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Mass. General Laws c.266

Crimes against property

This page links to the current, accurate version of each section of G.L. c.266.

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§ 1 Dwelling houses; burning or aiding in burning 
§ 2 Meeting house; burning or aiding in burning 
§ 5 Wood and other property; burning or aiding in burning 
§ 5A Attempts 
§ 7 Woods; wanton or reckless injury or destruction by fire 
§ 8 Injury by fire; negligent use 
§ 9 Injury by fire; negligent use in town; damages 
§ 10 Insured property; burning with intent to defraud 
§ 11 Fire alarm, engine or apparatus; injury before fire 
§ 12 Fire alarm, engine or apparatus; injury during fire to prevent alarm or extinction of fire 
§ 13 Fire engines; wanton or malicious injury 
§ 13A Duty of hotel manager to notify fire department and sound alarm; penalty 
§ 14 Burglary; armed; assault on occupants; weapons; punishment 
§ 15 Burglary; unarmed 
§ 16 Breaking and entering at night 
§ 16A Building, vessel or vehicle; breaking and entering with intent to commit misdemeanor 
§ 17 Entering without breaking at night; breaking and entering in day time; weapons; punishment 
§ 18 Dwelling house; entry at night; breaking and entering in day time; weapons; punishment 
§ 18A Entering dwelling house by false pretenses; intent to commit felony; larceny; punishment 
§ 19 Railroad car; breaking and entering 
§ 20 Stealing in building, ship or railroad car 
§ 20A Breaking and entering of trucks, tractors, trailers or freight containers 
§ 20B Stealing in trucks, tractors, trailers or freight containers 
§ 21 Stolen property; refusal to surrender 
§ 22 Poultry thieves; detention by owner; penalty 
§ 23 Embezzlement of property at fire; effect 
§ 24 Stealing at a fire; punishment 
§ 25 Larceny by stealing; punishment; victim sixty-five or older; minimum sentence for repeat offenders 
§ 27 Tools of contractors, builders or mechanics; stealing; penalty 
§ 27A Motor vehicle or trailer; removal or concealment to defraud insurer 

Amended by St.2018, c. 69, § 133, effective April 13, 2018

§ 28 Motor vehicle or trailer; theft or concealment; operation without owner's consent after revocation of license; penalty 

Amended by St.2018, c. 69, § 134, effective April 13, 2018

§ 29 Statement concerning theft; recovery of vehicles; restitution 

Amended by St.2018, c. 69, § 135, effective April 13, 2018

§ 29B Burning motor vehicle; owner's statement to fire department 
§ 30 Larceny; general provisions and penalties 

Amended by St.2018, c. 69, § 136-138, effective April 13, 2018

§ 30A Shoplifting; penalty; arrest without warrant 

Amended by St.2018, c. 69, § 139, effective April 13, 2018

§ 30B Unlawful distribution, possession, or deactivation or removal of theft detection shielding device; unlawful distribution or possession of theft detection device deactivator or remover; penalty 
§ 30C Possession, use, counterfeit, etc. of receipts, price ticket or universal product code label with intent to defraud; penalty 
§ 30D Organized retail crime; aggravated organized retail crime; leader of organized retail theft enterprise; penalty 
§ 31 Signature; obtaining under false pretenses 
§ 32 Fraudulent conversion of property by captain of vessel 
§ 33 Larceny; false pretences relating to contracts, banking transactions or credit 
§ 33A Obtaining computer services by fraud or misrepresentation; penalties 
§ 34 Larceny; inducement to part with property 
§ 35 Non-applicability of Secs. 30, 31 and 34 
§ 35A False material statements or omissions during or in connection with mortgage lending process; penalties; mitigating factors with respect to sentencing 
§ 37 Fraudulent checks, etc.; drawing or uttering 
§ 37A Misuse of credit cards; definitions 

