms, equipment, supplies, or other military property of the state or for which the state is responsible, describing the military property generally, after demand is made for the military property by the petitioner, or someone duly authorized by the petitioner, the superior court shall, upon the filing of the petition, make an order requiring the person complained against to deliver up the military property to the petitioner by such day as the court shall fix, or show cause on that day, before the court, why the military property should not be delivered up. A copy of the order, certified by the clerk of the court, shall be served on the respondent personally, or if not served personally, shall be left at his or her residence or last and usual place of abode, or place of business or employment, with a person of full age at least four (4) days before the day set for the hearing.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-9-12