Tampering with a Witness Law and Legal Definition
Title 18 U.S.C. section 1512, makes it a Federal crime for anyone to use intimidation or physical force to threaten another with the intention of influencing testimony of a witness in any Court proceeding. Influencing here refers to the act for the purpose of getting the testimony of the witness changed in some way. However, it is not necessary to prove that a witnesss testimony was changed in any way. A person is found guilty of the offense of tampering if all conditions are proved beyond reasonable doubt.
- That the person was scheduled to be a witness in a court proceeding.
- That the person used physical force or threat of physical force against such witness; and
- That the person did so knowingly and willfully in an attempt to influence testimony of a witness.
