MA · constitutions
Mass. Const. pt. 1, art. XII
No subject shall be held to answer for any crimes or offence, until the same is fully and plainly, substantially and formally, described to him; or be compelled to accuse, or furnish evidence against himself. And every subject shall have a right to produce all proofs, that may be favorable to him; to meet the witnesses against him face to face, and to be fully heard in his defense by himself, or his council at his election. And no subject shall be arrested, imprisoned, despoiled, or deprived of his property, immunities, or privileges, put out of the protection of the law, exiled, or deprived of his life, liberty, or estate, but by the judgment of his peers, or the law of the land.
And the legislature shall not make any law, that shall subject any person to a capital or infamous punishment, excepting for the government of the army and navy, without trial by jury.
Provenance
- Source
- malegislature.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-09-25
- Edition
- 2026-09-25
- Content hash
753d7d594e8041841960298d1b0b636d8874befdf4e867129f59272804bb6e15
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