In civil actions and in proceedings which are instituted by, or in the name of, the commonwealth, and not at the relation, in behalf, or for the use, of a private person, the commonwealth shall be liable for costs as is an individual.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 261, § 14
Actions by state; liability for costs
Official source: Massachusetts Legislature. Reproduced from public-domain Massachusetts statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.