(a) No person shall knowingly attempt to intimidate or hinder the victim of a crime in the filing or prosecution of criminal charges, or a witness in a criminal case in the discharge of his duty.
(b) Division (a) of this section does not apply to any person who is attempting to resolve a dispute pertaining to the alleged commission of a criminal offense, either prior to or subsequent to the filing of a complaint, or who is attempting to arbitrate or assist in the conciliation of any such dispute, either prior to or subsequent to the filing of a complaint.
(c) Whoever violates this section is guilty of intimidation of a crime victim or witness. Violation of division (a) of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree.