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General Laws

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Section 1Issuance of summonses for witnesses
Section 2Service of summons
Section 3Witness fees; payment or tender
Section 3ARepresentation of commissioner of banks
Section 4Liability for nonattendance
Section 5Penalty for nonattendance; contempt
Section 6Warrant for nonattending witness
Section 7Witnesses before executive council
Section 8Bodies authorized to summon witnesses; oath
Section 9Warrant for witness failing to attend before nonjudicial tribunal
Section 10Enforcing attendance before nonjudicial tribunal
Section 11Requiring testimony
Section 12Summons for attendance at criminal trial outside state
Section 13Penalty for nonattendance outside state
Section 13AAttendance of witnesses outside state; hearing and summons; failure to attend
Section 13BAttendance of witness from another state; fees; failure to attend
Section 13CExemption from arrest and process of witnesses from outside state
Section 13DShort title; construction of law
Section 14Persons authorized to administer oaths
Section 15Mode of administering oaths
Section 16Mode requested by affiant
Section 17Affirmation by Quakers
Section 18Affirmation for reasons of conscience
Section 19Oaths of non-Christians
Section 20Competency of witnesses; husband and wife; criminal defendant; parent and child
Section 20APrivileged communications; communications with clergymen
Section 20BPrivileged communications; patients and psychotherapists; exceptions
Section 20CImmunity from prosecution; privilege against self-incrimination
Section 20DCrimes subject to immunity
Section 20EApplication for witness immunity by attorney general or district attorney; hearing; representation of witness; notice or waiver; transcript
Section 20FRepealed, 1998, 188, Sec. 5
Section 20GScope of immunity; copies of transcript of testimony compelled and documents furnished; availability to witness
Section 20HContempt of court; punishment; appeal
Section 20INecessity of corroborating testimony of, or evidence produced by, person granted immunity
Section 20JSexual assault; confidential communications with sexual assault counsellor; disclosure; discovery
Section 20KDomestic violence victims’ counselors; confidential communications
Section 20LConfidentiality of domestic violence victims’ program and rape crisis center locations
Section 20MDisclosure of confidential communication regarding human trafficking victim by caseworker
Section 21Proof of conviction of crime to affect credibility
Section 21AEvidence of reputation
Section 21BEvidence of sex crime victim’s sexual conduct; admission hearing; findings
Section 22Cross-examination of adverse party; corporation’s agent as adverse party
Section 23Impeachment of party’s own witness
Section 23AAdmissibility of written or recorded statements of party to personal injury action
Section 23BAccused; statements made while undergoing psychiatric examination; admissibility
Section 23CWork product of mediator confidential; confidential communications; exception; mediator defined
Section 23DAdmissibility of benevolent statements, writings or gestures relating to accident victims
Section 23EAlternative procedure for determining competency of witnesses with an intellectual disability
Section 23FAdmissibility of past physical, sexual or psychological abuse of defendant
Section 24Depositions in civil cases authorized
Section 24AMedical witnesses
Section 25Grounds for deposition
Section 26Notice of taking deposition
Section 27Persons on whom notice may be served
Section 28Mode of service
Section 29Verbal notice; waiver of notice, etc.
Section 30Oath and examination of deponent
Section 31Order of examination
Section 32Mode of taking deposition
Section 33Certification of deposition
Section 34Delivery and preservation of deposition
Section 35Exclusion of deposition
Section 36Objections to deposition
Section 37Use of deposition in second action
Section 38Compelling giving of deposition; place
Section 39Place of taking deposition of nonresident found within commonwealth
Section 40Rules for taking depositions
Section 41Taking deposition outside commonwealth
Section 42Written interrogatories; notice to adverse party; production of documents
Section 43Rules for taking depositions outside of commonwealth
Section 44Foreign depositions obtained contrary to statute
Section 45Deposition for use in another state
Section 46Application to take deposition to perpetuate testimony
Section 47Notice of taking deposition; compelling testimony
Section 48Objections to taking deposition; procedure
Section 49Mode of taking deposition
Section 50Recording deposition
Section 51Use of deposition in action
Section 52Perpetuation of testimony of nonresidents
Section 53Application to perpetuate testimony of nonresidents
Section 54Notice of taking deposition
Section 55Issuance of commission
Section 56Written interrogatories
Section 57Rules for perpetuation of testimony of witnesses without commonwealth
Section 58Use of deposition
Section 59Perpetuation of testimony for use against all persons
Section 60Application for deposition
Section 61Naming persons interested; notice of taking deposition
Section 62Recording deposition
Section 63Use of deposition against any person
Section 64Admissibility of dying declaration of woman
Section 65Admissibility of declaration of decedent
Section 65AAdmissibility of deceased party’s answers to interrogatories
Section 66Evidence in actions against an executor or administrator
Section 67General rule
Section 68Proof of signature
Section 69Records of courts of other states or United States
Section 70Judicial notice of foreign law
Section 71, 72Repealed, 1926, 168, Sec. 2
Section 73Foreign oaths and affidavits
Section 74Evidence of acts of incorporation
Section 75Admissibility of printed copies of acts of legislative and administrative bodies
Section 76Admissibility of authenticated records of governmental departments
Section 76AAuthenticated copies of documents filed with securities and exchange commission
Section 76BPrinted copies of schedules, classifications and tariffs filed with interstate commerce commission
Section 77Authenticated copies of records of banks and trust companies
Section 77ABank account statement together with legible copy of check; prima facie proof of payment
Section 78Entry, writing or record made in regular course of business; impeachment
Section 79Records and copies of records of hospitals and certain institutions; admissibility in evidence
Section 79ACertified copies of public and private records
Section 79BFact statements published for persons in particular occupation
Section 79CStatements of fact or opinion in scientific publication; notice of intention to use
Section 79DPhotographic copies of newspaper in library; prints from photographic films
Section 79EReproductions of public or business records
Section 79FProof of public way
Section 79GMedical and hospital services; evidence
Section 79HTort actions for personal injuries or death; admissibility of reports of deceased physicians
Section 79IActions to recover from insurer for theft of personal property from motor vehicle or trailer; prima facie evidence of forcible entry into vehicle
Section 79JBusiness records required to be produced in court; certification, admissibility and inspection; copies
Section 79KDuplicate of computer data file or program file; admissibility
Section 79LStatements or conduct expressing regret, apology, condolence by health care provider; admissibility
Section 80Transcripts from stenographic notes
Section 81Criminal proceedings; out-of-court statements describing sexual contact; admissibility
Section 82Civil proceedings; out-of-court statements describing sexual contact; admissibility
Section 83Custody hearings; out-of-court statements describing sexual contact; admissibility

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