# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 233, sec. 1: Issuance of summonses for witnesses

> Massachusetts · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TII_C233_S1

## Section

- **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 233, sec. 1
- **Heading:** Issuance of summonses for witnesses
- **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MA Code / Part III / Title II / Chapter 233 / Section 1

## Text

Section 1. A clerk of a court of record, a notary public or a justice of the peace may issue summonses for witnesses in all cases pending before courts, magistrates, auditors, referees, arbitrators or other persons authorized to examine witnesses, and at all hearings upon applications for complaints wherein a person may be charged with the commission of a crime; but a notary public or a justice of the peace shall not issue summonses for witnesses in criminal cases except upon request of the attorney general, district attorney or other person who acts in the case in behalf of the commonwealth or of the defendant. If the summons is issued at the request of the defendant that fact shall be stated therein. The summons shall be in the form heretofore adopted and commonly used, but may be altered from time to time like other writs.

Section 1. A clerk of a court of record, a notary public or a justice of the peace may issue summonses for witnesses in all cases pending before courts, magistrates, auditors, referees, arbitrators or other persons authorized to examine witnesses, and at all hearings upon applications for complaints wherein a person may be charged with the commission of a crime; but a notary public or a justice of the peace shall not issue summonses for witnesses in criminal cases except upon request of the attorney general, district attorney or other person who acts in the case in behalf of the commonwealth or of the defendant. If the summons is issued at the request of the defendant that fact shall be stated therein. The summons shall be in the form heretofore adopted and commonly used, but may be altered from time to time like other writs.

## Nearby sections

- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 233, sec. 1 Issuance of summonses for witnesses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TII_C233_S1.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 233, sec. 2 Service of summons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TII_C233_S2.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 233, sec. 3 Witness fees; payment or tender](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TII_C233_S3.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 233, sec. 3A Representation of commissioner of banks](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TII_C233_S3A.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 233, sec. 4 Liability for nonattendance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TII_C233_S4.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 233, sec. 5 Penalty for nonattendance; contempt](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TII_C233_S5.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 233, sec. 6 Warrant for nonattending witness](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TII_C233_S6.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 233, sec. 7 Witnesses before executive council](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TII_C233_S7.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 233, sec. 8 Bodies authorized to summon witnesses; oath](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TII_C233_S8.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 233, sec. 9 Warrant for witness failing to attend before nonjudicial tribunal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TII_C233_S9.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 233, sec. 10 Enforcing attendance before nonjudicial tribunal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TII_C233_S10.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 233, sec. 11 Requiring testimony](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TII_C233_S11.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 233, sec. 12 Summons for attendance at criminal trial outside state](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TII_C233_S12.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 233, sec. 13 Penalty for nonattendance outside state](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TII_C233_S13.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TII_C233_S1. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.