CHAPTER 300


97-H 5576
Effective Without the Governor's Signature
Jul. 8, 1997


AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- TRESPASS AND VANDALISM

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows

SECTION 1. Section 11-44-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-44 entitled "Trespass and Vandalism" is hereby amended to read as follows:

11-44-1. Vandalism -- Obstruction of lawful pursuits. -- (a) (As amended by P.L. 1995, ch. 167, Section 1) Every person who shall wilfully and maliciously or mischievously injure or destroy or write upon, paint, or otherwise deface the property of another, or obstruct the use of the property of another, or obstruct another in the prosecution of his or her lawful business or pursuits, in any manner, the punishment of which is not specifically provided for by statute, shall be guilty 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 to make restitution for the injury or damage caused. Every person convicted of a first offense under this section shall be required to perform up to one hundred (100) hours of public community service work, and for a second or subsequent conviction shall be required to perform up to two hundred (200) hours of public community service work. {ADD Provided, further that every person who shall willfully and maliciously or mischievously injure or destroy or write upon, paint or otherwise deface government property, or obstruct the use of said property, shall be punished in accordance with this statute. Jurisdiction for matters involving government property shall be concurrent with the district court or the respective city or town police/municipal court. ADD}

(b) Where the provisions of "The Domestic Violence Prevention Act", section 12-29-1 et seq., are applicable, the penalties for violation of this section shall also include the penalties as provided in section 12-29-5.

(c) (As added by P.L. 1995, ch. 89, Section 1 and P.L. 1995, ch. 221, Section 1.) Every person who is convicted of vandalism under this section shall be required to perform up to twenty (20) hours of community service work.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.


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