Section 7. A defendant in a criminal prosecution, relying for his justification upon a license, appointment, admission to practice as an attorney at law, or authority, shall prove the same; and, until so proved, the presumption shall be that he is not so authorized.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part IV - Crimes, Punishments and Proceedings in Criminal Cases
Title II - Proceedings in Criminal Cases
Chapter 278 - Trials and Proceedings Before Judgment
Section 1 - Trial List of Criminal Cases, Adding Cases to List
Section 2 - Trial of Issues of Fact
Section 5 - Affirmation of Jurors
Section 7 - Burden to Prove License or Admission to Practice as Attorney at Law
Section 8 - Justification in Libel Cases
Section 8a - Killing or Injuring a Person Unlawfully in a Dwelling; Defense
Section 9 - Proof of Ownership of Property
Section 10 - Night Time; Definition
Section 11a - Habitual Criminals; Separate Trial on Issue of Prior Conviction
Section 12 - Acquittal of Part of Crime and Conviction of Residue
Section 14 - Liability for Fees of Person Acquitted
Section 15 - Discontinuance of Prosecution Under By-Laws, Ordinances, Etc.
Section 16 - Assignment of Counsel for Inmates of Institutions for Reformation of Juvenile Offenders
Section 16a - Exclusion of Public From Trial for Sex Offenses Involving Minors Under Age of Eighteen
Section 16b - Exclusion of Public From Trial of Criminal Proceeding Involving Husband and Wife
Section 16c - Exclusion of Public From Trial Involving Crime of Incest or Rape
Section 23 - Certain Acts or Omissions by Defendant Not Admissible Against Him in Criminal Trial
Section 28 - Appeal to Supreme Judicial Court
Section 28a - Appellate Division of Superior Court for Review of Sentences
Section 28c - Amendment of Judgment; Resentencing or Other Disposition
Section 28e - Appeals by Commonwealth
Section 29b - Withdrawal of Uncounseled Guilty Plea
Section 33e - Capital Cases; Review by Supreme Judicial Court