HF 2472 (LSB 5059HV (1) 89)

HOUSE FILE 2472

BY  COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

(SUCCESSOR TO HF 2226)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to tampering with witnesses or jurors, and providing penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 720.4, Code 2022, is amended to read as follows:
   720.4  Tampering with witnesses or jurors.
   A It shall be unlawful for a person who offers to offer any bribe to any person who the offeror believes has been or may be summoned as a witness or juror in any judicial or arbitration proceeding, or any legislative hearing, or who makes to make any threats toward such person or who forcibly or fraudulently detains detain or restrains restrain such person, with the intent to improperly influence such witness or juror with respect to the witness’ or juror’s testimony or decision in such case, or to prevent such person from testifying or serving in such case, or who, in retaliation for anything lawfully done by any witness or juror in any case, harasses to harass such witness or juror,. A person who violates this section commits an aggravated misdemeanor a class “B” felony.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to tampering with witnesses or jurors, and provides penalties.
   Current law provides that a person who tampers with a witness or juror commits an aggravated misdemeanor. An aggravated misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than two years and a fine of at least $855 but not more than $8,540.
   The bill provides that a person who tampers with a witness or juror commits a class “B” felony. A class “B” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than 25 years.