The crime of rape is governed by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 265 Section 22 and generally refers to sexual intercourse, by threat or force, without consent. Rape differs from sexual assault in that penetration, even slightly, is required to be convicted of rape. The crime of rape is much more serious than sexual assault and carries severe punishment of not more than twenty (20) years in state prison.
The punishment is life in state prison or for any term of years if it is a subsequent offense by the offender or if during the commission of the rape, the offender had the intent to kill, maim or disfigure the victim, the offender assaulted the victim with a dangerous weapon, the victim was sixty years or older, the offender robbed the victim, or kidnapped the victim using a dangerous weapon, or the victim was under the age of 16 years. If the offender rapes the victim brandishing a firearm or assault weapon, the minimum jail sentence is fifteen (15) years to life.
Click the link below to read the entire statute:
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section22
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