Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 265, § 21A (2026)

Assault, confinement, etc. of person for purpose of stealing motor vehicle; weapons; punishment

✓ current as of July 2026

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Section 21A. Whoever, with intent to steal a motor vehicle, assaults, confines, maims or puts any person in fear for the purpose of stealing a motor vehicle shall, whether he succeeds or fails in the perpetration of stealing the motor vehicle be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than fifteen years or in a jail or house of correction for not more than two and one-half years and a fine of not less than one thousand nor more than fifteen thousand dollars; provided, however, that any person who commits any offense described herein while being armed with a dangerous weapon shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than twenty years or in a jail or house of correction for not less than one year nor more than two and one-half years and a fine of not less than five nor more than fifteen thousand dollars. Whoever commits any offense described in this section while armed with a firearm, as defined in section 121 of chapter 140, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not less than 7 years.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 24 cases (8 in the last 5 years), 1995–2026 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Anderson, 963 N.E.2d 704 (Mass. 2012).

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Commonwealth v. Anderson, 963 N.E.2d 704 (Mass. 2012). · cites it 5× “265, § 15B, and carjacking in violation of G. L. c. 265, § 21A, the jury found that the defendant was an armed career criminal, level three, in violation of G.”

Commonwealth v. Furr, 907 N.E.2d 664 (Mass. 2009). “A defendant’s intent to deprive the victim permanently of his car, which is required for a carjacking conviction, see G. L. c. 265, § 21A; Commonwealth v. McGovern, 397 Mass.”

Commonwealth v. Maurice Johnson., 102 Mass. App. Ct. 195 (Mass. App. Ct. 2023). “The jury acquitted the defendant of armed carjacking, G. L. c. 265, § 21A. [Note 2] The defendant was at liberty on probation when he committed these crimes.”

Commonwealth v. Palmer, 796 N.E.2d 423 (Mass. App. Ct. 2003). “Armed carjacking, G. L. c. 265, § 21A; stealing from a depository, G.”

Commonwealth v. Barnes, 461 Mass. 644 (Mass. 2012). “265, § 13A (b); armed carjacking, G. L. c. 265, § 21A; assault by means of a dangerous weapon, G.”

Commonwealth v. Johnson, 22 N.E.3d 155 (Mass. 2015). “269, § 10 (K); (4) armed carjacking, in violation of G. L. c. 265, § 21A; and (5) armed robbery, in violation of G.”

Commonwealth v. Bynoe, 732 N.E.2d 340 (Mass. App. Ct. 2000). “On January 20, 1998, the defendant was charged by complaint in the Roxbury District Court with carjacking (G. L. c. 265, § 21A), receiving a stolen motor vehicle (G.”

Commonwealth v. Byrd, 755 N.E.2d 785 (Mass. App. Ct. 2001). “The defendant was charged with assault with intent to steal a motor vehicle (“carjacking”), G. L. c. 265, § 21A; assault and battery on a police officer, G.”

Commonwealth v. Lucret, 792 N.E.2d 141 (Mass. App. Ct. 2003). “265, § 15, “carjacking,” G. L. c. 265, § 21A, and assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, G.”

Commonwealth v. Butler, 90 Mass. App. Ct. 599 (Mass. App. Ct. 2016). “1 The defendant was also convicted of armed carjacking, in violation of G. L. c. 265, § 21A; two counts of kidnapping, in violation of G.”

Commonwealth v. Smith, 691 N.E.2d 583 (Mass. App. Ct. 1998). “” G. L. c. 265, § 21A, inserted by St. 1992, c.”

Commonwealth v. Simmarano, 737 N.E.2d 488 (Mass. App. Ct. 2000). “265, § 18C; car-jacking, G. L. c. 265, § 21A; and maliciously damaging a motor vehicle, G.”

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