Rhode Island General Laws 5-11-12. Arrest of violators – Detention of merchandise
Any state police officer, any police officer of any city or town who has probable cause to believe a person has violated the provisions of this chapter, and any deputy sheriff, town sergeant, or town constable within his or her precinct who has probable cause to believe a person has violated the provisions of this chapter, may arrest that person, and may also detain any goods, wares, or other merchandise that the arrested person has with him or her at the time of his or her arrest, for the purpose of hawking and peddling; and the arresting officer detaining the goods, wares, or merchandise shall be allowed a reasonable compensation for the safekeeping and care of the merchandise and property, to be taxed in the costs of prosecution and conviction for the offense.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 162, § 2; G.L. 1909, ch. 191, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 219, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 365, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 5-11-12; P.L. 1987, ch. 86, § 2; P.L. 2012, ch. 324, § 12; P.L. 2015, ch. 260, § 4; P.L. 2015, ch. 275, § 4.
Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 5-11-12
- Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6
- Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
- town: may be construed to include city; the words "town council" include city council; the words "town clerk" include city clerk; the words "ward clerk" include clerk of election district; the words "town treasurer" include city treasurer; and the words "town sergeant" include city sergeant. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-9