Section 18C Entry of dwelling place; persons present within; weapons; punishment

Section 18C of Massachusetts General law defines the criminal penalties for being convicted of the crime of home invasion as follows:

Whoever knowingly enters the dwelling place of another knowing or having reason to know that one or more persons are present within or knowingly enters the dwelling place of another and remains in such dwelling place knowing or having reason to know that one or more persons are present within while armed with a dangerous weapon, uses force or threatens the imminent use of force upon any person within such dwelling place whether or not injury occurs, or intentionally causes any injury to any person within such dwelling place shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for life or for any term of not less than twenty years.

Home Invasion Charges: How We Can Help

Source: Massachusetts General Law: Home Invasion Penalties