# R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-5: Penalty for violations relating to underage persons

> Rhode Island · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-5

## Section

- **Citation:** R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-5
- **Heading:** Penalty for violations relating to underage persons
- **Jurisdiction:** Rhode Island
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** RI Code / Title 3 / Chapter 3-8 / Section 3-8-5

## Text

Any person who sells or suffers to be sold or delivered any beverage to a person who has not reached his or her twenty-first (21st) birthday either for his or her own use or the use of his or her parents or any other person, or allows any person who has not reached his or her twenty-first (21st) birthday to drink beverages on premises licensed under this title or suffers or allows any persons who have not reached their eighteenth (18th) birthday to sell or serve any beverage on the premises shall for the first offense be subject to a fine of two hundred fifty dollars ($250); for the second offense, be subject to a fine of five hundred dollars ($500), and for the third and any subsequent offense, be subject to a fine of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750). In the event that there are no offenses in three (3) successive years from the date of the last offense, then the next offense shall be treated as a first offense. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent licensees from hiring any person who has reached his or her eighteenth birthday.

## Nearby sections

- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-1 § 3-8-1. Sales on Sundays and holidays €” Sales to underage persons, intoxicated persons, and persons of intemperate habits.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-2 § 3-8-2. Age restriction for bartenders.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-2.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-3 § 3-8-3. Suspension of license for employment of underage bartender.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-3.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-4 § 3-8-4. Drinking by or hiring of underage persons.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-4.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-5 § 3-8-5. Penalty for violations relating to underage persons.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-5.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-5.1 § 3-8-5.1. Compliance check.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-5.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-6 § 3-8-6. Unlawful drinking and misrepresentation by underage persons €” Identification cards for persons twenty-one and older.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-6.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-6.1 § 3-8-6.1. Identification cards for persons under the age of 21.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-6.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-6.2 § 3-8-6.2. Unlawful use of identification cards.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-6.2.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-6.3 § 3-8-6.3. Manufacture or distribution of fraudulent identification cards or licenses to operate a motor vehicle.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-6.3.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-9 § 3-8-9. Transportation of alcoholic beverages by underage persons.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-9.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-10 § 3-8-10. Possession of beverage by underage persons.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-10.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-11.1 § 3-8-11.1. Furnishing or procurement of alcoholic beverages for underage persons.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-11.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-11.2 § 3-8-11.2. Penalty for violation of § 3-8-11.1.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-11.2.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T3_C3-8_S3-8-5. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.