§ 1 Recovery of fines and forfeitures
§ 2 Payment of certain fines and forfeitures; apportionment among beneficiaries
§ 3 Proceedings to recover penalties; appointment of counsel
§ 4 Criminal prosecutions; expenses paid by commonwealth; waiver of costs for indigent defendants
§ 5 Appeal briefs in criminal cases; payment of costs
§ 6 Costs as penalty for crime; expenses of prosecution
§ 6A Special cost assessments; exemption
§ 6B Criminal assessments
§ 6C Assessment proceeds
§ 7 Certificates of fines imposed; delivery to state treasurer
§ 8 Transfer to state treasurer of fines paid
§ 9 Fines paid; transfer to state treasurer by clerks of courts in Suffolk county
§ 10 Payment of witness fees; presentment of certificate
§ 11 Certification of fines and forfeitures; payment to commonwealth
§ 12 Escape of prisoner; liability of sheriff for fines or forfeitures of prisoner
§ 13 Failure of sheriff to pay fines or forfeitures of escaped prisoner; remedy
§ 14 Default in fine payment; commitment to jail or house of correction; payment to jailer or superintendent
§ 15 Quarterly transfers to state treasurer of payments received by jailer or superintendent; account on oath
§ 16 Payment by state treasurer of expenses or fees; time limit for demand; qualifications for payment to clerks of district court
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Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws > Chapter 280 - Fines and Forfeitures

  • 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.
  • 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
  • Beneficiary: A person who is entitled to receive the benefits or proceeds of a will, trust, insurance policy, retirement plan, annuity, or other contract. Source: OCC
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • 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.
  • Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
  • 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.
  • Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • 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.
  • Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.