# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 233, sec. 5: Penalty for nonattendance; contempt

> Massachusetts · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TII_C233_S5

## Section

- **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 233, sec. 5
- **Heading:** Penalty for nonattendance; contempt
- **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 5

## Text

Section 5. Such failure to attend as a witness before a court, justice of the peace, master in chancery, master or auditor appointed by a court, or the county commissioners, shall also be a contempt of the court, and may be punished, in case of such failure to attend as a witness in a criminal prosecution, by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one month or both, or, in case of any other such failure to attend as aforesaid, by a fine of not more than twenty dollars.

Section 5. Such failure to attend as a witness before a court, justice of the peace, master in chancery, master or auditor appointed by a court, or the county commissioners, shall also be a contempt of the court, and may be punished, in case of such failure to attend as a witness in a criminal prosecution, by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one month or both, or, in case of any other such failure to attend as aforesaid, by a fine of not more than twenty dollars.

## 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_S5. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.