Recording Laws
All-Party Consent Required
Massachusetts is an all-party consent state with strong protections. All parties must consent to secret recording. Recording police in public is generally protected.
Statute: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 272, § 99
Can Record Police: Yes (in public)
Penalties: Felony; up to 5 years imprisonment; civil liability
Stop and Identify
No ID Requirement
No state statute requiring identification
Immigration Policy
Has Sanctuary Cities
No statewide sanctuary law, but multiple cities have sanctuary policies.
ICE Cooperation: Limited
Sanctuary Cities:
BostonCambridgeSomervilleNewtonNorthampton
State Resources
State Bar Association
https://www.massbar.org/Legal Aid
https://www.masslegalhelp.org/Remember in Massachusetts
- ✓ You always have the right to remain silent
- ✓ You can record police in public spaces
- ✓ You do not have to consent to a search
- ✓ If arrested, say "I want a lawyer"
- ! Massachusetts is an all-party consent state for recording private conversations