Boston · Criminal defense
Murder and homicide charges in Massachusetts
General information about Massachusetts murder, manslaughter, homicide prosecutions, court proceedings, and appellate review.
Overview
Governing materials
Massachusetts General Laws chapter 265, section 1 defines murder and divides the offense into degrees. Section 2 states the authorized punishment. G.L. c. 265, § 1 and G.L. c. 265, § 2.
Massachusetts criminal cases proceed under the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure, including rules addressing discovery, pretrial motions, trial, sentencing, and postconviction proceedings. Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Court and agency record
Common record categories
- Charging documents and grand-jury materials produced by law
- Police, forensic, medical, and digital records
- Motion papers, exhibits, and trial transcripts
- Judgments, sentences, and appellate filings
Primary references
Official sources
Disclaimer: This page provides general legal information only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, rules, and procedures may change. Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.