Violations of constitutional rights; punishment
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
No person, whether or not acting under color of law, shall by force or threat of force, injure, intimidate or interfere with, or attempt to injure, intimidate or interfere with, or oppress or threaten any other person in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him by the constitution or laws of the commonwealth or by the constitution or laws of the United States. Any person convicted of violating this provision shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both; and if results, shall be punished by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than ten years, or both.
Moneys from the collection of a punishment by fine under this section shall be delivered forthwith to the treasurer of the commonwealth and deposited in the Genocide Education Trust Fund established in section 2MMMMM of chapter 29.
Simplified explanation
Using force or threats to injure, intimidate, or interfere with someone exercising their state or federal legal rights is punishable by up to 1 year, or up to 10 years if bodily injury results.