Rhode Island General Laws Title 31. Motor and Other Vehicles § 31-27-13. Nature of offenses--Penalty

(a) It is a civil violation for any person to violate any of the provisions of chapters 1 -- 27 or chapter 34 of this title, unless the violation is by these chapters or other law of this state declared to be a felony or a misdemeanor, or unless the offense is punishable by a fine of more than five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprisonment.

(b) Unless another penalty is provided by chapters 1 -- 27 or chapter 34 of this title, or by the laws of this state, every person convicted of a civil violation of the chapters shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500).

(c) Unless another penalty is provided by chapters 1 -- 27 or chapter 34 of this title or by the laws of this state, every person convicted of a misdemeanor violation of these chapters shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by both fine and imprisonment.