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LegislationLEGISLATION | Detail


S. 2127: State Witness Protection Act of 2012

Sponsor: Casey (D - PA)

Official Title: A bill to protect State and local witnesses from tampering and retaliation, and for other purposes

Status:
2/17/2012: Introduced in Senate
2/17/2012: Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee

Commentary:
This bill would create a federal offense to protect witnesses in state and local judicial proceedings. In addition to restrictions regarding physical harm, attempted physical harm, and threats of violence, there are additional non-violent restrictions as well. It would be unlawful to “harass, intimidate or attempt to intimidate, or offer anything of value to, another individual, with the intent to” tamper with or influence the proceedings in several material ways, including delays, withholding testimony or materials or altering materials, for example. The bill establishes the relevant circumstances to include jurisdictional hooks including mail and use of the channels and instrumentalities of interstate commerce. A violation resulting from the conduct proscribed in this bill would be punishable of the greater of a) 20 years imprisonment and a fine under Title 18, U.S. Code and b) the maximum term of imprisonment for any charged offense in the original criminal case. The bill also provides for the United States Sentencing Commission to increase penalties based on particulars of the conduct that would be outlawed in this bill.

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