Tampering with a Witness
17-A M.R.S. § 454 — pressing a witness to lie or stay silent, a Class C crime
Believing an official proceeding or criminal investigation is pending or coming, inducing or trying to induce a witness or informant to testify falsely or withhold evidence, or using force, intimidation or payment to keep them from testifying or attending, is tampering with a witness, a Class C crime. Taking payment to do those things is the same crime.
Who handles this in Maine: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Maine directory.
Doing the same to a victim is tampering with a victim, a Class B crime. Contacting a juror to influence the juror is a Class C crime, and a Class B crime in a murder or Class A case.
Sources for this section (1)
- 17-A M.R.S. § 454 — Tampering with a witness, informant, juror or victim
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Maine attorney.