Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 275, § 4 (2026)

Punishment; recognizance to keep the peace

✓ current as of July 2026

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Section 4. If the person complained of is convicted, he may be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months. Instead of imposing sentence, the court or justice may order the person complained of to enter into a recognizance, with sufficient sureties, in such sum as the court or justice orders, to keep the peace toward all the people of the commonwealth, and especially toward the person requiring such security, for such term, not exceeding six months, as the court or justice may order. The court or justice may, for good cause, revoke such order or reduce the amount of the recognizance, or order that it be taken without surety.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 1 case, 2008–2008 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Powers, 896 N.E.2d 644 (Mass. App. Ct. 2008).

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Commonwealth v. Powers, 896 N.E.2d 644 (Mass. App. Ct. 2008). “The defendant argues that the threats statute, G. L. c. 275, § 4, prohibits a judge from imposing a probationary term greater than six months.”

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