{ "batch": "801-rhode-island-obscenity-and-distribution", "articles": [ { "id": "learn_r801_rhode_island_obscenity_and_distribution_ri_anchorsite", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Rhode Island: statutory code index", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Rhode Island's general laws are published on the official General Assembly web server at webserver.rilegislature.gov under a statutes index page listing titles including Title 11 Criminal Offenses.", "body": "Rhode Island's general laws are published on the official General Assembly web server at webserver.rilegislature.gov under a statutes index page listing titles including Title 11 Criminal Offenses.\n\nWhat State of Rhode Island General Assembly actually says:\n\n“TITLE 1 Aeronautics”\n\nNote: Anchor record for Rhode Island statutory code index.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/", "last_verified": "2026-10-15", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "State of Rhode Island General Assembly", "evidence_quote": "TITLE 1 Aeronautics", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "801-rhode-island-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Rhode Island", "topic": "statutory code index", "applies_to_country": "*", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "choosing", "region": [ "us-ri" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "failed", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "hollow_body", "placeholder_quote_too_short", "strong_label_on_weak_content" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r801_rhode_island_obscenity_and_distribution_ri_statute_11_31_1_penalty", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Rhode Island: obscenity definition statute", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Under Rhode Island law, any person who willfully or knowingly promotes obscene material for commercial gain is punishable by a fine of $100 to $1,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.", "body": "Under Rhode Island law, any person who willfully or knowingly promotes obscene material for commercial gain is punishable by a fine of $100 to $1,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.\n\nWhat State of Rhode Island General Assembly actually says:\n\n“Every person who will fully or knowingly promotes for the purpose of commercial gain within the community any show, motion picture, performance, photograph, book, magazine, or other material which is obscene shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment for not more than two (2) years, or both.”\n\nNote: Penalty clause for circulating obscene publications and shows under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-31-1.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE11/11-31/11-31-1.HTM", "last_verified": "2026-10-15", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "State of Rhode Island General Assembly", "evidence_quote": "Every person who will fully or knowingly promotes for the purpose of commercial gain within the community any show, motion picture, performance, photograph, book, magazine, or other material which is obscene shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment for not more than two (2) years, or both.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "801-rhode-island-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Rhode Island", "topic": "obscenity definition statute", "applies_to_country": "*", "tags": { "lane": "explicit_solo", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-ri" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content", "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "explicit_solo" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r801_rhode_island_obscenity_and_distribution_ri_statute_11_31_1_criteria", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Rhode Island: obscenity definition statute", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] To determine whether material is obscene under Rhode Island law, the trier of fact must find that the average person applying community standards finds the work appeals to prurient interest, depicts patently offensive sexual conduct, and lacks serious literary, artistic, educational, political, or scientific value.", "body": "To determine whether material is obscene under Rhode Island law, the trier of fact must find that the average person applying community standards finds the work appeals to prurient interest, depicts patently offensive sexual conduct, and lacks serious literary, artistic, educational, political, or scientific value.\n\nWhat State of Rhode Island General Assembly actually says:\n\n“(1) In determining whether or not a show, motion picture, performance, photograph, book, magazine, or other material is obscene the trier of the fact must find: (i) That the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest; (ii) That the work taken as a whole, clearly depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by this chapter; and (iii) That the work, taken as a whole, clearly lacks serious literary, artistic, educational, political, or scientific value.”\n\nNote: Three-prong obscenity test under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-31-1(b)(1).", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE11/11-31/11-31-1.HTM", "last_verified": "2026-10-15", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "State of Rhode Island General Assembly", "evidence_quote": "(1) In determining whether or not a show, motion picture, performance, photograph, book, magazine, or other material is obscene the trier of the fact must find: (i) That the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest; (ii) That the work taken as a whole, clearly depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by this chapter; and (iii) That the work, taken as a whole, clearly lacks serious literary, artistic, educational, political, or scientific value.