New York statute

N.Y. Penal Law § 215.12 — Tampering with a witness in the second 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

Tampering with a witness in the second degree

Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 215.12

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 § 215.12Primary source, current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)

215.12 Tampering with a witness in the second degree. A person is guilty of tampering with a witness in the second degree when he: 1. Intentionally causes 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 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 second degree is a class D felony.

Official sources

Official OLLS publication (Title download)

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

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

Tampering with a witness in the second degree is a Class D Felony in New York under N.Y. Penal Law § 215.12.

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

Tampering with a witness in the second degree is governed by N.Y. Penal Law § 215.12 (Tampering with a witness in the second degree).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.