Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 233, § 20D (2026)

Crimes subject to immunity

✓ current as of July 2026

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Section 20D. A witness who is called or who may be called to testify before a grand jury or in a criminal proceeding in the supreme judicial court, appeals court or superior court may, in the manner provided in section twenty E, be granted immunity in any proceeding or investigation involving the following crimes: abortion, arson, assault and battery to collect a loan, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, assault to murder, breaking and entering a dwelling house or a building, bribery, burning of a building or dwelling house or other property, burglary, counterfeiting, deceptive advertising, electronic eavesdropping, embezzlement, extortion, firearm violations, forgery, fraudulent personal injury and property damage claims, violation of the gaming laws, gun registration violations, intimidation of a witness or of a juror, insurance law violations, kidnapping, larceny, lending of money or thing of value in violation of the general laws, liquor law violations, mayhem, murder, violation of the narcotic or harmful drug laws, perjury, prostitution, violations of environmental control laws (pollution), violations of conflicts of interest laws, consumer protection laws, pure food and drug law violations, receiving stolen property, robbery, subornation of perjury, uttering, or any felony, being an accessory to any of the foregoing offenses and conspiracy or attempt or solicitation to commit any of the foregoing offenses.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 15 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1976–2023 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Russ R., 744 N.E.2d 39 (Mass. 2001).

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Commonwealth v. Russ R., 744 N.E.2d 39 (Mass. 2001). · cites it 3× “Thus, if this language were sufficient to *519 confer the power to grant immunity on the theory that Superior Court judges have such power in criminal trials, then our ruling would grant that power to judges in both the Juvenile Court and the District Court (to the extent of its…”

Flesner v. Technical Commc'ns Corp., 575 N.E.2d 1107 (Mass. 1991). “262, § 29 (1990 ed.) (providing compensation and travel costs reimbursement for any person who attends the Attorney General or the offices of a district attorney for the purpose of assisting an investigation); G.”

Commonwealth v. Allison, 751 N.E.2d 868 (Mass. 2001). “Rogovich had been granted immunity by a single justice of this court under G. L. c. 233, § 20D. The defendant attempted to impeach his testimony by attacking his ability to observe the events, his alcohol and drug consumption, his prior convictions, and his grant of immunity.”

Commonwealth v. Curtis, 448 N.E.2d 345 (Mass. 1983). · cites it 2× “Prior to the start of the trial the defendants moved for the judge to order the prosecutor to seek a grant of immunity from prosecution, under the provisions of G. L. c. 233, §§ 20D and 20E, for Joseph DeDominicis, a prospective defense witness who had been present at the brawl.”

Surina v. Buckalew, 629 P.2d 969 (Alaska 1981). “G.L. c. 233, § 20D. From these provisions, the plaintiffs argue that power presently remains in the prosecutory to grant immunity as to crimes not enumerated in the statute.”

Petition of the Dist. Attorney for the Plymouth Dist., 464 N.E.2d 62 (Mass. 1984). · cites it 3× “See G. L. c. 233, §§ 20D and 20E. As the Commonwealth conceded, the grand jury, which was convened soon after the witness’s acquittal, was not involved in any continuing investigation concerning the victim’s death.”

Commonwealth v. Hardy, 727 N.E.2d 836 (Mass. 2000). “See G. L. c. 233, § 20D. Rogovich testified as follows.”

Commonwealth v. Sullivan, 761 N.E.2d 509 (Mass. 2002). “See G. L. c. 233, § 20D. Rogovich testified as follows.”

Commonwealth v. Steinberg, 536 N.E.2d 606 (Mass. 1989). “), had granted him immunity as to his testimony. He also appeals from the single justice’s order granting him immunity.”

Smith v. Commonwealth, 436 N.E.2d 377 (Mass. 1982). “6 See G. L. c. 233, § 20D. Finally, the defendant appears to object to the fact that the witness had pleaded guilty to the murder of Karen Marsden, and was serving a prison sentence.”

Grand Jurors for Middlesex Cnty. for the Year 1974 v. Wallace, 369 Mass. 876 (Mass. 1976). “G. L. c. 233, § 20D. 6 From these provisions, *880 the plaintiffs argue that power presently remains in the prosecutor to grant immunity as to crimes not enumerated in the statute.”

In the Matter of a John Doe Grand Jury Investigation, 539 N.E.2d 56 (Mass. 1989). “The judge concluded that the grant of immunity did not include immunity from prosecution for a crime not listed in G. L. c. 233, § 20D. The third issue we discuss involves the scope of the immunity granted to the witness.”

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