§ 1 Abandonment and nonsupport; failure to comply with support order; decree establishing rights of spouse as prima facie evidence
§ 2 Jurisdiction; venue; supervision of parent by municipal or district court probation officers
§ 3 Payment of fines
§ 6 Recognizance on release on probation; compliance with judgment or order for support; forfeiture
§ 7 Evidence of marriage and parentage; husband and wife as witnesses; self incrimination; evidence of wilfulness; confidential communications
§ 8 Lack of custody as defence; duty to support child
§ 10 Uniform construction
§ 15 Duty to support child born out of wedlock; conclusiveness of adjudication or acknowledgment of paternity
§ 15A Abandonment and willful nonsupport; penalties; alternative sentencing; restitution
§ 15B Receiving, concealing or transferring assets for the purpose of avoiding payment; penalty
§ 16 Proceedings under Secs. 1 and 15
§ 17 Dismissal of case
§ 18 Money forfeited or recovered upon recognizance or deposit used for support
§ 18A Support obligations under prior law; enforcement; insurance coverage; amended orders
§ 20 Neglect or refusal to support parent
§ 21 Venue; complainants
§ 22 Orders; applicability of Secs. 1 to 10 of this chapter
§ 23 Needy disabled persons; neglect or refusal of parents to support; penalty
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Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws > Chapter 273 - Desertion, Non&Ndash;Support and Illegitimacy

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • 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.
  • Probate: Proving a will
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • Probation officers: Screen applicants for pretrial release and monitor convicted offenders released under court supervision.
  • Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
  • 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.