Mass. Gen. Laws » Part IV Title II Chapter 277
Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 277, § 55 (2026)

Compensation of counsel of prisoner

✓ text as last checked Sept. 2026 (this copy records no edition or section history)
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Section 55. A justice of the court, sitting at the trial or other proceedings upon an indictment for murder, may allow reasonable compensation for the services of counsel assigned to defend the prisoner if he is otherwise unable to procure counsel, and such compensation shall be paid by the county where the indictment is found.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1967–2026 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Salim, 503 N.E.2d 1267 (Mass. 1987).
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Commonwealth v. Salim, 503 N.E.2d 1267 (Mass. 1987). “Trial counsel was appointed by a Superior Court judge under G. L. c. 277, § 55 (1984 ed.), which provides that a judge sitting upon an indictment for murder may allow reasonable compensation for the services of assigned counsel if the defendant is otherwise unable to procure…”
Grady v. Treasurer of the Cnty. of Worcester, 227 N.E.2d 490 (Mass. 1967). · cites it 2× “3 During this time, this court had not discussed its possible authority to allow counsel fees, it being the custom of assigned counsel to serve without compensation as a part of their professional obligations.”
Elwood v. State Tax Comm'n, 338 N.E.2d 812 (Mass. 1975). “Thus counsel point out that lawyer’s fees are spoken of as “compensation” in G. L. c. 277, § 55 (reasonable compensation for assigned counsel), as are allowances to executors, administrators, guardians, conservators, or trustees in G.”
Comm. for Pub. Couns. Servs. v. Middlesex & Suffolk Cnty. Dist. Courts, No. SJC 13824 (Mass. Mar. 16, 2026). “394, §§ 1, 2 (currently codified as G. L. c. 277, §§ 55, 56). 4 See St. 1893, c.”
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