When Police Are Called To A House
G.L. c. 209A, § 6 — arrest the preferred response, and the duties of an officer on an abuse call
The preferred response. Where no order is in effect, arrest is the preferred response whenever an officer witnesses or has probable cause to believe a person committed a felony, a misdemeanor involving abuse, or an assault and battery on a family or household member. The safety of the victim and any children is paramount.
Orders. An officer arrests any person the officer witnesses or has probable cause to believe has violated a vacate, restraining, or no-contact order.
- Remaining on the scene while a party would be in immediate physical danger without an officer present.
- Assisting the abused person in obtaining medical treatment.
- Assisting the abused person in getting to a safe place.
- Giving the person immediate notice of their rights, read aloud.
- Informing the victim that the abuser will be eligible for bail.
Those are among the actions the section has an officer take. An officer who arrests both parties submits a detailed written report on the grounds for the dual arrest.
The offenses themselves, protective orders, and release conditions are set out in other sections that are not on this page. What happens in a particular case is a question for a licensed Massachusetts attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- G.L. c. 209A, § 6 — Powers and duties of police on an abuse call
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Massachusetts attorney.