Mass. General Laws c.221D § 2

Civil arrests in courthouses, requirements and restrictions

This is an unofficial version of a Massachusetts General Law.

Updates

Added by St. 2026, c. 163, § 12, effective November 3, 2026

Section 2

(a)

No law enforcement officer or other employee or representative of a law enforcement agency shall make a civil arrest of an individual present at a courthouse unless such law enforcement officer, employee or representative: (i) is acting in their official capacity; and (ii) has provided documentation to a designated judge, justice or judicial magistrate sitting in the courthouse demonstrating that the individual to be arrested is the subject of a judicial warrant or judicial order authorizing civil arrest. The designated judge, justice or judicial magistrate shall promptly review such documentation.

(b)

A civil arrest shall not be made by a law enforcement officer or other representative of a law enforcement agency in a courtroom.

Last updated:	August 5, 2026