Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 273 - Desertion, Non-Support and Illegitimacy
Section 21 - Venue; Complainants

Section 21. Proceedings under the preceding section shall be begun, if in the superior court, in the county in which is situated the place where the defendant or the parent lives, and, if begun in a district court, in the court having such place within its judicial district. Complaints in district courts under the preceding section may be made by any such parent, by any child of such parent or by the department of public welfare.

Structure Massachusetts General Laws

Massachusetts General Laws

Part IV - Crimes, Punishments and Proceedings in Criminal Cases

Title I - Crimes and Punishments

Chapter 273 - Desertion, Non-Support and Illegitimacy

Section 1 - Abandonment and Nonsupport; Failure to Comply With Support Order; Decree Establishing Rights of Spouse as Prima Facie Evidence

Section 2 - Jurisdiction; Venue; Supervision of Parent by Municipal or District Court Probation Officers

Section 3 - Payment of Fines

Section 6 - Recognizance on Release on Probation; Compliance With Judgment or Order for Support; Forfeiture

Section 7 - Evidence of Marriage and Parentage; Husband and Wife as Witnesses; Self Incrimination; Evidence of Wilfulness; Confidential Communications

Section 8 - Lack of Custody as Defence; Duty to Support Child

Section 10 - Uniform Construction

Section 15 - Duty to Support Child Born Out of Wedlock; Conclusiveness of Adjudication or Acknowledgment of Paternity

Section 15a - Abandonment and Willful Nonsupport; Penalties; Alternative Sentencing; Restitution

Section 15b - Receiving, Concealing or Transferring Assets for the Purpose of Avoiding Payment; Penalty

Section 16 - Proceedings Under Secs. 1 and 15

Section 17 - Dismissal of Case

Section 18 - Money Forfeited or Recovered Upon Recognizance or Deposit Used for Support

Section 18a - Support Obligations Under Prior Law; Enforcement; Insurance Coverage; Amended Orders

Section 20 - Neglect or Refusal to Support Parent

Section 21 - Venue; Complainants

Section 22 - Orders; Applicability of Secs. 1 to 10 of This Chapter

Section 23 - Needy Disabled Persons; Neglect or Refusal of Parents to Support; Penalty