§ 1 Nature of crime; right to be informed; penalty
§ 1A Fingerprinting and photographing; contents of record; audits
§ 2 Arrest on false pretense; penalty
§ 3 False imprisonment; actions against officers
§ 4 Prosecution of crimes; manner
§ 4A Waiver of indictment; procedure
§ 5 Counsel; right of accused
§ 5A Driving while intoxicated; right to medical examination; notice
§ 6 Conviction; manner; waiver of jury trial
§ 7 Acquittal; effect on subsequent charges
§ 8 Acquittal on defective pleadings; subsequent indictment
§ 8A Acquittal on merits in district court or housing courts of city of Boston and county of Worcester; effect
§ 9 Punishment; conditions precedent
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Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws > Chapter 263 - Rights of Persons Accused of Crime

  • Acquittal:
    1. Judgement that a criminal defendant has not been proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
    2. A verdict of "not guilty."
     
  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Grand jury: agreement providing that a lender will delay exercising its rights (in the case of a mortgage,
  • 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.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • 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.
  • Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.