2023 Maryland Statutes
Criminal Law
Title 9 - Crimes Against Public Administration
Subtitle 3 - Obstructing Justice
Section 9-302 - Inducing False Testimony or Avoidance of Subpoena

Universal Citation:
MD. Criminal Law Code § 9-302 (2023)
Learn more This media-neutral citation is based on the American Association of Law Libraries Universal Citation Guide and is not necessarily the official citation.

    (a)    A person may not harm another, threaten to harm another, or damage or destroy property with the intent to:

        (1)    influence a victim or witness to testify falsely or withhold testimony; or

        (2)    induce a victim or witness:

            (i)    to avoid the service of a subpoena or summons to testify;

            (ii)    to be absent from an official proceeding to which the victim or witness has been subpoenaed or summoned; or

            (iii)    not to report the existence of facts relating to a crime or delinquent act.

    (b)    A person may not solicit another person to harm another, threaten to harm another, or damage or destroy property with the intent to:

        (1)    influence a victim or witness to testify falsely or withhold testimony; or

        (2)    induce a victim or witness:

            (i)    to avoid the service of a subpoena or summons to testify;

            (ii)    to be absent from an official proceeding to which the victim or witness has been subpoenaed or summoned; or

            (iii)    not to report the existence of facts relating to a crime or delinquent act.

    (c)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both.

        (2)    If the testimony, subpoena, official proceeding, or report involving the victim or witness relates to a felonious violation of Title 5 of this article or the commission of a crime of violence as defined in § 14–101 of this article, or a conspiracy or solicitation to commit such a crime, a person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 20 years.

    (d)    A sentence imposed under this section may be separate from and consecutive to or concurrent with a sentence for any crime based on the act establishing the violation of this section.

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