Mass. Gen. Laws » Part III Title IV Chapter 258E
Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 258E, § 4 (2026)

Notice of nature of proceedings and availability of other criminal proceedings

✓ current as of July 2026
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Section 4. Upon the filing of a complaint under this chapter, a complainant shall be informed that the proceedings hereunder are civil in nature and that violations of orders issued hereunder are criminal in nature. Further, a complainant shall be given information prepared by the appropriate district attorney's office that other criminal proceedings may be available and such complainant shall be instructed by such district attorney's office relative to the procedures required to initiate criminal proceedings including, but not limited to, a complaint for a violation of section 13B, 13F, 13H, 22, 22A, 23, 24, 24B, 26C, 43 and 43A of chapter 265 or section 3 of chapter 272. Whenever possible, a complainant shall be provided with such information in the complainant's native language.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2014–2023 · leading case: Seney v. Morhy, 3 N.E.3d 577 (Mass. 2014).
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Seney v. Morhy, 3 N.E.3d 577 (Mass. 2014). “G. L. c. 258E, §§ 4, 9. “Law enforcement agencies shall establish procedures adequate to ensure that an officer on the scene of an alleged violation of such order may be informed of the existence and terms of such order.”
F.K. v. S.C., 115 N.E.3d 539 (Mass. 2019). “, G. L. c. 258E, § 4 ; Seney v. Morhy , 467 Mass.”
J.C. v. J.H. (Mass. App. Ct. 2017). “258E, § 3(g), together with G. L. c. 258E, § 4, makes clear that the criminal enforcement provisions of c.”
F.K. v. S.C. (Mass. 2019). “, G. L. c. 258E, § 4; Seney v. Morhy, 467 Mass.”
Commonwealth v. Beatrice Gloria Solivan-Rodriguez. (Mass. App. Ct. 2023). “5 (2014), quoting G. L. c. 258E, §§ 4, 9. The defendant's anti- harassment order instructed her, inter alia, "[not to contact the plaintiff] .”
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