# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 2: Refusing or neglecting to depart or to assist in suppressing assembly or in arresting persons

> Massachusetts · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S2

## Section

- **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 2
- **Heading:** Refusing or neglecting to depart or to assist in suppressing assembly or in arresting persons
- **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MA Code / Part IV / Title I / Chapter 269 / Section 2

## Text

Section 2. Whoever, being present and being so commanded to assist in arresting such rioters or persons so unlawfully assembled, or in suppressing such riot or unlawful assembly, refuses or neglects to obey such command, or, if required by such magistrate or officer to depart from the place, refuses or neglects so to do, shall be considered one of the rioters or persons unlawfully assembled, and shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than one year or by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars or more than five hundred dollars, or both.

Section 2. Whoever, being present and being so commanded to assist in arresting such rioters or persons so unlawfully assembled, or in suppressing such riot or unlawful assembly, refuses or neglects to obey such command, or, if required by such magistrate or officer to depart from the place, refuses or neglects so to do, shall be considered one of the rioters or persons unlawfully assembled, and shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than one year or by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars or more than five hundred dollars, or both.

## Nearby sections

- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 1 Dispensing and suppressing unlawful assembly; arresting persons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S1.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 2 Refusing or neglecting to depart or to assist in suppressing assembly or in arresting persons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S2.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 3 Neglect or refusal to exercise authority to suppress assembly](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S3.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 4 Requiring aid; dispersing and suppressing assembly; seizure of persons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S4.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 5 Armed forces obeying orders for suppressing riot and dispersing and arresting persons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S5.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 6 Person killed or wounded as result of an assembly; guilt and responsibility](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S6.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 7 Injury to building or vessel by persons unlawfully assembled](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S7.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 8 Destruction of or damage to property by persons riotously assembled; liability of town](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S8.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 10 Carrying dangerous weapons; possession of machine gun or sawed-off shotguns; possession of large capacity weapon or large capacity feeding device; punishment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S10.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 10A Selling, giving or using silencers; confiscation and destruction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S10A.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 10C Tear gas; use in commission of crimes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S10C.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 10D Body armor; use in commission of crime](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S10D.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 10E Firearms sales, distributions or transfers; penalties; eligibility for probation, parole, furlough or work release](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S10E.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 10F Illegal sale, gifts or transfer of large capacity weapons or large capacity feeding devices; punishment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S10F.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S2. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.