Massachusetts § 2 - Payment of certain fines and forfeitures; apportionment among beneficiaries
Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 2 — Payment of certain fines and forfeitures; apportionment among beneficiaries, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 2. Payment of certain fines and forfeitures; apportionment among beneficiaries
Section 2. A fine or forfeiture imposed by a court shall, except as otherwise provided, be paid over to the state treasurer. Twenty per cent of the fines imposed under the provisions of chapter three hundred and fifty-four of the acts of nineteen hundred and fifty-two shall be paid over to the state treasurer. If the whole or any part of a fine is by law payable to a complainant or informant or to a person or corporation as beneficiary, the court may apportion the fine or forfeiture between such complainant, informant or other beneficiary and the commonwealth, respectively.
Fines imposed under the provisions of chapters eighty-nine and ninety, including fines, penalties and assessments imposed under the provisions of chapter ninety C for the violation of the provisions of chapters eighty-nine and ninety, fines assessed by a hearing officer of a city or town as defined in sections twenty A and twenty A1/2 of chapter ninety and forfeitures imposed under the provisions of section one hundred and forty-one of chapter one hundred and forty, shall be paid over to the treasury of the city or town wherein the offense was committed; provided, however, that only fifty per cent of the amount of fines, penalties and assessments collected for violations of section seventeen of chapter ninety or of a special speed regulation lawfully made under the authority of section eighteen of said chapter ninety shall be paid over to the treasury of the city or town wherein the offense was committed and the remaining fifty per cent shall be paid over to the state treasurer and credited to the Highway Fund.
Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 2
What does Massachusetts General Laws § 2 cover?
Section 2 ("Payment of certain fines and forfeitures; apportionment among beneficiaries") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Massachusetts § 2?
A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 2" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.
How does Massachusetts § 2 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.