Tampering With Witnesses And Informants; Retaliation Against Them (N.J.S.A. 2C:28-5) is an extremely serious allegation in New Jersey, and can result in significant criminal penalties if you’re convicted of the charge. The crime can be graded a number of ways, including:
- Witness tampering in connection with the investigation or prosecution of a variety of serious felonies, using force or threat of force, crime of the first degree. You may face a prison sentence of 10 years or more if convicted, and fines of $200,000.
- Witness tampering involving force or the threat of force, second degree crime. You can face a five to 10 year sentence and fines of $150,000.
- Witness tampering in all other types of cases, and lacking an element of force or threats of force, is a crime of the third degree. Penalties include a three to five year prison sentence and fines of up to $15,000.
- Retaliation against witnesses or informants, where force or threat of force is used, is a crime of the second degree. Five to 10 years if convicted, and fines of $150,000.
- Retaliation against witnesses or informants, no force or threat of force, is a crime of the third degree. Three to five years in prison and fines of $15,000.
- Bribing a witness or informant, or attempting to bribe a witness or informant, is a crime of the second degree, with a five to 10 year sentence possible and fines of up to $150,000.
This is a complicated statute that prosecutors take especially seriously, because witness tampering is so corrosive to the fair practice of our criminal justice system. If you’ve been charged with Tampering With Witnesses And Informants in New Jersey at any level, call Matthew Reisig today at 732-625-9661 and talk to an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney for free.