Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 272, § 54 (2026)

Apprehension for certain offences, without warrant; custody

✓ current as of July 2026

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Section 54. Whoever is found in a public way or other public place, committing any offence or disorder set forth in sections fifty-three and fifty-three A, may be apprehended by a sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable or police officer or by any other person by the order of a magistrate or any of said officers, without a warrant and be kept in custody for not more than twenty-four hours, Sundays and legal holidays excepted, until he can be taken before a court or trial justice having jurisdiction of such offence.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 5 cases, 1983–2016 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Vick, 90 Mass. App. Ct. 622 (Mass. App. Ct. 2016).

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Commonwealth v. Vick, 90 Mass. App. Ct. 622 (Mass. App. Ct. 2016). “8 See also G. L. c. 272, § 54 (authority to arrest for offense).”

Commonwealth v. Skea, 470 N.E.2d 385 (Mass. App. Ct. 1984). “276, § 28; G. L. c. 272, §§ 54, 59, 60), pretext searches, not based on genuine and reasonable concern for concealed weapons or destruction of evidence, were the evil intended to be curbed.”

Commonwealth v. Peters, 705 N.E.2d 1118 (Mass. 1999). “265, § 13H), and one charge of indecent exposure, G. L. c. 272, § 54. As to the other charges on which the sufficiency of its proof is questioned, the Commonwealth has conceded a lack of adequate evidence, and we shall enter judgment on these charges for the defendant.”

Dupree v. Sch. Comm. of Boston, 446 N.E.2d 1099 (Mass. App. Ct. 1983). “Although there is considerable force in the plaintiff's argument, adopted by the trial judge, that such an indictment is incongruous with the position of trust held by a deputy sheriff, see G.L.c. 272, § 54, see also Massachusetts Bar Assn.”

Dupree v. Sch. Comm., 446 N.E.2d 1099 (Mass. App. Ct. 1983). “Although there is considerable force in the plaintiff’s argument, adopted by the trial judge, that such an indictment is incongruous with the position of trust held by a deputy sheriff, see G. L. c. 272, § 54; see also Massachusetts Bar Assn.”

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