(a)  It shall be unlawful for any state or municipal law enforcement official, including department of correction officers, state marshals, capital police, or other peace officers who are empowered to enforce the provisions of this chapter, or any employee of a law enforcement agency to:

(1)  Offer for sale or sell any information pertaining to an ongoing investigation conducted by any law enforcement agency of a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter; or

(2)  Use for any unauthorized purpose or sell or destroy or remove from unlawful custody any of the evidence confiscated as a result of an arrest or seizure arising from the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 21-28-4.18

  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Department: means the department of health of this state. See Rhode Island General Laws 21-28-1.02
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Person: means any corporation, association, partnership, or one or more individuals. See Rhode Island General Laws 21-28-1.02
  • Sell: includes sale, barter, gift, transfer, or delivery in any manner to another, or to offer or agree to do the same. See Rhode Island General Laws 21-28-1.02
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.

(b)  Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a crime and upon conviction shall be imprisoned not less than ten (10) years, and may be imprisoned for a term of twenty (20) years. In all these cases, the justice imposing sentence shall impose a minimum sentence of ten (10) years imprisonment and may only impose a sentence less than that minimum if he or she finds that substantial and compelling circumstances exist which justify imposition of the alternative sentence. The finding may be based upon the character and background of the defendant, the cooperation of the defendant with law enforcement authorities, the nature and circumstances of the offense, and/or the nature and quality of the evidence presented at trial. If a sentence which is less than imprisonment for a term of ten (10) years is imposed, the trial justice shall set forth on the record the circumstances, which he or she found as justification for imposition of the lesser sentence.

History of Section.
P.L. 1988, ch. 386, § 1.