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "801-rhode-island-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Rhode Island", "topic": "obscenity definition statute", "applies_to_country": "*", "tags": { "lane": "explicit_solo", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-ri" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content", "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "explicit_solo" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r801_rhode_island_obscenity_and_distribution_ri_statute_11_31_1_sexual_conduct", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Rhode Island: obscenity definition statute", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Rhode Island law defines sexual conduct for obscenity offenses to include actual or simulated sexual intercourse, sado-masochistic abuse, masturbation, excretory functions, and lewd exhibitions of the genitals.", "body": "Rhode Island law defines sexual conduct for obscenity offenses to include actual or simulated sexual intercourse, sado-masochistic abuse, masturbation, excretory functions, and lewd exhibitions of the genitals.\n\nWhat State of Rhode Island General Assembly actually says:\n\n“(8) “Sexual conduct” means: (i) An act of sexual intercourse, normal or perverted, actual or simulated, including genital-genital, anal-genital, or oral-genital intercourse, whether between human beings or between a human being and an animal. (ii) Sado-masochistic abuse, meaning flagellation or torture by or upon a person in an act of apparent sexual stimulation or gratification. (iii) Masturbation, excretory functions, and lewd exhibitions of the genitals.”\n\nNote: Definition of sexual conduct under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-31-1(b)(8).", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE11/11-31/11-31-1.HTM", "last_verified": "2026-10-15", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "State of Rhode Island General Assembly", "evidence_quote": "(8) “Sexual conduct” means: (i) An act of sexual intercourse, normal or perverted, actual or simulated, including genital-genital, anal-genital, or oral-genital intercourse, whether between human beings or between a human being and an animal. (ii) Sado-masochistic abuse, meaning flagellation or torture by or upon a person in an act of apparent sexual stimulation or gratification. (iii) Masturbation, excretory functions, and lewd exhibitions of the genitals.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "801-rhode-island-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Rhode Island", "topic": "obscenity definition statute", "applies_to_country": "*", "tags": { "lane": "explicit_solo", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-ri" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content", "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "explicit_solo" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r801_rhode_island_obscenity_and_distribution_ri_statute_11_31_10_minors", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Rhode Island: harmful-to-minors provision", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Under Rhode Island law, willfully or knowingly selling, distributing, or displaying indecent publications, pictures, or articles containing explicit representations of sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or nudity to persons under eighteen is punishable by a fine of $100 to $1,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.", "body": "Under Rhode Island law, willfully or knowingly selling, distributing, or displaying indecent publications, pictures, or articles containing explicit representations of sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or nudity to persons under eighteen is punishable by a fine of $100 to $1,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.\n\nWhat State of Rhode Island General Assembly actually says:\n\n“(a) Every person who shall willfully or knowingly engage in the business of selling, lending, giving away, showing, advertising for sale, or distributing to any person under the age of eighteen (18) years, has in their possession with intent to engage in that business or to otherwise offer for sale or commercial distribution to any person under the age of eighteen (18) years, or who shall display at newsstands or any other business establishment frequented by persons under the age of eighteen (18) years or where persons under the age of eighteen (18) years are or may be invited as a part of the general public, any motion picture, any still picture, photograph, or any book, pocket book, pamphlet, or magazine of which the cover or content consists of explicit representations of “sexual conduct”, “sexual excitement”, “nudity” and which is indecent for minors or which is predominantly made up of descriptions of “sexual conduct”, “sexual excitement”, “nudity” and which is indecent, shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment for not more than two (2) years, or both.”\n\nNote: Harmful to minors distribution provision under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-31-10(a).", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE11/11-31/11-31-10.HTM", "last_verified": "2026-10-15", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "State of Rhode Island General Assembly", "evidence_quote": "(a) Every person who shall willfully or knowingly engage in the business of selling, lending, giving away, showing, advertising for sale, or distributing to any person under the age of eighteen (18) years, has in their possession with intent to engage in that business or to otherwise offer for sale or commercial distribution to any person under the age of eighteen (18) years, or who shall display at newsstands or any other business establishment frequented by persons under the age of eighteen (18) years or where persons under the age of eighteen (18) years are or may be invited as a part of the general public, any motion picture, any still picture, photograph, or any book, pocket book, pamphlet, or magazine of which the cover or content consists of explicit representations of “sexual conduct”, “sexual excitement”, “nudity” and which is indecent for minors or which is predominantly made up of descriptions of “sexual conduct”, “sexual excitement”, “nudity” and which is indecent, shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment for not more than two (2) years, or both.