Section 22. Before trial, with the consent of the defendant, or after entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, or after conviction, the court may make for the benefit of such destitute parent orders similar to those provided by section five; and the practice established by the first ten sections of this chapter shall, so far as applicable, apply to proceedings under this and the two preceding sections.

Ask a business law question, get an answer ASAP!
Thousands of highly rated, verified business lawyers.
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws ch. 273 sec. 22

  • 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.
  • Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.