In Massachusetts, General Offenses cover a broad range of criminal activities, from involvement as an Accessory Before the Fact (G.L. c. 274 § 2) to Attempt (G.L. c. 274, § 6), Conspiracy (G.L. c. 274, § 7), and Compounding or Concealing a Felony (G.L. c. 268, § 36). These statutes emphasize accountability for actions taken before, during, or after a crime, including those related to corporate criminal responsibility and aiding or abetting criminal activities.
In the realm of Motor Vehicle and OUI Offenses, Massachusetts law addresses various driving-related crimes, including severe penalties for Homicide by a Motor Vehicle (G.L. c. 90 § 24G), both as a felony and a misdemeanor. Other offenses include Operating After Suspension or Revocation of a License (G.L. c. 90, § 23), Operating Under the Influence (G.L. c. 90, § 24(1)), and Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Property Damage or Personal Injury (G.L. c. 90, § 24). Additionally, laws governing boating include Operating a Boat While Under the Influence (G.L. c. 90B, § 8).
These laws serve to regulate safe vehicle and boat operation while holding individuals accountable for violations that may endanger others or obstruct justice.
In Massachusetts, there are numerous offenses against the person, each with specific legal statutes designed to protect individuals from harm and abuse. For example, offenses such as Affray (G.L. c. 277, § 39), Assault (G.L. c. 265, § 13A), and Assault and Battery (G.L. c. 265, § 13A) cover unlawful physical confrontations and violent actions that harm others. Certain forms of assault, such as Assault and Battery causing serious bodily injury (G.L. c. 265, § 13A(b)(i)) or Assault and Battery on a pregnant woman (G.L. c. 265, § 13A(b)(ii)), carry enhanced penalties due to the severity or specific nature of the offense.
Additional protections are provided to vulnerable populations, including Assault and Battery on an Elder or Disabled Person (G.L. c. 265, § 13K), and Assault and Battery on a Child under 14 (G.L. c. 265, § 13J). These laws impose stricter
consequences for harm inflicted on individuals who are deemed to require additional safeguards due to age, disability, or other factors.
Other statutes, like Strangulation and Suffocation (G.L. c. 265, § 15D), and Indecent Assault and Battery (G.L. c. 265, § 13H), address more specific forms of physical and sexual violence, ensuring that the law encompasses a wide range of potential harms.
Laws such as Kidnapping (G.L. c. 265, § 26), Enticing a Child under 16 (G.L. c. 265, § 26C), and statutes governing secret surveillance (G.L. c. 272, § 105) also reflect the state’s commitment to addressing threats to personal safety and privacy, including protections against coercion, abduction, and unlawful recording.
These legal provisions collectively form a robust framework aimed at safeguarding the well-being of individuals across the Commonwealth, ensuring that those who commit offenses against the person face appropriate consequences under the law.
In Massachusetts, offenses against the person are serious crimes that carry significant legal consequences. These statutes cover a wide range of unlawful actions that threaten or harm individuals. For example, Affray (G.L. c. 277, § 39) addresses public brawling, while Assault (G.L. c. 265, § 13A) and Assault and Battery (G.L. c. 265, § 13A) involve physical attacks on others. Enhanced penalties apply to more severe cases, such as Assault and Battery Causing Serious Bodily Injury (G.L. c. 265, § 13A(b)(i)), Assault on a Pregnant Woman (G.L. c. 265, § 13A(b)(ii)), and Assault on a Police Officer or Public Employee (G.L. c. 265, § 13D).
Massachusetts also prioritizes protecting vulnerable populations, with laws addressing crimes like Assault and Battery on an Elder or Disabled Person (G.L. c. 265, § 13K) and Indecent Assault and Battery on a Child under Fourteen (G.L. c. 265, § 13B). Additionally, crimes involving weapons, such as Assault and Battery by Means of a Dangerous Weapon (G.L. c. 265, § 15A), carry heavier penalties, especially when committed against protected individuals like children, pregnant women, or those covered by abuse prevention orders.
Other statutes address more specific and serious offenses, including Strangulation and Suffocation (G.L. c. 265, § 15D), Kidnapping (G.L. c. 265, § 26), and crimes involving secret surveillance or recording, like Secretly Photographing or Videotaping a Nude or Partially Nude Person (G.L. c. 272, § 105). These laws are designed to ensure the safety, dignity, and privacy of individuals across the Commonwealth.