Amended by St.2018, c. 69, § 140, effective April 13, 2018

§ 37B Misuse of credit cards; penalties; multiple possession, presumption; arrest 

Amended by St.2018, c. 69, § 141-142, effective April 13, 2018

§ 37C Fraudulent use of credit cards to obtain money, goods or services; false embossment of credit cards, multiple possession, presumption; arrest 

Amended by St.2018, c. 69, § 143-144, effective April 13, 2018

§ 37D Publishing credit card numbering or coding systems 
§ 37E Use of personal identification of another; identity fraud; penalty; restitution 

Amended by St.2018, c. 69, § 145, effective April 13, 2018

§ 38 Larceny; wrongful detention of money by carriers 
§ 38A Construction loan; misapplication 
§ 39 Wills; destruction or concealment 
§ 40 Common and notorious thief 
§ 41 Larceny of bicycles; second conviction 
§ 42 Larceny of paper designated for bank bills 
§ 43 Paper designated for bank bills; retention by printer with intent to pass 
§ 47 Dogs; wrongful removal of collar; penalty 
§ 48 Stolen goods; duty of arresting officers to secure 
§ 49 Burglarious instruments; making; possession; use 
§ 50 State treasury; fraud or embezzlement by employee 
§ 51 City, town or county officers; fraud or embezzlement 
§ 52 Bank officers and employees; fraud or embezzlement 
§ 53 Bank officers or employees; prosecution for fraud or embezzlement; evidence 
§ 53A Bank officers and employees; misconduct; penalty 
§ 54 Receipt of deposits by insolvent banks; penalty 
§ 55 Liquidating agent or receiver; embezzlement 
§ 56 Brokers or agents; embezzlement 
§ 57 Fiduciaries; embezzlement 
§ 58 Larceny; embezzlement from voluntary association  
§ 59 Simple larceny; embezzlement from voluntary association 
§ 60 Stolen goods; buying, receiving or aiding in concealment; penalty 

