H.F. 399 Section 1. Section 720.4, Code 2023, is amended to read as 1 follows: 2 720.4 Tampering with witnesses or jurors. 3 A person who offers any bribe to any person who the offeror 4 believes has been or may be summoned as a witness or juror in 5 any judicial or arbitration proceeding, or any legislative 6 hearing, or who makes any threats toward such person or who 7 forcibly or fraudulently detains or restrains such person, with 8 the intent to improperly influence such witness or juror with 9 respect to the witness’ or juror’s testimony or decision in 10 such case, or to prevent such person from testifying or serving 11 in such case, or who, in retaliation for anything lawfully done 12 by any witness or juror in any case, harasses such witness or 13 juror, commits an aggravated misdemeanor a class “C” felony . 14 EXPLANATION 15 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 16 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 17 This bill relates to tampering with witnesses or jurors. 18 Current law provides that a person who offers a bribe, 19 makes threats, or improperly detains or restrains another 20 person who the person believes has been or will be summoned as 21 a witness or juror in any judicial or arbitration proceeding 22 or legislative hearing for the purpose of influencing or 23 preventing the other person’s testimony or preventing the 24 other person from serving as a juror on the case, commits an 25 aggravated misdemeanor. The bill increases the penalty for 26 tampering with a witness or juror to a class “C” felony. 27 An aggravated misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for 28 no more than two years and a fine of at least $855 but not more 29 than $8,540. A class “C” felony is punishable by confinement 30 for no more than 10 years and a fine of at least $1,370 but not 31 more than $13,660. 32 -1- LSB 2040HV (1) 90 as/rh 1/ 1