Wednesday 12 February 2014

General Information Concerning Witness Tampering

By Eula Nichols


Witness tampering is a kind of legal term. It is usually defined as any threat or harm that has been directed toward witnesses. Usually this is done in an attempt to influence the final testimony and the case. Witness testimony is used by plaintiff and defendant parties in both criminal and civil cases.

Interfering with testimonies is a serious offense. It can disrupt a civil case, as well as criminal prosecution. In order to protect the integrity of a justice system, this type of interference with evidence is considered punishable by law in most regions around the world.

These testimonies are a very important component of proving cases. An example of what role these play in the justice system: an eye witness reports all that he or she has seen before, during or after the event in question. This single report can, in some instances, be all the evidence that is necessary to convict a suspect guilty. It might also be enough to prove that a case against an individual is conclusive.

There is more than one type of witness that may be used in the justice system. Character refers to those who are asked to testify regarding the personality and character of a plaintiff or defendant, while expert types are usually people who have little to no information about the alleged suspects or events. Instead, experts are called on to give their hypotheses or opinion on a topic based on their area of knowledge.

It is helpful to have witnesses to call on. They can be of aid when it comes to recalling events that took place when there are disagreements regarding what occurred. They can also help court or jury when it comes time to decide on whether the crime was committed and by whom.

For these reasons, it is so important that tampering be handled like a major crime. People who are guilty of this may face many different punishments, depending on several factors. In cases where physical threats were made toward witnesses, the consequences are severe. People convicted of this may spend up to 10 years in jail. If physical force was used, the sentencing time could be extended to up to 20 years. Tampering does not need to be successful in order for it to be treated as a crime and people involved to receive punishment.

Generally, tampering is done with the goal to alter or coerce testimony. This is achieved through illegal means, such as threatening the person who will be testifying, as well as his or her friends and family members. The term is also applied in cases where bribery is used for the same purpose. For example, defendants in a criminal or civil case may offer valuables, such as money, to a witness in exchange for a false testimony that is in favor of their case.

In the United States, witness tampering is recognized as a federal crime. It is defined as tampering with informants, victims or witnesses. An individual who is suspected of this may face numerous charges, including bribery, coercion and extortion.




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