Massachusetts General Laws
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 277, § 21 (2026)
Means
✓ text as last checked Sept. 2026 (this copy records no edition or section history)
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Section 21. The means by which a crime is committed need not be alleged in the indictment unless an essential element of the crime.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4
cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1980–2024 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Van Jones, 426 N.E.2d 726 (Mass. App. Ct. 1981).
Commonwealth v. Van Jones, 426 N.E.2d 726 (Mass. App. Ct. 1981). “See also G. L. c. 277, § 21 (“The means by which a crime is committed need not be alleged in the indictment unless an essential element of the crime”).”
Commonwealth v. Rumkin, 773 N.E.2d 988 (Mass. App. Ct. 2002). “489, 490-491 (1981); G. L. c. 277, § 21. See also Commonwealth v.”
Commonwealth v. Harris, 404 N.E.2d 662 (Mass. App. Ct. 1980). “167 (1912); G. L. c. 277, § 21. See also G. L. c. 265, § 17.”
Commonwealth v. Michael Robicheau., 236 N.E.3d 150 (Mass. App. Ct. 2024). “Also, the precise means by which the defendant committed the crime was not alleged in the indictment, and need not be, see G. L. c. 277, § 21, and it was not requested in a bill of particulars.”
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