State Codes and Statutes
Statutes > Rhode-island > Title-11 > Chapter-11-44 > 11-44-1SECTION 11-44-1
§ 11-44-1 Vandalism – Obstruction oflawful pursuits. – (a) Every person who shall willfully and maliciously or mischievously injure ordestroy or write upon, paint, or otherwise deface the property of another, orobstruct the use of the property of another, or obstruct another in theprosecution of his or her lawful business or pursuits, in any manner, thepunishment of which is not specifically provided for by statute, shall beguilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not exceeding one thousand dollars($1,000) and/or be imprisoned not exceeding one year, and shall be liable tomake restitution for the injury or damage caused. Every person convicted of afirst offense under this section shall be required to perform up to one hundred(100) hours of public community restitution work, and for a second orsubsequent conviction shall be required to perform up to two hundred (200)hours of public community restitution work. Provided, further that every personwho shall willfully and maliciously or mischievously injure or destroy or writeupon, paint or otherwise deface government property, or obstruct the use ofthat property, shall be punished in accordance with this statute. Jurisdictionfor matters involving government property shall be concurrent with the districtcourt or the respective city or town police or municipal court.
(b) Where the provisions of The Domestic Violence PreventionAct, chapter 29 of title 12, are applicable, the penalties for violation ofthis section shall also include the penalties as provided in § 12-29-5.
