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New York statute

N.Y. Penal Law § 215.13 — Tampering with a witness in the first degree

Current through 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)

Part of Article 215: Other Offenses Relating to Judicial and Other Proceedings, New York Penal Law.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 215.13

Statutory text current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17). This publication reproduces the text of the Consolidated Laws of New York as provided by the New York State Senate's Open Legislation service (Legislative Bill Drafting Commission statutory text); it is not the official statutes of the State of New York.

N.Y. Penal Law § 215.13Primary source, current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)
215.13 Tampering with a witness in the first degree. A person is guilty of tampering with a witness in the first degree when: 1. He intentionally causes serious physical injury to a person for the purpose of obstructing, delaying, preventing or impeding the giving of testimony in a criminal proceeding by such person or another person or for the purpose of compelling such person or another person to swear falsely; or 2. He intentionally causes serious physical injury to a person on account of such person or another person having testified in a criminal proceeding. Tampering with a witness in the first degree is a class B felony.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

What class of felony is tampering with a witness in the first degree in New York?

Tampering with a witness in the first degree is a Class B Felony in New York under N.Y. Penal Law § 215.13.

Which New York statute covers tampering with a witness in the first degree?

Tampering with a witness in the first degree is governed by N.Y. Penal Law § 215.13 (Tampering with a witness in the first degree).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.