🎯 Purpose:

In this course, you’ll be asked to analyze real criminal cases and apply Massachusetts law. To do this accurately, you need to know how to locate and interpret the definition and legal elements of specific crimes.

This page will walk you through where to find Massachusetts laws, how to identify the elements a prosecutor must prove, and how to cite your sources correctly in assignments.

🔎 Step 1: Locate the Criminal Statute

Every Massachusetts criminal law begins in the Massachusetts General Laws (MGL). These are official laws passed by the state legislature.

For example, manslaughter is found under:

👉 MGL Chapter 265, Section 13
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section13

This statute tells you:

The name of the crime (e.g., Manslaughter)
The possible penalties (e.g., imprisonment or fines)

⚠️ Important Note:
Statutes often do not include the full legal definition or breakdown of what the prosecution must prove in court. That’s where jury instructions come in.

⚖️ Step 2: Use the Massachusetts Model Jury Instructions

To fully understand a crime in Massachusetts, you must look at the Model Jury Instructions. These are used by judges to explain the law to jurors and outline the specific legal elements of each offense.

For example, the crime of Involuntary Manslaughter is defined in:

👉 MA Model Jury Instructions on Homicide – Section VII
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/model-jury-instructions-on-homicide-vii-involuntary-manslaughter

This source explains:

What qualifies as wanton or reckless conduct
How the act must be the cause of death
What legal standards the jury uses to decide guilt

✅ Use these instructions to identify:

The intent requirement
Any causation requirements
Any specific conduct that must be proven

📚 Optional (For Deeper Legal Background):

If you want to strengthen your analysis or understand the history behind certain legal standards, look at Massachusetts case law, such as:

Commonwealth v. Welansky (1944) – Defines wanton and reckless conduct

You can find case summaries using trusted legal sites like:

FindLaw
Justia
Massachusetts SJC Opinions

📝 How to Cite Your Sources in Assignments

In your video or written assignments, refer to your sources clearly. Here are a few examples:

"According to the Massachusetts jury instructions on involuntary manslaughter..."
(MGL c. 265 §13)
"The Model Jury Instructions explain that the prosecution must prove the conduct was wanton or reckless..."

You may cite sources verbally in video presentations or display them briefly on screen using APA format.

✅ Summary: What You Need to Know

Type of Source	What It Tells You	Where to Find It
Massachusetts General Laws (MGL)	Official crime name & penalties	https://malegislature.gov
MA Model Jury Instructions	Legal definitions and required elements	https://www.mass.gov/law-library/model-jury-instructions-on-homicide
Case Law	Interprets law; adds examples	FindLaw, Justia

If you have questions about how to apply a statute or instruction to a specific case, please contact me.