New Jersey Man Charged with Intimidating a Witness
A 23-year-old New Jersey man has been charged with intimidating a witness following an incident inside the Occupy Wall Street protest site. The Associated Press reports the man and two others were arrested for threatening a woman at the Manhattan protest. The alleged victim had filed a complaint against the suspect's friend following an October 22 assault. Officials say the three people threatened to kill the woman after her complaint resulted in the arrest of their friend. An investigation is ongoing.
Under New Jersey law, it is a crime to use intimidation or physical force to threaten someone with the intention of influencing the testimony of a witness. A person can be found guilty of intimidating a witness if:
- The victim was scheduled to be a witness;
- The suspect used force or intimidation against the witness; and
- The suspect did so knowingly with the intent to influence the testimony of the witness.
It is only natural for individuals to experience anger or frustration if they believe a friend has been wrongfully arrested. It is important, however, to remain calm and to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. The penalties for intimidating a witness are severe and could result in jail time and hefty fines.
The experienced Princeton criminal defense lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein have a long history of protecting the rights of New Jersey residents. If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges in New Jersey, please call our offices at (609) 240-0040 for a no-cost consultation and comprehensive case assessment.
