Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 277, § 68: Issuance of subpoenas by attorney general and district attorneys

Section 68. The attorney general and district attorneys may issue subpoenas under their hands for witnesses to appear and testify on behalf of the commonwealth, and such subpoenas shall have the same force, and be obeyed in the same manner, and under the same penalties, in case of default, as if issued by the clerk of the court.