§ 45-1-50 — Defrauding keeper of hotel, motel, inn, boarding house, rooming house, campground, cafe, or restaurant.

(A) A person who: (1) obtains food, lodging or other service, or accommodation at any hotel, motel, inn, boarding or rooming house, campground, cafe, or restaurant and intentionally absconds without paying for it; or (2) while a guest at any hotel, motel, inn, boarding or rooming house, campground, cafe, or restaurant, intentionally defrauds the keeper in a transaction arising out of the relationship as guest, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than six months, or both. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 22-3-540, 22-3-545, 22-3-550, and 14-25-65, an offense punishable under this subsection may be tried in magistrates or municipal court. (B) For purposes of this section prima facie evidence of intent to defraud is shown by: (1) the second refusal of payment upon presentation when due and the return unpaid of any bank check or order for the payment of money given by a guest to any hotel, motel, inn, boarding or rooming house, campground, cafe, or restaurant in payment of an obligation arising out of the relationship as guest. These facts also are prima facie evidence of an intent to abscond without payment; (2) the failure or refusal of any guest at a hotel, motel, inn, boarding or rooming house, campground, cafe, or restaurant to pay, upon written demand, the established charge for food, lodging or other service, or accommodation; (3) the giving of false information on a lodging registration form or the presenting of false or fictitious credentials for the purpose of obtaining lodging or credit; (4) the drawing, endorsing, issuing, or delivering to any hotel, motel, inn, boarding or lodging house, campground, cafe, or restaurant of any check, draft, or order for payment of money upon any bank or other depository in payment for established charges for food, lodging, or other service or accommodation, knowing at the time that there is not sufficient credit with the drawee bank or other depository for payment in full of the instrument drawn. (C) For purposes of this section, campground" means land and facilities of camp character organized to provide a temporary outdoor living experience for individuals or groups which has membership affiliation in recognized national and state campground organizations or which is listed in a guidebook published with support in part by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism.

Legislative History

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 35-5; 1952 Code SECTION 35-5; 1942 Code SECTIONS 1219, 7223; 1932 Code SECTIONS 1219, 7223; Civ. C. '22 SECTION 3936; Cr. C. '22 SECTION 107; Civ. C. '12 SECTION 2617; Cr. C. '12 SECTION 300; 1902 (23) 1021; 1908 (25) 1085; 1911 (27) 150; 1917 (30) 165; 1939 (41) 115; 1940 (41) 1885; 1977 Act No. 84 SECTION 1; 1999 Act No. 81, SECTION 1, eff June 11, 1999; 2010 Act No. 273, SECTION 16.A.A, eff June 2, 2010.