§ 12-21-1 Methods of recovering fines and forfeitures
§ 12-21-2 Limitation of prosecutions
§ 12-21-3 Venue of actions based on penal statutes
§ 12-21-4 Jurisdiction of district and superior courts
§ 12-21-5 Action by town or city
§ 12-21-6 Commencement of period of neglect
§ 12-21-7 Residence of court member in city or town to be benefited
§ 12-21-8 Plea of general issue
§ 12-21-9 Commitment for failure to obey judgment or sentence
§ 12-21-10 Disposition of recoveries
§ 12-21-11 Quarterly reports and payments by district court
§ 12-21-12 Payment of costs taxable to cities or towns out of fines due
§ 12-21-13 Accounting by clerk on vacation of office
§ 12-21-14 Forfeiture for failure to account
§ 12-21-15 Access of city or town treasurer to district court records
§ 12-21-16 Payment of amounts due to the state
§ 12-21-17 Payment and accounting for fines due other than to state
§ 12-21-18 Payment of fine liquidated by labor
§ 12-21-19 Payment of fines to general treasurer – Accounting
§ 12-21-20 Order to pay costs and determination of ability to pay
§ 12-21-21 Guilty plea and payment of fine by person outside state
§ 12-21-22 Payment of fines due to person or corporation from proceeds of forfeited recognizance
§ 12-21-23 Seizure and retention of forfeited property
§ 12-21-24 Complaint or information asking forfeiture
§ 12-21-25 Issuance of warrant to take and detain forfeited property
§ 12-21-26 Notice of complaint or information
§ 12-21-27 Sale of property pending judgment on forfeiture
§ 12-21-28 Return of property to claimant on bond
§ 12-21-29 Trial and judgment
§ 12-21-30 Appeal from district court judgment of forfeiture
§ 12-21-31 Finality of superior court judgment
§ 12-21-32 Costs and damages on forfeiture action
§ 12-21-33 Suspension of operators’ license for failure to pay costs, fines, fees, or assessments
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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws > Chapter 12-21 - Recovery of Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • 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.
  • in writing: include printing, engraving, lithographing, and photo-lithographing, and all other representations of words in letters of the usual form. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-16
  • Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
  • person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6
  • Personal property: All property that is not real property.
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
  • Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
  • 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
  • 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
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.