Law Library  Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure

Table of Contents

• Rule 1: Title; scope 
• Rule 2: Purpose; construction; definition of terms 
• Rule 3: Complaint and indictment; waiver of indictment; probable cause hearing 
• Rule 3.1: Determination of probable cause for detention 
• Rule 4: Form and contents of complaint or indictment; amendment 
• Rule 5: The grand jury 
• Rule 6: Summons to appear; arrest warrant 
• Rule 7: Initial appearance and arraignment 
• Rule 8: Assignment of counsel 
• Rule 9: Joinder of offenses or defendants 
• Rule 10: Continuances 
• Rule 11: Pretrial conference and pretrial hearing 
• Rule 12: Pleas and plea agreements 
• Rule 13: Pretrial motions 
• Rule 14: Pretrial discovery (effective until March 1, 2025) 
• Rule 14: Pretrial discovery from the prosecution (effective March 1, 2025) 
• Rule 14.1: Pretrial reciprocal discovery from the defense (effective March 1, 2025) 
• Rule 14.2: Pretrial discovery procedures (effective March 1, 2025) 
• Rule 14.3: Pretrial discovery of affirmative defenses; self defense and first aggressor (effective March 1, 2025) 
• Rule 14.4: Pretrial discovery of mental health issues (effective March 1, 2025) 
• Rule 15: Interlocutory appeal 
• Rule 16: Dismissal by the prosecution 
• Rule 17: Summonses for witnesses 
• Rule 18: Presence of defendant 
• Rule 19: Trial by jury or by the court 
• Rule 20: Trial jurors 
• Rule 21: Sequestration of witnesses 
• Rule 22: Objections 
• Rule 23: Stipulations 
• Rule 24: Opening statements; arguments; instructions to jury 
• Rule 25: Motion required for finding of not guilty 
• Rule 26: Requests for rulings 
• Rule 27: Verdict 
• Rule 28: Judgment 
• Rule 29: Revision or revocation of disposition 
• Rule 30: Postconviction relief 
• Rule 31: Stay of execution; relief pending review automatic expiration of stay 
• Rule 32: Filing and service of papers 
• Rule 33: Counsel for defendants indigent or indigent but able to contribute 
• Rule 34: Report 
• Rule 35: Depositions to perpetuate testimony 
• Rule 36: Case management 
• Rule 37: Transfer of cases 
• Rule 38: Disability of judge 
• Rule 39: Records of foreign proceedings and notice of foreign law 
• Rule 40: Proof of official records 
• Rule 41: Interpreters and experts 
• Rule 42: Clerical mistakes 
• Rule 43: Summary contempt proceedings 
• Rule 44: Contempt 
• Rule 45: Disruptive defendant 
• Rule 46: Time 
• Rule 47: Special magistrates 
• Rule 48: Sanctions 
• Rule 49: Restitution (effective March 1, 2025)