Mass. Gen. Laws » Part III Title I Chapter 212
Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 212, § 21 (2026)

Special jury sittings for criminal business

✓ text as last checked Sept. 2026 (this copy records no edition or section history)
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Section 21. The chief justice may, by written order to the sheriff, order a special jury for a sitting for criminal business to be held in any county at such time and place as may be appointed in such order. The sheriff shall give notice thereof as directed in the order therefor; but no person under recognizance to answer to an indictment or to a criminal complaint shall be held to appear at such special sitting or at any time and place other than the regular sittings of the court, unless duly notified by written summons from the clerk.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases, 1927–1983 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Handren, 158 N.E. 894 (Mass. 1927).
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Commonwealth v. Handren, 158 N.E. 894 (Mass. 1927). · cites it 2× “212, § 14, unless the Chief Justice of that court had arranged for a special sitting at some other place and time; G. L. c. 212, § 21; or unless it was unsafe or inexpedient to hold a court at the time and place appointed, in which event “a justice of the court may appoint…”
Commonwealth v. Aldoupolis, 457 N.E.2d 268 (Mass. 1983). “14 Because we have concluded that the authority vests in the judges of the Superior Court, we need not consider whether the administrative justice of the Superior Court, acting under his authority, and pursuant to G. L. c. 212, § 21, may require that a Superior Court judge…”
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