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Massachusetts · Through amendments passed before May 31, 2026

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 263A, § 5: Protective services provided to critical witnesses; notice to defense counsel

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Where this section sits in the code
  1. Part IV
  2. Title I
  3. Chapter 263A

Section 5. Protective services provided to a critical witness may include, but not be limited to:—

(a) any necessary armed protection or escort, marked or unmarked surveillance or periodic visits or contact by law enforcement officials prior, during or subsequent to a criminal proceeding;

(b) physical relocation to an alternate shelter, housing or residence;

(c) reasonable housing expenses;

(d) transportation or storage of personal possessions;

(e) basic living expenses; and

(f) petition for a protective order on any individual identified as a threat to a critical witness.

Any protective services provided to a critical witness shall be made known to defense counsel pursuant to Rule 14 of the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure.

Collected 2026-09-17T05:25:09Z. Source file · JSON

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