State Codes and Statutes
Statutes > Rhode-island > Title-6 > Chapter-6-27 > 6-27-7SECTION 6-27-7
§ 6-27-7 Civil and criminal penalties.– (a) Any creditor who in connection with any credit transaction willfullyimposes a finance charge in violation of § 6-27-4 or any regulation issuedunder § 6-27-4, shall be liable to the person in the amount of one hundreddollars ($100), or in an amount equal to twice the finance charge required bythe creditor in connection with the transaction, whichever is the greater,except that the liabilities shall not exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000) onany credit transaction. An action to recover the penalty may be brought by theperson within one year from the date of the occurrence of the violation, in anycourt of competent jurisdiction. In any action under this subsection in whichany person is entitled to a recovery, the creditor shall be liable forreasonable attorney's fees and court costs as determined by the court.
(b) Any person who willfully violates any provision of §6-27-4 or any regulation issued under § 6-27-4 shall be fined not morethan five hundred dollars ($500) or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
(c) Except as specified in subsection (a) of this section,nothing contained in this chapter or any regulation issued under this chaptershall affect the validity or enforceability of any contract or transaction.
(d) No punishment or penalty provided by this chapter shallapply to the United States or any agency of the United States, or to any state,any political subdivision of a state, or any agency of any state or politicalsubdivision.