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "801-rhode-island-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Rhode Island", "topic": "harmful-to-minors provision", "applies_to_country": "*", "tags": { "lane": "explicit_solo", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-ri" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content", "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "explicit_solo" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r801_rhode_island_obscenity_and_distribution_ri_statute_11_31_10_indecent_minors", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Rhode Island: harmful-to-minors provision", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Rhode Island law defines 'indecent for minors' as material appealing to minors' prurient interest in sex, patently offensive to prevailing adult community standards regarding suitability for minors, and clearly lacking serious literary, artistic, educational, political, or scientific value for minors.", "body": "Rhode Island law defines 'indecent for minors' as material appealing to minors' prurient interest in sex, patently offensive to prevailing adult community standards regarding suitability for minors, and clearly lacking serious literary, artistic, educational, political, or scientific value for minors.\n\nWhat State of Rhode Island General Assembly actually says:\n\n“(1) “Indecent for minors” means: (i) Appealing to the prurient interest in sex of minors; (ii) Taken as a whole is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community with respect to what is suitable material for minors; and (iii) Clearly lacking serious literary, artistic, educational, political, or scientific value for minors;”\n\nNote: Definition of indecent for minors under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-31-10(b)(1).", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE11/11-31/11-31-10.HTM", "last_verified": "2026-10-15", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "State of Rhode Island General Assembly", "evidence_quote": "(1) “Indecent for minors” means: (i) Appealing to the prurient interest in sex of minors; (ii) Taken as a whole is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community with respect to what is suitable material for minors; and (iii) Clearly lacking serious literary, artistic, educational, political, or scientific value for minors;", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "801-rhode-island-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Rhode Island", "topic": "harmful-to-minors provision", "applies_to_country": "*", "tags": { "lane": "explicit_solo", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-ri" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content", "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "explicit_solo" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r801_rhode_island_obscenity_and_distribution_ri_statute_11_31_16_defense", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Rhode Island: statute, regulation, legal duty", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Under Rhode Island law, it is an affirmative defense to prosecution under §§ 11-31-1 or 11-31-10 that the defendant was a bona fide school or public library, or an employee acting in accordance with library collection policies.", "body": "Under Rhode Island law, it is an affirmative defense to prosecution under §§ 11-31-1 or 11-31-10 that the defendant was a bona fide school or public library, or an employee acting in accordance with library collection policies.\n\nWhat State of Rhode Island General Assembly actually says:\n\n“In any prosecution arising under § 11-31-1 or § 11-31-10, it shall be an affirmative defense that the defendant was a bona fide school, or public library, or was a person acting in accordance with library collection policies pursuant to chapter 9 of title 29 and in the course of employment as an employee or official of such an organization.”\n\nNote: Affirmative defense for educational and public libraries under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-31-16.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE11/11-31/11-31-16.HTM", "last_verified": "2026-10-15", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "State of Rhode Island General Assembly", "evidence_quote": "In any prosecution arising under § 11-31-1 or § 11-31-10, it shall be an affirmative defense that the defendant was a bona fide school, or public library, or was a person acting in accordance with library collection policies pursuant to chapter 9 of title 29 and in the course of employment as an employee or official of such an organization.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "801-rhode-island-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Rhode Island", "topic": "statute, regulation, legal duty", "applies_to_country": "*", "tags": { "lane": "teaching", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-ri" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r801_rhode_island_obscenity_and_distribution_ri_statute_11_31_2_forfeiture", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Rhode Island: statute, regulation, legal duty", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Under Rhode Island law, obscene items seized under search warrant or produced in court are forfeited to the state and ordered destroyed upon final judgment, provided the claimant receives opportunity for a hearing on obscenity.", "body": "Under Rhode Island law, obscene items seized under search warrant or produced in court are forfeited to the state and ordered destroyed upon final judgment, provided the claimant receives opportunity for a hearing on obscenity.\n\nWhat State of Rhode Island General Assembly actually says:\n\n“Any obscene book, pamphlet, ballad, printed paper, or other thing mentioned in § 11-31-1 found by any officer in executing a search warrant or which shall be produced and brought into court shall be forfeited to the state. Further proceedings shall be had on them for their forfeiture as is prescribed by law in chapter 21 of title 12, and upon entry of final judgment of forfeiture the item shall be destroyed by order of the court. However, if any book, pamphlet, ballad, printed paper or other thing mentioned in § 11-31-1 is seized by any officer in executing a search warrant, it shall not be forfeited to the state unless the person, firm, corporation, or association claiming a proprietary interest in and to it or in whose possession it is found has been accorded the opportunity for a hearing on the question of whether it is obscene as provided by § 12-5-8.”\n\nNote: Forfeiture and destruction of obscene publications under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-31-2.