R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-23-11: Violation required for criminal conviction.

No person shall be convicted or found liable in any criminal prosecution or at any other proceeding brought by or in behalf of the state, the director or the public to enjoin, suppress, prohibit, or punish air pollution unless he or she knowingly violated a rule or regulation or order of the director, issued under the authority conferred upon him or her by this chapter; provided, that nothing in this section shall be held to affect any civil right action or remedy of any person at law or in equity.