The whole Massachusetts file

MASSACHUSETTS FIELD FILE

Every section, top to bottom.

About this guide — education built from the General Laws of Massachusetts as the Legislature publishes them, not a law degree in a webpage. Applying them to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Massachusetts attorney or a legal aid office. Current as of September 2026.

A written report within five days. In Massachusetts, a driver in an accident in which anyone is killed or injured, or any one vehicle or other property is damaged by more than one thousand dollars, reports it in writing to the registrar on the approved form within five days, and sends a copy to the police department where it happened.

G.L. c. 90, § 26

Driving away without stopping and making known one's name, residence and registration number, after knowingly colliding with or causing injury to a person, is punished by six months to two years in jail and a fine of five hundred to one thousand dollars. Doing the same after damaging another vehicle or property carries a fine of twenty to two hundred dollars or jail from two weeks to two years, or both.

G.L. c. 90, § 24

A driver physically unable to report is excused while incapacitated, and the owner reports instead. The registrar may revoke or suspend the license of anyone who does not report.

G.L. c. 90, § 26

Sources for this section (2)

G.L. c. 90, § 26 — Accident reports
G.L. c. 90, § 24 — Operating under the influence

Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Massachusetts attorney.

MASSACHUSETTS FIELD FILE

Traffic stops

Being stopped

Marijuana and drugs

Impaired driving

Court and money

Recording

Carrying a firearm

Charges and penalties

How you carry yourself

Walk it through

MASSACHUSETTS FIELD FILE

Traffic stops

After A CrashG.L. c. 90, § 26 — a written report within five days for an injury or more than $1,000 in damage▾

Open ContainerG.L. c. 90, § 24I — $100 to $500 for an open container in the passenger area▾

Your Phone Behind The WheelG.L. c. 90, § 13B — hands free only, and $100, $250, then $500▾

Reckless DrivingG.L. c. 90, § 24 — recklessly, or negligently so as to endanger the public▾

Speed LimitsG.L. c. 90, § 17 — 30 in a thickly settled district, 40 or 50 outside, and 20 in a school zone▾

Seat BeltsG.L. c. 90, § 13A — a $25 fine, enforced only after a stop for something else▾

Driving While SuspendedG.L. c. 90, § 23 — five hundred to one thousand dollars, or up to ten days, for a first offense▾

Being stopped

Traffic StopsG.L. c. 90, § 25 — name, address, license and registration, on a police officer's request▾

Reading A Search WarrantG.L. c. 276, § 2 — the place described, the property particularly described, and daytime unless it says otherwise▾

Marijuana and drugs

Marijuana And DrugsG.L. c. 94G, § 7 — 2 ounces at 21 or older, and 10 ounces at home▾

Impaired driving

The OUI StopG.L. c. 90, § 24 — eight one-hundredths, and at least 180 days without a license for refusing the test▾

Court and money

Getting The Deposit BackG.L. c. 186, § 15B — no more than the first month's rent, and back within 30 days▾

When The Landlord Can Come InG.L. c. 186, § 15B — to inspect, repair or show, and a few other listed reasons▾

Being EvictedG.L. c. 186, § 12 — fourteen days' notice for unpaid rent, and a right to pay it within ten▾

Locked Out By The LandlordG.L. c. 186, § 15F — three months' rent or three times the damages, without a court order▾

When The Landlord Will Not Fix ItG.L. c. 239, § 8A — conditions as a defense to eviction, and repair and deduct up to four months' rent▾

Retaliatory EvictionG.L. c. 186, § 18 — a presumption of reprisal within six months, and one to three months' rent▾

Getting PaidG.L. c. 149, § 148 — paid in full the day of a firing, and treble damages for wages withheld▾

Minimum WageG.L. c. 151, § 1 — less than $15.00 an hour is presumed oppressive and unreasonable▾

Earned Sick TimeG.L. c. 149, § 148C — one hour for every thirty worked, paid at employers of eleven or more▾

Your Personnel FileG.L. c. 149, § 52C — notice within 10 days of anything negative, and a review within 5 business days▾

Getting Public RecordsG.L. c. 66, § 10 — records within 10 business days, or a written answer saying why not▾

Small Claims CourtG.L. c. 218, § 21 — up to $7,000, with no limit for motor vehicle property damage▾

What A Creditor Cannot TakeG.L. c. 235, § 34 — $2,500 in the bank, a $7,500 car, and most of a paycheck▾

Unemployment BenefitsG.L. c. 151A, § 25 — good cause attributable to the employer, or deliberate misconduct▾

Getting DivorcedG.L. c. 208, § 1B — an irretrievable breakdown, and a hearing no earlier than six months without an agreement▾

Alimony And PropertyG.L. c. 208, § 34 — the court may assign all or part of either spouse's estate▾

Custody And Parenting TimeG.L. c. 208, § 31 — parents' rights equal, and the child's happiness and welfare decide▾

Abuse Prevention OrdersG.L. c. 209A, § 3 — no filing fee, and a vacate order for up to one year▾

Deceptive Business PracticesG.L. c. 93A, § 9 — a written demand thirty days before suit, and multiple damages for a willful violation▾

Door To Door SalesG.L. c. 93, § 48 — until midnight of the third business day to cancel▾

Debt CollectorsG.L. c. 93, § 49 — no telling others, no harassment, and no contact once a lawyer says so▾

Old Debts And Time LimitsG.L. c. 260, § 2 — six years on a contract, and three on an injury▾

Hurt At WorkG.L. c. 152, § 41 — notice as soon as practicable, and a claim within four years▾

Discrimination At WorkG.L. c. 151B, § 5 — a complaint to the commission within 300 days▾

Dog BitesG.L. c. 140, § 155 — the owner or keeper is liable for any damage the dog does▾

Jury Duty And Your JobG.L. c. 234A, § 61 — no firing, threats or forced assignments over jury service▾

Changing A NameG.L. c. 210, § 12 — granted unless it is inconsistent with public interests▾

Recording

RecordingG.L. c. 272, § 99 — secret recording needs the prior authority of every party▾

Carrying a firearm

CarryingG.L. c. 269, § 10 — a license to carry, or a mandatory 18 months▾

Charges and penalties

The Theft LadderG.L. c. 266, § 30 — $1,200 is the line for larceny, and $250 for shoplifting▾

Bail After An ArrestG.L. c. 276, § 58 — personal recognizance unless that will not assure appearance▾

AssaultG.L. c. 265, § 13A — up to two and one-half years, and more with serious injury▾

Clearing A RecordG.L. c. 276, § 100A — sealing on request after 3 years for a misdemeanor and 7 for a felony▾

How you carry yourself

Public IntoxicationG.L. c. 111B, § 8 — protective custody, a right to a breath test, and one phone call▾

Disorderly ConductG.L. c. 272, § 53 — a fine of up to $150 for a first offense▾

Resisting ArrestG.L. c. 268, § 32B — force, threats, or a substantial risk of bodily injury▾

Underage DrinkingG.L. c. 138, § 34C — a fine, and a 90 day license suspension, under twenty-one▾

TrespassG.L. c. 266, § 120 — after being forbidden, directly or by a posted notice▾

Harassment And StalkingG.L. c. 265, § 43A — a pattern of conduct that seriously alarms, and a threat makes it stalking▾

Walk it through