§ 11-30-8 — § 11-30-8. Entry by police officers of premises — Commanding departure of persons found.

§ 11-30-8. Entry by police officers of premises — Commanding departure of persons found.

The sheriffs of the several counties and their deputies, and the town sergeants, constables, and chiefs of police of the several towns and cities may, within their respective towns and counties, enter any house or building that they have cause to suspect to be inhabited for purposes of prostitution and lewdness, to be resorted to by persons of ill fame or by persons of dissolute, idle, or disorderly character, or in which they have reasonable cause to believe intoxicating liquors are sold in violation of law, or unlawful games are carried on or permitted, or in which they have reasonable cause to believe a common nuisance is kept or maintained. Upon entering the house or building, they may command all persons assembled there to immediately depart from the house or building. In the event of the neglect or refusal of any person so commanded to leave, they may arrest that person and hold him or her for a period not exceeding twenty-four (24) hours for prosecution. Every person who shall so refuse or neglect shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not exceeding twenty dollars ($20.00) or be imprisoned not exceeding thirty (30) days.

Legislative History

G.L. 1896, ch. 92, § 8; G.L. 1909, ch. 108, § 8; G.L. 1923, ch. 120, § 8; G.L. 1938, ch. 598, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 11-30-8; P.L. 2015, ch. 260, § 15; P.L. 2015, ch. 275, § 15.