2020 Massachusetts General Laws
Part IV - Crimes, Punishments and Proceedings in Criminal Cases
Title I - Crimes and Punishments
Chapter 266 - Crimes Against Property
Section 127 - Willful, Malicious or Wanton Destruction or Injury to Personal Property, Dwelling House or Building of Another
Section 127. Whoever destroys or injures the personal property, dwelling house or building of another in any manner or by any means not particularly described or mentioned in this chapter shall, if such destruction or injury is willful and malicious, be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 10 years or by a fine of $3,000 or 3 times the value of the damage caused to the property so destroyed or injured, whichever is greater, and imprisonment in jail for not more than 21/2 years; or if such destruction or injury is wanton, shall be punished by a fine of $1,000 or 3 times the value of the damage to the property so destroyed or injured, whichever is greater, or by imprisonment for not more than 21/2 years; if the value of the damage to the property so destroyed or injured is not alleged to exceed $1,200, the punishment shall be by a fine of 3 times the value of the damage to property or by imprisonment for not more than 21/2years; provided, however, that where a fine is levied pursuant to the value of the damage to the property destroyed or injured, the court shall, after conviction, conduct an evidentiary hearing to ascertain the value of the damage to the property so destroyed or injured. The words ''personal property'', as used in this section, shall also include electronically processed or stored data, either tangible or intangible, and data while in transit.
