Section 7. A person shall not be held to answer on a second indictment or complaint for a crime of which he has been acquitted upon the facts and merits; but he may plead such acquittal in bar of any subsequent prosecution for the same crime, notwithstanding any defect in the form or substance of the indictment or complaint on which he was acquitted.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part IV - Crimes, Punishments and Proceedings in Criminal Cases
Title I - Crimes and Punishments
Chapter 263 - Rights of Persons Accused of Crime
Section 1 - Nature of Crime; Right to Be Informed; Penalty
Section 1a - Fingerprinting and Photographing; Contents of Record; Audits
Section 2 - Arrest on False Pretense; Penalty
Section 3 - False Imprisonment; Actions Against Officers
Section 4 - Prosecution of Crimes; Manner
Section 4a - Waiver of Indictment; Procedure
Section 5 - Counsel; Right of Accused
Section 5a - Driving While Intoxicated; Right to Medical Examination; Notice
Section 6 - Conviction; Manner; Waiver of Jury Trial
Section 7 - Acquittal; Effect on Subsequent Charges
Section 8 - Acquittal on Defective Pleadings; Subsequent Indictment