Amended by St.2018, c. 69, §§ 146-148, effective April 13, 2018

§ 60A Stolen trade secrets; buying or selling 
§ 60B Venue for charge and prosecution of crimes committed in different counties or territorial jurisdiction of different courts 
§ 61 Stolen property; restitution; effect 
§ 62 Stolen goods; common receiver 
§ 63 Unlawful taking or use of transportation media 
§ 64 Fraudulent hiring of media of transportation 
§ 65 Stock; unauthorized issue 
§ 66 Stock; fraudulent issue or transfer 
§ 67 Corporate books; false entries with intent to defraud 
§ 67A Departments, agencies and public instrumentalities; false statements, etc. in procurement of supplies; penalty 
§ 67B Presentation of false claims 
§ 67C Capital facility construction projects, etc.; false entries in records; penalties 
§ 68 Corporate books as evidence 
§ 69 Insignia of societies; unlawful use 
§ 69A Fraudulent use of labor union seal, trademark or insignia 
§ 70 Insignia of veteran organizations; unlawful use 
§ 71 Signature, money or membership; obtaining under false pretences 
§ 71A Individuals and corporations; false use of names of benevolent organizations 
§ 72 Fraternal names; use in publication 
§ 73 Obtaining goods under false pretences 
§ 74 Corporate credit; fraudulent use 
§ 75 Obtaining property by trick 
§ 75A Gambling devices and vending machines; fraudulent use 
§ 75B Slugs; manufacture and sale 
§ 75C Gift certificates; expiration dates; failure to redeem 
§ 75D Imposition of certain fees reducing total value amount of gift certificate; penalty 
§ 75E Printed notice required for certain fees associated with gift certificates; penalty for violation 
§ 75F Deduction of gratuity from gift certificate without consent; penalty 
§ 76 Gross fraud or cheat at common law; punishment 
§ 77 Sterling and coin silver; contents; sale; penalty 
§ 78 Articles made of gold; false marking; prohibition 
§ 79 Imitation of furs; false representation; prohibition 
§ 80 Encumbered land; conveyance without notice 
§ 81 Attached land; conveyance without notice 
§ 82 Concealment of mortgaged personalty; use of rented personalty for illegal sale of liquor 
§ 83 Personalty; sale by mortgagor without consent 
§ 84 Personalty; sale by hirer without consent 
§ 85 Collateral security; sale before debt due 
§ 86 Hired property; buying or receiving with intent to defraud 
§ 87 Larceny of leased or rented property 
§ 87A Stolen leased or rented motor vehicles; report; dissemination of information by police 
§ 88 Consignee or factor; fraudulent deposit or pledge of property 
§ 89 Degrees; pretending to hold or conferring without authority; use of designation ''university'' or ''college'' 
§ 90 Endorsement or approval; penalty for false claim 
§ 91 Untrue and misleading advertisements; prohibitions 
§ 91A Merchandise, commodities and service; advertisement; penalty 
§ 91B Deceptive advertising of merchandise for sale; injunction 
§ 92 False or exaggerated statements; making or publishing; prohibition 
§ 92A Motor vehicles; sale in certain condition; written disclosure on bill of sale; penalty 
§ 93 Animals; obtaining or giving false pedigree 
§ 94 Boundary monuments and miscellaneous markers; malicious destruction 
§ 95 Historical monuments; malicious destruction or injury 
§ 96 State building; defacement or injury 
§ 97 County buildings; defacement 
§ 98 Schoolhouse or church; defacement or injury 
§ 98A Public park or playground equipment; destruction, defacement or injury 
§ 99 Libraries; definitions 
§ 99A Libraries; theft of materials or property; destruction of records 
§ 100 Libraries; mutilation or destruction of materials or property 
§ 101 Definitions applicable to Secs. 101 to 102D 
§ 102 Possession or control of incendiary device or material; possession of hoax device or material; penalty 
§ 102A Throwing, secreting, launching or placing of incendiary device; intent; punishment 
§ 102B Malicious explosion 
§ 102C Biological, chemical, or nuclear weapon or delivery system; possession; punishment 
§ 102D Notice of seizure of explosive or incendiary device resulting from a violation of Secs. 102 to 102C; restitution 
§ 103 Oil of vitriol, or other substances; throwing into building or vessel 
§ 104 Buildings; destruction or injury 
§ 104A Goal posts; penalty for destruction 
§ 104B Research animals; unauthorized removal 
§ 105 Stone walls or fences; unauthorized removal 
§ 106 Ice ponds; injury 
§ 107 Bridge or canal; injury 
§ 108 Vessel; destruction to injure or defraud owner or insurer; punishment; restitution 

Amended by St.2018, c. 69, §§ 149-150, effective April 13, 2018

§ 109 Vessel; fitting out with intent to destroy 
§ 110 False invoice of cargo; intent to defraud insurer 
§ 111 False affidavit or protest; penalty 
§ 111A Insurance policies; penalty for fraudulent claims 
§ 111B Motor vehicle insurance policies; penalty for fraudulent claims 

Amended by St.2018, c. 69, § 151, effective April 13, 2018

§ 111C Fraudulently obtaining benefits under insurance contract; runners; punishment 
§ 112 Domestic animals; malicious killing or injury 
§ 113 Timber, wood and shrubs; wilful cutting and destruction on land of another 
§ 114 Trees and fences; malicious injury 
§ 115 Trespass in orchards and gardens 
§ 116A Protection of certain flowers 
§ 117 Orchards and gardens; entry with intent to injure or destroy 
§ 118 Domestic animals; trespass on land 
§ 119 Pests; bringing into state; penalty; exception 
§ 120 Entry upon private property after being forbidden as trespass; prima facie evidence; penalties; arrest; tenants or occupants excepted 
§ 120A Motor vehicle; parking on private way; prosecution; evidence 
§ 120B Entry on land by abutting property owners not constituting trespass 
§ 120C Entry upon adjoining lands by surveyors not constituting trespass 
§ 120D Removal of motor vehicles from private ways or property; penalties; liability for removal and storage charges; release of vehicle 
§ 120E Obstructing entry to or departure from medical facilities; penalties; injunctive relief 
§ 120E 1/2 Reproductive health care facilities; withdrawal orders for individuals impeding access to or departure from facility; intimidation; penalty for violations 
§ 120F Unauthorized access to computer system; penalties 
§ 121 Entry on land with firearms 
§ 121A Trespasses involving motor vehicles and other powered devices 
§ 122 Notice against trespassers; defacement; penalty 
§ 123 State land; public institutions; trespass; penalty 

