Massachusetts Crimes: Laws & Penalties

Massachusetts Misdemeanor Crimes and Sentences

Learn which crimes are considered misdemeanors in Massachusetts, how sentencing works, and typical penalties for these less-serious crimes.

Massachusetts Criminal Statute of Limitations

Statutes of limitations set time limits for the government to bring criminal charges in a case. If the prosecution charges someone after the applicable time period has passed, the person charged can have the case dismissed.

Driving On a Suspended or Revoked License in Massachusetts

Your Massachusetts driver's license may be suspended or revoked for reasons as varied as littering, driving under the influence, and having an outstanding warrant. Whether suspended or revoked, you should not drive when your license is not valid. If you drive on a suspended or revoked license, you risk being charged with a crime.

Massachusetts Minor in Possession of Alcohol Charges and Penalties

A minor in Massachusetts may not purchase, attempt to purchase, or arrange for someone else to purchase alcoholic liquor on the minor’s behalf, with few exceptions (see below).

Massachusetts Petty Theft and Other Theft Laws

Massachusetts criminal statutes define larceny simply as stealing the property of another.

Burglary and Home Invasions in Massachusetts

Massachusetts protects people and their property from uninvited intruders with burglary, home invasion, criminal trespass, and related laws.

Massachusetts Marijuana Laws

Learn about Massachusetts’s laws and penalties for marijuana use, cultivation, distribution, and trafficking.

Stun Gun Laws in Massachusetts

It’s now legal in Massachusetts to buy, use, or carry a Taser or other type of stun gun, but you’ll need a firearms license.

Cyberbullying and Online Harassment in Massachusetts

Massachusetts legislators have addressed bullying (and its electronic cousin, cyberbullying) in their general criminal statutes, and also by requiring all schools to implement antibullying policies, discussed more below.

Disorderly Conduct in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, laws against disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace criminalize fighting, being noisy and annoying in public, and other behavior that is likely to alarm, upset, or provoke others.

Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Massachusetts

Under Massachusetts' laws, any person who uses a weapon to commit assault (the attempted use of physical force, or demonstrating an intent to use physical force), or assault and battery (physical contact that is unwanted or likely to cause harm), can be convicted of a crime.

Massachusetts Domestic Violence Laws

Under Massachusetts' laws, it is a crime to commit domestic violence (also called domestic abuse), which includes physical harm, attempts to cause physical harm, inflicting fear of imminent serious physical harm, and involuntary sexual relations between family and household members.

Prostitution, Pimping, and Pandering Laws in Massachusetts

Massachusetts law punishes prostitution as a misdemeanor crime, but punishes the related offenses of solicitation, pimping, and pandering with greater penalties than for prostitution itself. The crimes of pimping and pandering are increased to felonies, with still greater penalties, where the crimes involve minors.

Massachusetts Statutory Rape Laws

People in Massachusetts who engage in sexual activity with people under the age of consent (16 years old) may be convicted of child rape (sometimes called statutory rape).