Constitution of Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Constitution, adopted in 1780, is the fundamental legal framework that establishes how the state is governed. It outlines the organization of government into three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—ensuring a system of checks and balances. It guarantees rights to citizens, such as free speech and due process, and sets the rules for making laws and managing public resources. As one of the oldest written constitutions still in effect, it provides the foundation for Massachusetts' laws and government operations, balancing authority with protections for individual rights.