R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-21-21
Whenever any person who is charged with the commission of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine shall be outside the confines of this state, the defendant may, with the approval of a judge of the district court for the division in which the complaint may be pending, or with the approval of the justice of the superior court in charge of criminal appeals if the cause is pending on appeal before the superior court, by instrument in writing and duly acknowledged before an appropriate officer, authorize his or her attorney of record to appear in open court and enter on his or her behalf a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, and to pay the fine that may be assessed by the court, together with the costs of prosecution, if any, that may be assessed by the court. Every written authorization shall be filed with the clerk of the court, and shall be retained by the clerk, together with the original complaint, as a portion of the record of the case.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-21-21