{"data":{"id":"us-ma/mass.-gen.-laws-ch.-263a-5","jurisdiction":"us-ma","citation":"Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 263A, § 5","heading":"Protective services provided to critical witnesses; notice to defense counsel","body":"Section 5. Protective services provided to a critical witness may include, but not be limited to:—\n(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;\n(b) physical relocation to an alternate shelter, housing or residence;\n(c) reasonable housing expenses;\n(d) transportation or storage of personal possessions;\n(e) basic living expenses; and\n(f) petition for a protective order on any individual identified as a threat to a critical witness.\nAny 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.","path":["Part IV","Title I","Chapter 263A"],"source_url":"https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter263A/Section5","current_through":"amendments passed before May 31, 2026","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-17T05:25:09Z","sha256":"bb63b15ce3c237ddff081c4378e5fe78d8e308e1182e36365f273cdb460358df","source_id":"us-ma","stale":false,"prev":"us-ma/mass.-gen.-laws-ch.-263a-4","next":"us-ma/mass.-gen.-laws-ch.-263a-6"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}