# R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-30-8: Entry by police officers of premises €” Commanding departure of persons found

> Rhode Island · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T11_C11-30_S11-30-8

## Section

- **Citation:** R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-30-8
- **Heading:** Entry by police officers of premises €” Commanding departure of persons found
- **Jurisdiction:** Rhode Island
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** RI Code / Title 11 / Chapter 11-30 / Section 11-30-8

## Text

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.

## Nearby sections

- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-30-1 § 11-30-1. Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T11_C11-30_S11-30-1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-30-2 § 11-30-2. Unlicensed manufacture or distribution of intoxicating liquor.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T11_C11-30_S11-30-2.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-30-3 § 11-30-3. Penalty for common nuisance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T11_C11-30_S11-30-3.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-30-4 § 11-30-4. Penalty for nuisance involving intoxicating liquors.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T11_C11-30_S11-30-4.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-30-5 § 11-30-5. Evidence as to intoxicating liquors.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T11_C11-30_S11-30-5.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-30-6 § 11-30-6. Annulment of lease by maintenance of nuisance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T11_C11-30_S11-30-6.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-30-7 § 11-30-7. Landlord€™s liability for nuisance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T11_C11-30_S11-30-7.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-30-8 § 11-30-8. Entry by police officers of premises €” Commanding departure of persons found.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T11_C11-30_S11-30-8.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-30-9 § 11-30-9. Officers commanding aid in execution.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T11_C11-30_S11-30-9.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-30-10 § 11-30-10. Unlawful sale of beverages by club or association.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T11_C11-30_S11-30-10.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-30-11 § 11-30-11. Injunction.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T11_C11-30_S11-30-11.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-30-12 § 11-30-12. Slaughterhouses, rendering plants, garbage plants, and brick kilns.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T11_C11-30_S11-30-12.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-30-13 § 11-30-13. Burning of decaying and waste substances.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T11_C11-30_S11-30-13.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T11_C11-30_S11-30-8. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.