R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-11-15: Liability for costs on failure to show license.

Every person selling or offering for sale as a hawker or peddler any goods, wares, or merchandise, who neglects or refuses for the space of ten (10) minutes to show a license then in force, and allow the license to be read after being requested by any inhabitant of the state, or any person having a license under this chapter to show his or her license, shall, if sued or prosecuted under this chapter, be adjudged to pay all the costs of the suit or prosecution, although it appears on trial that he or she had an issued license in force at the time of the alleged offense.