§ 1 Definitions
§ 2 Witness protection board; composition; powers and duties
§ 3 Petition requesting witness protection services
§ 4 Temporary action based on exigent circumstances without prior approval by board
§ 5 Protective services provided to critical witnesses; notice to defense counsel
§ 6 Written memorandum of understanding; persons required to sign; contents
§ 7 Refusal of protective services; revocation of services upon violation of memorandum of understanding
§ 8 Relocation of critical witness within public housing system
§ 9 Relocation of critical witness to another public school
§ 10 Entitlement or private right of action not available; governmental immunity
§ 11 Liaison with United States Marshal’s office; pursuit of federal resources and funding
§ 12 Confidentiality of records
§ 13 Disclosure of identity or location of witness or other sensitive information; penalties
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Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws > Chapter 263A - Witness Protection in Criminal Matters

  • Appropriation: The provision of funds, through an annual appropriations act or a permanent law, for federal agencies to make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes. The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization
  • Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
  • Entitlement: A Federal program or provision of law that requires payments to any person or unit of government that meets the eligibility criteria established by law. Entitlements constitute a binding obligation on the part of the Federal Government, and eligible recipients have legal recourse if the obligation is not fulfilled. Social Security and veterans' compensation and pensions are examples of entitlement programs.
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • 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.
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • Service of process: The service of writs or summonses to the appropriate party.
  • Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
  • Testify: Answer questions in court.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.