R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-14.3-9: Penalty for violations — General.

(a) Any person, firm, or corporation, subject to the provisions of this chapter and/or any rules and regulations promulgated under it, who shall knowingly or willfully cause to be done any act prohibited by this chapter, or who shall be guilty of any violation of this chapter or the rules and regulations shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or both for each offense.

(b) The administrator of the division may, in their discretion, in lieu of seeking criminal sanctions, and/or in lieu of revoking or suspending the carrier’s operating authority as conferred under this chapter, impose upon its regulated common carriers an administrative civil penalty (“fine”). This fine shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation under this chapter or the division’s rules and regulations promulgated under this chapter.