Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 12-21 - Recovery of Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures
Section 12-21-1. - Methods of recovering fines and forfeitures.

§ 12-21-1. Methods of recovering fines and forfeitures.
Unless otherwise specially provided:
(1) All fines of five hundred dollars ($500) and under shall be recovered by complaint and summons;
(2) All fines of upwards of five hundred dollars ($500), by indictment or information;
(3) All penalties and pecuniary forfeitures, by action of debt; and
(4) All forfeitures of personal property, by complaint and warrant or by information.
History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 288, § 1; C.P.A. 1905, § 1231; G.L. 1909, ch. 357, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 410, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 631, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 12-21-1; P.L. 1974, ch. 118, § 15; P.L. 1976, ch. 173, § 4.

Structure Rhode Island General Laws

Rhode Island General Laws

Title 12 - Criminal Procedure

Chapter 12-21 - Recovery of Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures

Section 12-21-1. - Methods of recovering fines and forfeitures.

Section 12-21-2. - Limitation of prosecutions.

Section 12-21-3. - Venue of actions based on penal statutes.

Section 12-21-4. - Jurisdiction of district and superior courts.

Section 12-21-5. - Action by town or city.

Section 12-21-6. - Commencement of period of neglect.

Section 12-21-7. - Residence of court member in city or town to be benefited.

Section 12-21-8. - Plea of general issue.

Section 12-21-9. - Commitment for failure to obey judgment or sentence.

Section 12-21-10. - Disposition of recoveries.

Section 12-21-11. - Quarterly reports and payments by district court.

Section 12-21-12. - Payment of costs taxable to cities or towns out of fines due.

Section 12-21-13. - Accounting by clerk on vacation of office.

Section 12-21-14. - Forfeiture for failure to account.

Section 12-21-15. - Access of city or town treasurer to district court records.

Section 12-21-16. - Payment of amounts due to the state.

Section 12-21-17. - Payment and accounting for fines due other than to state.

Section 12-21-18. - Payment of fine liquidated by labor.

Section 12-21-19. - Payment of fines to general treasurer — Accounting.

Section 12-21-20. - Order to pay costs and determination of ability to pay.

Section 12-21-21. - Guilty plea and payment of fine by person outside state.

Section 12-21-22. - Payment of fines due to person or corporation from proceeds of forfeited recognizance.

Section 12-21-23. - Seizure and retention of forfeited property.

Section 12-21-24. - Complaint or information asking forfeiture.

Section 12-21-25. - Issuance of warrant to take and detain forfeited property.

Section 12-21-26. - Notice of complaint or information.

Section 12-21-27. - Sale of property pending judgment on forfeiture.

Section 12-21-28. - Return of property to claimant on bond.

Section 12-21-29. - Trial and judgment.

Section 12-21-30. - Appeal from district court judgment of forfeiture.

Section 12-21-31. - Finality of superior court judgment.

Section 12-21-32. - Costs and damages on forfeiture action.

Section 12-21-33. - Suspension of operators’ license for failure to pay costs, fines, fees, or assessments.