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Mass. General Laws c.266

Crimes against property

This page links to an unofficial version of each section of G.L. c. 266. Please note that sections that appear missing have been either reserved for future use or repealed.

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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 

Amended by St. 2024, c. 135, § 111, effective October 2, 2024

§ 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 

Amended by St. 2024, c. 135, § 112, effective October 2, 2024

§ 18 Dwelling house; entry at night; breaking and entering in day time; weapons; punishment 

Amended by St. 2024, c. 135, § 113, effective October 2, 2024

§ 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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