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Mass. General Laws c.268

Crimes against public justice

This page links to an unofficial version of each section of G.L. c. 268. Please note that sections that appear missing have been either reserved for future use or repealed.

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§ 1 Perjury 
§ 1A Statements containing declaration relative to penalties of perjury; verification; false statements 
§ 2 Subornation of perjury 
§ 3 Attempt to procure another to commit perjury 
§ 4 Testimony creating presumption of perjury; commitment; recognizance; witnesses bound over; notice 
§ 5 Presumption of perjury; papers, books and documents detained for prosecution 
§ 6 False reports or testimony before state departments, board or commissioner; false entries in company books or statements; aiders or abettors 
§ 6A False written reports by public officers or employees 
§ 6B Process servers; false statements; penalty 
§ 8B Compulsion or coercion to refuse appointment or promotion 
§ 9A Public officers or employees; solicitations regarding testimonial dinners 
§ 13 Corrupting or attempting to corrupt masters, auditors, jurors, arbitrators, umpires or referees 
§ 13A Picketing court, judge, juror, witness or court officer 
§ 13B Intimidation of witnesses, jurors and persons furnishing information in connection with criminal proceedings 

Amended by St.2018, c. 69, § 155, effective April 13, 2018

§ 13C Disruption of court proceedings 
§ 13D Distributing transcript or description of grand jury testimony with intent to interfere with criminal proceedings 
§ 13E Tampering with record, document or other object for use in an official proceeding 
§ 14 Receipt of gift by juror, arbitrator, umpire, referee, master or auditor 
§ 14A Juror discharged from employment 
§ 14B Witnesses in criminal actions; discharge, etc. from employment 
§ 15 Aiding escape from a correctional institution or jail; rescue 
§ 15A Escapes from jail 
§ 16 Escape or attempt to escape, or failure to return from temporary release or furlough 
§ 17 Aiding escape from officer or person having custody 
§ 18 Jailer or officer suffering prisoner to escape 
§ 19 Suffering or consenting to an escape from a penal institution 
§ 20 Negligently suffering prisoner to escape; refusal to receive prisoner 
§ 21 Suffering convict to be at large, visited, relieved or comforted 
§ 21A Officer or other employee of penal or correctional institution; sexual relations with inmate; punishment 
§ 22 Delay of service of warrants 
§ 23 Refusal or delay to execute process resulting in escape 
§ 24 Neglect or refusal to assist officer or watchman 
§ 25 Refusal or neglect to obey order of justice of the peace to apprehend offender 
§ 26 Delivering alcoholic beverages to prisoners; possession 
§ 27 Delivering alcoholic beverages to patients of public institutions; possession 
§ 28 Delivering drugs or articles to prisoners in correctional institutions or jails; possession 
§ 29 Delivery, or permission of delivery, by officers, of alcoholic beverages, to prisoners; keeping together prisoners of different sexes or classes 
§ 30 Disturbing correctional institutions or jail; attracting attention of, or communicating with, inmates 
§ 31 Delivery or receipt of articles to or from inmates 
§ 32 Interference or tampering with police or fire signal systems, or motorist highway emergency aid call boxes; false alarms or calls 
§ 32A Interference with fire fighting operations 
§ 32B Resisting arrest 
§ 33 Falsely assuming to be justice of the peace or other officers 

Amended by St. 2025, c. 73, §§ 56-57, effective November 25, 2025

§ 33A Engaging in lead paint inspection without a license 
§ 34 Disguises to obstruct execution of law, performance of duties, or exercise of rights 
§ 34A Furnishing false name, Social Security number or other information establishing identity to law enforcement officer or official; penalty; restitution 

Amended by St.2018, c. 69, § 156, effective April 13, 2018

§ 35 Unauthorized use of town seal; making or possessing badge of town officer 
§ 36 Compounding or concealing felonies 
§ 39 Perjury; statements alleging motor vehicle theft; penalty; subsequent offenses 
§ 40 Reports of crimes to law enforcement officials 

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Email a reference librarian: lawlibraries@jud.state.ma.us

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