720 ILCS 5/32-4c – Witness Tampering (Accepting Payment in Exchange for Testimony)
This law says that a witness cannot take money or benefits for giving information or testimony in a criminal case.
This law makes it illegal for someone who might testify in a criminal case to accept money or gifts for information or testimony. It also explains when payment is allowed, like paying experts or reporters for their work.
(a) A person who has been named as someone who might testify in a criminal case cannot knowingly take or receive any kind of payment or benefit in return for sharing information learned from witnessing an event or knowing facts about the case.
(b) Sentence: Breaking this law is a Class B misdemeanor. The judge may give a fine that is up to three times the amount of money or benefits the person took or asked for.
(c) This rule stays in effect until the court gives its final decision or the jury gives its verdict in the case.
(d) This rule does not apply when the payments are legal. The following are allowed:
- (1) Payment to expert witnesses, investigators, employees, or agents working for a lawyer, prosecutor, or police agency.
- (2) Payment or benefits given legally to an informant by a prosecutor or police agency.
- (2.5) Payment or benefits given legally to an informant under crime tip programs like Crime Stoppers or We-Tip that help solve or prevent crimes.
- (2.6) Payment or rewards given legally by one private person to another for helping police arrest and convict certain offenders.
- (3) Payment to reporters, editors, or others who work for news or media groups for sharing information from another person about a crime.
(e) “Publishing or media outlet” means any news group that sells or shares news to newspapers, radio, or TV stations, or a broadcast or cable network that reports news and information.
(f) Before this law can apply, the witness must get a written notice from either side’s lawyer saying they have been identified as a possible witness and explaining their duties and possible penalties.
Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP to talk with a Southern Illinois criminal defense lawyer.
