Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 265, § 15C (2026)

Assault by means of hypodermic syringe or needle; assault and battery by means of hypodermic syringe or needle

✓ current as of July 2026
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Section 15C. (a) Whoever commits an assault upon another, by means of a hypodermic syringe, hypodermic needle, or any instrument adapted for the administration of controlled or other substances by injection, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 10 years or in the house of correction for not more than 21/2 years, or by a fine of not more than $1,000, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(b) Whoever commits an assault and battery upon another, by means of a hypodermic syringe, hypodermic needle, or any instrument adapted for the administration of controlled or other substances by injection, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 15 years or in the house of correction for not more than 21/2 years, or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 1 case, 2015–2015 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Hamilton, 87 Mass. App. Ct. 274 (Mass. App. Ct. 2015).
Commonwealth v. Hamilton, 87 Mass. App. Ct. 274 (Mass. App. Ct. 2015). · cites it 6× “The defendant appeals from his conviction of assault and battery by means of a hypodermic syringe or needle (hypodermic needle, or needle) in violation of G. L. c. 265, § 15C(¿ ), 1 arguing that the evidence was insufficient to support a conviction and that the trial judge…”
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 265, § 15C(6): 1 case
Commonwealth v. Hamilton, 87 Mass. App. Ct. 274 (Mass. App. Ct. 2015). “The defendant appeals from his conviction of assault and battery by means of a hypodermic syringe or needle (hypodermic needle, or needle) in violation of G. L. c. 265, § 15C(¿ ), 1 arguing that the evidence was insufficient to support a conviction and that the trial judge…”
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 265, § 15C(a): 1 case
Commonwealth v. Hamilton, 87 Mass. App. Ct. 274 (Mass. App. Ct. 2015). “The defendant appeals from his conviction of assault and battery by means of a hypodermic syringe or needle (hypodermic needle, or needle) in violation of G. L. c. 265, § 15C(¿ ), 1 arguing that the evidence was insufficient to support a conviction and that the trial judge…”
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