(a)  Any person or any member, officer, director, agent, or employee of any person, who knowingly violates or participates in the violation of any of the applicable provisions of this chapter, or any regulation promulgated under this chapter, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both. Each violation shall constitute a separate offense. Complaints under this chapter may be made by the director, or the director’s designee, and he or she shall not be required to give surety for costs. The attorney general shall prosecute all complaints under this chapter.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 19-14.2-14

  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6
  • Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.

(b)  Any contract of loan not invalid for any other reason, in the making or collecting of which any act has been done that constitutes a misdemeanor under this section, shall be voidable, at the discretion of the court, and the small loan lender shall have no right to collect or receive any principal, interest, fees, or charges.

History of Section.
P.L. 1995, ch. 82, § 54.