Section 57. When a person is brought before a magistrate upon a charge of any offence mentioned in sections fifty-three, sixty-six and sixty-eight, such magistrate, or the court before which the case may be carried on appeal, may at any stage of the proceedings direct the defendant or appellant to be discharged, upon his entering into a recognizance, with sufficient sureties, in such sum as the magistrate or court orders, for his good behavior for not less than six months nor more than two years, and paying the expenses of prosecution or such part thereof as the magistrate or court orders.

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Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws ch. 272 sec. 57

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.