Section 12. In actions under this chapter, the trial shall be by the court without a jury. In an action to establish paternity, the court shall, upon request of any party, exclude the general public from the room where the trial is held and may admit only persons directly interested in the case, including officers of the court and witnesses.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations
Title III - Domestic Relations
Chapter 209c - Children Born Out of Wedlock
Section 1 - Declaration of Purpose; Definition; Responsibility for Support
Section 6 - Presumption of Paternity; Mandatory Joinder
Section 7 - Representation in Paternity Actions; Appointment of Counsel; Burden of Proof
Section 8 - Judgment of Paternity; Age of Father; Notice
Section 10 - Award of Custody; Criteria
Section 12 - Trial; Exclusion of Public
Section 13 - Inspection of Documents; Copies; Segregation of Records
Section 14 - Complaints Brought Prior to Birth
Section 17 - Genetic Marker Tests; Affidavit; Refusal to Submit to Test; Costs
Section 18 - Judgments or Orders of Support; Enforcement
Section 19 - Judgment or Temporary Order of Support; Enforcement
Section 20 - Modification of Judgments; Jurisdiction
Section 21 - Action to Determine Mother and Child Relationship
Section 22 - Proceedings Barred Under This Chapter