Statutes on Witness Tampering
- Under the U.S. criminal code, it's clearly stated that any person who kills another person with the intention of preventing him from giving testimony in an official proceeding shall be punished by death or life imprisonment if the courts find him guilty of first degree murder. If the person is charged with second degree murder, he shall be liable for a specified number of years in jail or perhaps even a life sentence.
- The law also states the punishment for any person who uses physical force or threat of physical force against another person with the intention of interfering with evidence that's to be presented in official proceedings. The punishment is a prison term of not more than 30 years. In the case of a minor threat without physical harm, the accused may serve a prison term of not more than 20 years.
- The law says that any person who corruptly persuades a witness with the intention of interfering with the evidence or make the witness not attend an official hearing to which that person has been summoned to give evidence shall be fined depending on the offense. The person shall be liable for an imprisonment of not more than 20 years or a fine. In some cases, the court can impose both a fine and a jail term.
- The law states that any person who destroys or conceals records or documents or any other object with the intention of impairing or tampering with a witness to weaken a case or otherwise obstructs the release of evidence will be fined or imprisoned for a period not exceeding 20 years. He can also receive both a fine and a jail term. The law also requires that any person who intentionally harasses another person thereby hindering or delaying the release of evidence or attempts to do so be fined or be imprisoned for a period not exceeding 3 years or both.