Massachusetts General Laws ch. 279 sec. 35 – Transmission of complaint or indictment to correctional institution
Section 35. When a person is committed to any correctional institution of the commonwealth or to any other public penal institution, on conviction of felony, the clerk of the court shall, without charge, transmit with the mittimus an attested copy of the complaint or indictment under which such person was convicted and, if such complaint or indictment does not contain a reference to the chapter and section of the General Laws under which such person was convicted, a statement designating such chapter and section, and the names and addresses of the witnesses who testified for and against such person at the trial, together with a record containing the names and addresses of the presiding justice, district attorney and of the attorney for the defendant.
Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws ch. 279 sec. 35
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.