Assault by means of hypodermic syringe or needle; assault and battery by means of hypodermic syringe or needle
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
(a) Whoever commits an assault upon another, by means of a hypodermic syringe, hypodermic needle, or any instrument adapted for the administration of controlled or other substances by injection, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 10 years or in the house of correction for not more than 2½ years, or by a fine of not more than $1,000, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(b) Whoever commits an assault and battery upon another, by means of a hypodermic syringe, hypodermic needle, or any instrument adapted for the administration of controlled or other substances by injection, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 15 years or in the house of correction for not more than 2½ years, or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Simplified explanation
Assaulting someone with a hypodermic syringe or needle is punishable by up to 10 years in state prison; assault and battery with one carries up to 15 years.