WATSON COLEMAN/COHEN MEASURE TO INCREASE PENALTIES FOR WITNESS TAMPERING RELEASED BY COMMITTEE

WATSON COLEMAN/COHEN MEASURE TO INCREASE PENALTIES FOR WITNESS TAMPERING RELEASED BY COMMITTEE

(TRENTON) - Legislation Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman and Assemblyman  Neil Cohen sponsored to enable prosecutors and law enforcement to combat gang violence by upgrading the penalties for tampering with witnesses and informants was released today by the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

"We must strengthen law enforcement's leverage on gang members and others who seek to obstruct justice by intimidating witnesses," said Watson Coleman (D-Mercer).  "Allowing law enforcement to throw a bigger book at these criminals is paramount to stopping the senseless violence enveloping our communities."

Under current statute, most of the penalties for tampering with a witness or hindering apprehension are second through fourth-degree offenses. The Watson Coleman/Cohen measure (A-1772), would enhance offenses for tampering with a witness where threat or force was used. Retaliation against a witness or informant which results in serious bodily harm or attempting to bribe a witness could be prosecuted as a first, second or third degree crime. 

"Law enforcement has a tough enough job of putting criminal street-gang members behind bars because too many witnesses are afraid for their lives to step forward in court," said Cohen (D-Union).  "We must send the message that messing with the criminal justice system will not be tolerated."

The committee released the bill - a portion of Governor Jon S. Corzine's three-part crime prevention strategy - by a vote of 5 to 0.  It now heads to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote.

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