As reported by Bryan Rourke in the June 1, 2011 edition of the Providence Journal, a South Kingstown man has been arrested for felony drug charges. During a search of a residence, police arrested the man and charged him with two (2) counts of delivery of a controlled substance, crack cocaine. Police also seized a vehicle at the home, which they believe was used to deliver the drugs.
Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws, 21-28-4.01, it shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture, deliver, or possess with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance.
(2) Any person who is not a drug addicted person, as defined in § 21-28-1.02(18), who violates this subsection with respect to a controlled substance classified in schedule I or II, except the substance classified as marijuana, is guilty of a crime and upon conviction may be imprisoned to a term up to life, or fined not more than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) nor less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or both.
(3) Where the deliverance as prohibited in this subsection shall be the proximate cause of death to the person to whom the controlled substance is delivered, it shall not be a defense that the person delivering the substance was at the time of delivery, a drug addicted person as defined in § 21-28-1.02(18).
(4) Any person, except as provided for in subdivision (2) of this subsection, who violates this subsection with respect to:
(i) A controlled substance classified in schedule I or II, is guilty of a crime and upon conviction may be imprisoned for not more than thirty (30) years, or fined not more than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) nor less than three thousand dollars ($3,000), or both;
(ii) A controlled substance classified in schedule III or IV, is guilty of a crime and upon conviction may be imprisoned for not more than twenty (20) years, or fined not more than forty thousand dollars ($40,000), or both; provided, with respect to a controlled substance classified in schedule III(d), upon conviction may be imprisoned for not more than five (5) years, or fined not more than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000), or both.
(iii) A controlled substance classified in schedule V, is guilty of a crime and upon conviction may be imprisoned for not more than one year, or fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or both.
Rhode Island law allows for the seizure and forfeiture of property used to commit crimes. The property can be kept by the police department or another state agency or the property can be sold and the proceeds are kept by the State. Pursuant to R.I.G.L. 21-28-5.04, the police can seize,
Any property, real or personal, including, but not limited to, vessels, vehicles, or aircraft, and money or negotiable instruments, securities, or other things of value or any property constituting, or derived from any proceeds, furnished or intended to be furnished by any person for the transportation of or in exchange for a controlled substance and which has been or is being used in violation of § 21-28-4.01(a) or (b) or in, upon or by means of which any violation of § 21-28-4.01(a) or (b) or § 21-28-4.01.1 or 21-28-4.01.2 has taken or is taking place, and all real property including any right, title, and interest in the whole of any lot or tract of land and any appurtenances or improvements which is used in the commission of a violation of § 21-28-4.01(a) or (b) or § 21-28-4.01.1 or 21-28-4.01.2, or which was purchased with funds obtained as a result of the commission of a violation of § 21-28-4.01(a) or (b) or § 21-28-4.01.1 or 21-28-4.01.2, shall be seized and forfeited; provided that no property or money, as enumerated in this subsection, used by any person shall be forfeited under the provisions of this chapter unless it shall appear that the owner of the property or money had knowledge, actual or constructive, and was a consenting party to the alleged illegal act. All moneys, coin and currency, found in close proximity to forfeitable controlled substances, to forfeitable drug manufacturing or distributing paraphernalia, or to forfeitable records of the importation, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances, are presumed to be unlawfully furnished in exchange for a controlled substance or used in violation of this chapter. The burden of proof is upon claimants of the property to rebut this presumption.
If you or a family member have been charged with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana or other drug related offenses, please allow attorney Robert H. Humphrey's reputation, experience and skill to successfully guide you through the legal process. Contact Robert H. Humphrey at 401-816-5862 or e-mail him at rhh@rhumphreylaw.com.