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE11/11-31/11-31-2.HTM", "last_verified": "2026-10-15", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "State of Rhode Island General Assembly", "evidence_quote": "Any obscene book, pamphlet, ballad, printed paper, or other thing mentioned in § 11-31-1 found by any officer in executing a search warrant or which shall be produced and brought into court shall be forfeited to the state. Further proceedings shall be had on them for their forfeiture as is prescribed by law in chapter 21 of title 12, and upon entry of final judgment of forfeiture the item shall be destroyed by order of the court. However, if any book, pamphlet, ballad, printed paper or other thing mentioned in § 11-31-1 is seized by any officer in executing a search warrant, it shall not be forfeited to the state unless the person, firm, corporation, or association claiming a proprietary interest in and to it or in whose possession it is found has been accorded the opportunity for a hearing on the question of whether it is obscene as provided by § 12-5-8.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "801-rhode-island-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Rhode Island", "topic": "statute, regulation, legal duty", "applies_to_country": "*", "tags": { "lane": "explicit_solo", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-ri" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content", "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "explicit_solo" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r801_rhode_island_obscenity_and_distribution_ri_statute_11_31_13_injunction", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Rhode Island: statute, regulation, legal duty", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Under Rhode Island law, the attorney general may institute a civil action in superior court to enjoin violations of obscenity laws, entitling the defendant to a trial within one day and a decision within forty-eight hours after trial conclusion.", "body": "Under Rhode Island law, the attorney general may institute a civil action in superior court to enjoin violations of obscenity laws, entitling the defendant to a trial within one day and a decision within forty-eight hours after trial conclusion.\n\nWhat State of Rhode Island General Assembly actually says:\n\n“The attorney general, upon complaint being made to him or her under oath that any person is violating any of the provisions of §§ 11-31-1 and 11-31-12, may institute in his or her name as attorney general of the state of Rhode Island an action to enjoin the violation in a court of competent jurisdiction. The Rhode Island Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure shall apply to all such actions whenever possible. Any person against whom an action has been brought shall be entitled to a trial of the issues within one day after the joinder of issue and to a decision by the court within forty-eight (48) hours of the conclusion of the trial. No restraining orders or preliminary injunctions shall be issued under this section, and the hearing shall be upon the merits of the case. After the hearing, the court may restrain and/or enjoin any person, firm, corporation, or association from violating any of the provisions of §§ 11-31-1 and 11-31-12 with regard to whether criminal proceedings have already been or may be instituted.”\n\nNote: Attorney general injunctive proceedings under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-31-13.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE11/11-31/11-31-13.HTM", "last_verified": "2026-10-15", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "State of Rhode Island General Assembly", "evidence_quote": "The attorney general, upon complaint being made to him or her under oath that any person is violating any of the provisions of §§ 11-31-1 and 11-31-12, may institute in his or her name as attorney general of the state of Rhode Island an action to enjoin the violation in a court of competent jurisdiction. The Rhode Island Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure shall apply to all such actions whenever possible. Any person against whom an action has been brought shall be entitled to a trial of the issues within one day after the joinder of issue and to a decision by the court within forty-eight (48) hours of the conclusion of the trial. No restraining orders or preliminary injunctions shall be issued under this section, and the hearing shall be upon the merits of the case. After the hearing, the court may restrain and/or enjoin any person, firm, corporation, or association from violating any of the provisions of §§ 11-31-1 and 11-31-12 with regard to whether criminal proceedings have already been or may be instituted.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "801-rhode-island-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Rhode Island", "topic": "statute, regulation, legal duty", "applies_to_country": "*", "tags": { "lane": "explicit_solo", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-ri" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content", "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "explicit_solo" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r801_rhode_island_obscenity_and_distribution_ri_statute_11_31_1_community_standards", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Rhode Island: obscenity definition statute", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Rhode Island law defines 'community standards' for obscenity offenses as the geographical area of the state of Rhode Island.", "body": "Rhode Island law defines 'community standards' for obscenity offenses as the geographical area of the state of Rhode Island.\n\nWhat State of Rhode Island General Assembly actually says:\n\n“(2) “Community standards” means the geographical area of the state of Rhode Island.”\n\nNote: Definition of community standards under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-31-1(b)(2).", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE11/11-31/11-31-1.HTM", "last_verified": "2026-10-15", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "State of Rhode Island General Assembly", "evidence_quote": "(2) “Community standards” means the geographical area of the state of Rhode Island.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "801-rhode-island-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Rhode Island", "topic": "obscenity definition statute", "applies_to_country": "*", "tags": { "lane": "explicit_solo", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-ri" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content", "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "explicit_solo" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } } ] }