MA H1848

Amends Section 87 of Chapter 276 of Massachusetts General Laws to explicitly authorize judges to exercise discretion when placing defendants on probation

Establishes 15 specific factors judges may consider, including: age, education, employment status, military service history, injuries or wounds sustained, and medical/psychological reports

Requires consideration of criminal history factors such as nature and age of past convictions, arrest record, and specifics of the current offense including injuries to victims and victim-defendant relationship

Allows judges to weigh availability of family and community support systems, proposed probation terms, and any other relevant circumstances bearing on pre-trial probation

Filed by Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian (32nd Middlesex) on January 17, 2025; similar legislation was introduced in the 2023-2024 session as House No. 1634