2014 -- S 2598

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- ASSAULTS

     

     Introduced By: Senators McCaffrey, Goodwin, and Ruggerio

     Date Introduced: March 04, 2014

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 11-5 of the General Laws entitled "Assaults" is hereby amended by

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adding thereto the following section:

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     11-5-17. Assault or battery for purpose of causing unconsciousness. – Any person

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who shall make an assault or battery, or both, by causing, or attempting to cause, another person

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to be rendered unconscious by a single punch, kick, or other singular striking motion to the head

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of such person for the purpose of bringing about the loss of consciousness of such person, or who

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shall knowingly assist, aid, abet, solicit, encourage, counsel, command, or conspire to coerce any

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person to commit such an act, shall be deemed to have committed a felony and shall be

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imprisoned for not more than three (3) years or fined not more than one thousand five hundred

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dollars ($1,500), or both.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- ASSAULTS

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     This act would provide that any person who shall commit an assault or battery for the

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purpose of causing unconsciousness, a so-called "knockout assault," would be deemed to have

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committed a felony, and would be imprisoned for not more than three (3) years, or fined not more

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than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500), or both.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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