Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 265, § 37 (2026)

Violations of constitutional rights; punishment

✓ current as of July 2026

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Section 37. No person, whether or not acting under color of law, shall by force or threat of force, willfully injure, intimidate or interfere with, or attempt to injure, intimidate or interfere with, or oppress or threaten any other person in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him by the constitution or laws of the commonwealth or by the constitution or laws of the United States. Any person convicted of violating this provision shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both; and if bodily injury results, shall be punished by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than ten years, or both.

Moneys from the collection of a punishment by fine under this section shall be delivered forthwith to the treasurer of the commonwealth and deposited in the Genocide Education Trust Fund established in section 2MMMMM of chapter 29.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 31 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1984–2026 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Kelly, 25 N.E.3d 288 (Mass. 2015).

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Commonwealth v. Kelly, 25 N.E.3d 288 (Mass. 2015). · cites it 56× “Following a jury trial in the Superior Court, the defendant, Amanda Kelly, was convicted of, among other offenses, a violation of civil rights with bodily injury, G. L. c. 265, § 37, and assault and battery for the purpose of intimidation resulting in bodily injury, G.”

Commonwealth v. Stephens, 515 N.E.2d 606 (Mass. App. Ct. 1987). · cites it 21× “1 See G. L. c. 265, § 37. Represented by new counsel on appeal, the defendant argues (1) that G.”

Redgrave v. Boston Symphony Orchestra, Inc., 502 N.E.2d 1375 (Mass. 1987). · cites it 4× “The Chief Justice's opinion finds support for its conclusion that §§ 11H and 11I contain no state of mind prerequisite for recovery by contrasting those sections with G.L.c. 265, § 37 (1984 ed.), which imposes criminal penalties for civil rights violations and was enacted at the…”

Commonwealth v. Zawatsky, 670 N.E.2d 969 (Mass. App. Ct. 1996). · cites it 8× “265, § 15A), and through the use of force interfering with rights secured by the Constitution or laws of the Commonwealth or the Constitution or laws of the United States (G. L. c. 265, § 37). 2 We conclude that the District Court lacked jurisdiction under G.”

Commonwealth v. Tremblay, 950 N.E.2d 421 (Mass. 2011). · cites it 2× “265, § 39; and a civil rights violation under G. L. c. 265, § 37. The defendant filed a motion to suppress statements that he made to the police during the course of their investigation.”

Commonwealth v. Rotonda, 747 N.E.2d 1199 (Mass. 2001). · cites it 2× “The officer filed a complaint and the defendant was charged with violating the civil rights of another, without bodily injury, pursuant to G. L. c. 265, § 37, and threatening to commit a crime pursuant to G.”

Buster v. George W. Moore, Inc., 438 Mass. 635 (Mass. 2003). “12, §§ 11H and 111 (civil violation to use “threat, intimidation or coercion” to interfere with secured rights) with G. L. c. 265, § 37 (criminal violation to use “force or threat of force” to interfere with secured rights).”

United States Jaycees v. Massachusetts Comm'n Against Discrimination, 463 N.E.2d 1151 (Mass. 1984). · cites it 2× “12, § 11H, appears only to provide a civil remedy against acts of persons that include "threats, intimidation or coercion" in violation of rights secured by State and Federal law.”

O'NEIL v. Daimlerchrysler Corp., 538 F. Supp. 2d 304 (D. Mass. 2008). · cites it 4× “Consequently, the plaintiff has failed to establish that he was actually confined, and the defendants are entitled to summary judgment on O’Neil’s Tenth Cause of Action. G. Twelfth Cause of Action: Violation of Civil Rights In his Twelfth Cause of Action, O’Neil asserts that the…”

Bell v. Mazza, 474 N.E.2d 1111 (Mass. 1985). “12, § 11H; G. L. c. 265, § 37 (‘whether or not acting under the color of law’).”

Carmack v. Nat'l RR Passenger Corp., 486 F. Supp. 2d 58 (D. Mass. 2007). · cites it 2× “12, §§ 11H & 111 and Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 265, § 37 . In particular, Mr.”

Commonwealth v. Welch, 825 N.E.2d 1005 (Mass. 2005). “A third complaint alleged a civil rights violation under G. L. c. 265, § 37 (“No person . . . shall by force or threat of force, willfully injure, intimidate or interfere with .”

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