Bailee Plates

Defendant appealed decision of the trial judge sustaining several charges of violating § 31-3-21 (improper use of bailee plates). Defendant argued that the trial judge misinterpreted § 31-4-7, which governs the use of bailee plates for repossessed vehicles. The plain language of § 31-4-7 restricts the use of bailee plates to transporting a repossessed vehicle “to a garage or warehouse, or for the purpose of demonstrating or selling” the vehicle. As such, the Appeals Panel held that the trial judge’s decision was proper because Defendant was found to be operating the vehicle for a personal use. Accordingly, the Appeals Panel affirmed the decision of the trial judge.

State of Rhode Island v. Eric Chase, No. 17-0024 (July 18, 2018).pdf