§ 59-2-6

In any personal action not on contract, which might be brought and prosecuted to judgment in a justice's court, if a verdict be found for the plaintiff, on an issue or otherwise, for less damages than $50, he shall not recover, in respect to such verdict, any costs, unless the court enter of record that the object of the action was to try a right besides the mere right to recover damages for the trespass or grievance in respect of which the action was brought, or that the said trespass or grievance was wilful or malicious.