The last registered owner, or person having custody and control as authorized by the owner, of any motor vehicle who abandons it as defined by § 31-42-1 on any public or private property other than his or her own, without the permission of the owner or lessee of the property in cases of private property, shall be liable for all costs and expenses incurred by the owner, lessee, or the state or any municipality in the removal of the vehicle from public or private property. Failure to pay the expenses within thirty (30) days of written notice shall be punished by a fine upon conviction, not in excess of two hundred dollars ($200). Upon conviction the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall be notified and shall suspend the license and registration of the last registered owner of the abandoned vehicle until these expenses are paid.
History of Section.
P.L. 1965, ch. 23, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 445, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 401, § 2.