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209A Guideline 8:12A: Accord and Satisfaction Not Permitted

Part of the Guidelines of Judicial Practice: Abuse Prevention Proceedings.
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Guideline 8:12A

Disposition pursuant to G.L. c. 276, § 55 is not permitted to resolve violations of abuse prevention orders or any other crime involving domestic abuse.

Commentary

General Laws c. 276, § 55 was amended by An Act Relative to Domestic Violence, c. 260 of the Acts of 2014, effective August 8, 2014, to exclude violations of abuse prevention orders and any other crime involving abuse as defined by G.L. c. 209A, § 1 from the misdemeanor offenses that can be disposed of by way of an accord and satisfaction. This amendment supersedes Commonwealth v. Guzman, 446 Mass. 344, 348 (2006); a judge no longer has discretion to dismiss such cases pursuant to an accord and satisfaction agreement.

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Last updated: October 20, 2025

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