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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2180 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1162
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Jason M. Lewis
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to judicial discretion for probation.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Jason M. LewisFifth Middlesex 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2180 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1162
By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1162) of Jason M. Lewis for
legislation relative to judicial discretion for probation. The Judiciary.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1028 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act relative to judicial discretion for probation.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Section 87 of chapter 276 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the
2following paragraph:-
3 A judge may exercise discretion in placing a defendant on probation and consider the
4following:
5 (i) age;
6 (ii) nature of the defendant’s military service, if any;
7 (iii) education;
8 (iv) injuries or wounds sustained;
9 (v) military discipline record, if the defendant served in the military; 2 of 2
10 (vi) past and current medical status;
11 (vii) family and medical psychological reports;
12 (viii) nature of past criminal convictions, if any;
13 (ix) age of previous criminal convictions, if any convictions occurred; and
14 (x) employment status.