Amended by St.2022, c.144, § 77, effective March 1, 2023

§ 123A Willful trespass upon public source of water, water supply facility or land 
§ 124 Legal notice; penalty for malicious injury 
§ 125 Show bill or advertisement; penalty for malicious injury 
§ 126 Natural scenery; penalty for defacement 
§ 126A Defacement of real or personal property; penalties 

Amended by St.2018, c. 69, § 152, effective April 13, 2018

§ 126B Tagging; penalties; suspension of driver's license 

Amended by St.2018, c. 69, § 153, effective April 13, 2018

§ 127 Willful, malicious or wanton destruction or injury to personal property, dwelling house or building of another 

Amended by St.2018, c. 69, § 154, effective April 13, 2018

§ 127A Destruction of place of worship, etc.; threats; punishment 
§ 127B Actions for civil rights violations; liability 
§ 128 Milk cans; defacement 
§ 129 Correctional institutions; injury to property 
§ 130 Penal institutions; injury to property 
§ 131 Sunday trespassers; arrest and detention without warrant 
§ 132 Pigeons; killing or frightening 
§ 133 Humane society; injury to property 
§ 135 Vessels; mooring the buoy, beacon or floating guide; penalty 
§ 137 Injury to mill by raising water 
§ 138 Dams or reservoirs; malicious injury 
§ 138A Irrigation equipment; malicious injury 
§ 139 Motor vehicles or trailers; defacement, etc., of identifying numbers; penalties; arrests 
§ 139A Machines, electrical or mechanical devices; alteration or obliteration of identifying numbers; possession; sale; punishment 
§ 140 Sale or offer for sale of master keys; penalty 
§ 141 Tampering with odometer of motor vehicle; intent to defraud; civil remedy; treble damages; costs and fees; unfair competition; repair or replacement excepted 
§ 141A Misrepresentation of mileage of motor vehicle by turning back or readjusting speedometer or odometer; criminal penalty 
§ 142 Record of purchases by dealers in scrap copper wire; inspection; penalty 
§ 142A Gold, silver and platinum dealers; records; penalty 
§ 143 Definitions applicable to Secs. 143A to 143H 
§ 143A Unauthorized reproduction and transfer of sound recordings 
§ 143B Unauthorized reproduction and sale of live performances 
§ 143C Manufacture, rental, or sale of recorded devices in packaging not bearing reproducer's name and address 
§ 143D Application of Secs. 143 to 143C; exceptions 
§ 143E Violations of Secs. 143A to 143C; punishment 
§ 143F Unlawful recording of motion picture in motion picture theater; punishment 
§ 143G Persons detained for possible violation of Sec. 143F; defense to false imprisonment or false arrest action 
§ 143H Forfeiture of recordings upon conviction for violation of Secs. 143A to 143C or Sec. 143F 
§ 144 Carrying away or conversion of certain milk containers without permission of owners 
§ 145 Theft of public records 
§ 146 Disposal of solid waste in commercial disposal container of another without consent of owner; penalties 
§ 147 Items or services bearing or identified by counterfeit mark; sales; penalties 
§ 148 Sale of vehicle catalytic converters 

Added by St.2022, c.407 (effective January 5, 2023)

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