(A) A person commits the offense of tampering with a witness if, with purpose to induce a witness or a prospective witness in an official proceeding to disobey a subpoena or other legal process, or to absent himself or herself or avoid subpoena or other legal process, or to withhold evidence, information, or documents, or to testify falsely, he or she:
(1) Threatens or causes harm to any person or property;
(2) Uses force, threats, or deception;
(3) Offers, confers, or agrees to confer any benefit, direct or indirect, upon such witness; or
(4) Conveys any of the foregoing to another in furtherance of a conspiracy.
(B) A person commits the offense of “victim tampering” if, with purpose to do so, he or she prevents or dissuades or attempts to prevent or dissuade any person who has been a victim of any crime or a person who is acting on behalf of any such victim from:
(1) Making any report of such victimization to any Peace Officer, or state, local, or federal law enforcement officer, or prosecuting agency or to any judge;
(2) Causing a complaint, indictment, or information to be sought and prosecuted or assisting in the prosecution thereof; or
(3) Arresting or causing or seeking the arrest of any person in connection with such victimization.
(Prior Code, § 210.100) Penalty, see § 130.999
Editor’s note:
Under certain circumstances this offense can be a felony under state law