§ 21-28-4.15 - Employment of person under age eighteen (18).
SECTION 21-28-4.15
§ 21-28-4.15 Employment of person underage eighteen (18). – (a) It shall be unlawful for any person eighteen (18) years of age or older tohire, employ or use any person under eighteen (18) years of age who is at leastthree (3) years his or her junior to manufacture, transport, carry, sell,prepare for sale or offer for sale a controlled substance; provided, that theprovisions of this subsection shall not apply to individuals enrolled in apharmacy training program approved by the director.
(b) Any person who violates this section with respect to:
(1) A controlled substance classified in schedules I and II,except the substance classified as marijuana, is guilty of a crime and uponconviction shall be imprisoned for not less than fifteen (15) years and may beimprisoned for a term up to life and fined not more than five hundred thousanddollars ($500,000). In all these cases, the justice imposing sentence shallimpose a minimum sentence of fifteen (15) years imprisonment and may onlyimpose a sentence less than that minimum if he or she finds that substantialand compelling circumstances exist which justify imposition of the alternativesentence. The finding may be based upon the character and background of thedefendant, the cooperation of the defendant with law enforcement authorities,the nature and circumstances of the offense, and/or the nature and quality ofthe evidence presented at trial. If a sentence which is less than imprisonmentfor a term of fifteen (15) years is imposed, the trial justice shall set forthon the record the circumstances which he or she found as justification forimposition of the lesser sentence;
(2) A controlled substance classified in schedule III or IV,is guilty of a crime and upon conviction may be imprisoned for not more thantwenty (20) years or fined not more than forty thousand dollars ($40,000) orboth;
(3) A controlled substance classified in schedule V ormarijuana, is guilty of a crime and upon conviction may be imprisoned for notmore than one year or fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), orboth.