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S.B. 63 Enrolled
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill amends witness tampering provisions by creating the offense of retaliation
against a witness, victim, or informant.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
. moves retaliation provisions from the witness tampering offense into a new section
and provides elements of the offense of retaliation against a witness, victim, or
informant;
. provides that the retaliation offense is a third degree felony; and
. provides that the retaliation offense does not merge with other offenses.
Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
76-3-203.5, as last amended by Chapter 214, Laws of Utah 2000
76-8-306, as last amended by Chapter 179, Laws of Utah 2003
76-8-508, as last amended by Chapter 1, Laws of Utah 2000
76-10-1602, as last amended by Chapters 26 and 79, Laws of Utah 2003
77-23a-8, as last amended by Chapter 166, Laws of Utah 2002
ENACTS:
76-8-508.3, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 76-3-203.5 is amended to read:
76-3-203.5. Habitual violent offender -- Definition -- Procedure -- Penalty.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "Felony" means any offense against a criminal statute of the state, any other state, the
United States, or any district, possession, or territory of the United States for which the maximum
punishment the offender may be subjected to exceeds one year in prison.
(b) "Habitual violent offender" means a person convicted within the state of any violent
felony and who, on at least two previous occasions has been convicted of a violent felony and
committed to either prison in Utah or an equivalent correctional institution of another state or of
the United States either at initial sentencing or after revocation of probation.
(c) (i) "Violent felony" means any of the following offenses, or any attempt, solicitation,
or conspiracy to commit any of these offenses punishable as a felony:
(A) aggravated arson, arson, knowingly causing a catastrophe, and criminal mischief
under Title 76, Chapter 6, Part 1, Property Destruction;
(B) aggravated assault under Title 76, Chapter 5, Part 1, Assault and Related Offenses;
(C) criminal homicide offenses under Title 76, Chapter 5, Part 2, Criminal Homicide;
(D) aggravated kidnapping and kidnapping under Title 76, Chapter 5, Part 3, Kidnaping;
(E) rape, Section 76-5-402 ;
(F) rape of a child, Section 76-5-402.1 ;
(G) object rape, Section 76-5-402.2 ;
(H) object rape of a child, Section 76-5-402.3 ;
(I) forcible sodomy, Section 76-5-403 ;
(J) sodomy on a child, Section 76-5-403.1 ;
(K) forcible sexual abuse, Section 76-5-404 ;
(L) aggravated sexual abuse of a child and sexual abuse of a child, Section 76-5-404.1 ;
(M) aggravated sexual assault, Section 76-5-405 ;
(N) sexual exploitation of a minor, Section 76-5a-3 ;
(O) aggravated burglary and burglary of a dwelling under Title 76, Chapter 6, Part 2,
Burglary and Criminal Trespass;
(P) aggravated robbery and robbery under Title 76, Chapter 6, Part 3, Robbery;
(Q) theft by extortion under Subsection 76-6-406 (2)(a) or (b);
(R) tampering with a witness under Subsection 76-8-508 [
(S) retaliation against a witness, victim, or informant under Section 76-8-508.3 ;
[
[
threat or by use of force theft by extortion has been committed pursuant to Subsections
76-6-406 (2)(a), (b), and (i);
[
explosives or flammable materials under Section 76-8-715 ;
[
Subsections 76-10-306 (3) through (6);
[
76-10-307 ;
[
person under Section 76-10-503 ;
[
[
[
[
(ii) any felony offense against a criminal statute of any other state, the United States, or
any district, possession, or territory of the United States which would constitute a violent felony
as defined in this Subsection (1) if committed in this state.
(2) If a person is convicted in this state of a violent felony by plea or by verdict and the
trier of fact determines beyond a reasonable doubt that the person is a habitual violent offender
under this section, the penalty for a:
(a) third degree felony is as if the conviction were for a first degree felony;
(b) second degree felony is as if the conviction were for a first degree felony; or
(c) first degree felony remains the penalty for a first degree penalty except:
(i) the convicted person is not eligible for probation; and
(ii) the Board of Pardons and Parole shall consider that the convicted person is a habitual
violent offender as an aggravating factor to determine the length of incarceration.
(3) (a) In all cases, notice that the prosecution intends to seek punishment as a habitual
violent offender under this section shall be provided in writing and shall be served upon the
defendant or his attorney not later than ten days prior to trial. Notice shall include the case
number, court, and date of conviction or commitment of any case relied upon by the prosecution.
(b) (i) The defendant shall serve notice in writing upon the prosecutor if the defendant
intends to deny that:
(A) the defendant is the person who was convicted or committed;
(B) the defendant was represented by counsel or had waived counsel; or
(C) the defendant's plea was understandingly or voluntarily entered.
(ii) The notice of denial shall be served not later than five days prior to trial and shall state
in detail the defendant's contention regarding the previous conviction and commitment.
(4) (a) If the defendant enters a denial under Subsection (3)(b) and if the case is tried to a
jury, the jury may not be told until after it returns its verdict on the underlying felony charge, of
the:
(i) defendant's previous convictions for violent felonies, except as otherwise provided in
the Utah Rules of Evidence; or
(ii) allegation against the defendant of being a habitual violent offender.
(b) If the jury's verdict is guilty, the defendant shall be tried regarding the allegation of
being an habitual violent offender by the same jury, if practicable, unless the defendant waives the
jury, in which case the allegation shall be tried immediately to the court.
(c) (i) Prior to or at the time of sentencing the trier of fact shall determine if this section
applies.
(ii) The trier of fact shall consider any evidence presented at trial and the prosecution and
the defendant shall be afforded an opportunity to present any necessary additional evidence.
(iii) Prior to sentencing under this section, the trier of fact shall determine whether this
section is applicable beyond a reasonable doubt.
(d) If any previous conviction and commitment is based upon a plea of guilty or no
contest, there is a rebuttable presumption that the conviction and commitment were regular and
lawful in all respects if the conviction and commitment occurred after January 1, 1970. If the
conviction and commitment occurred prior to January 1, 1970, the burden is on the prosecution
to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant was then represented by
counsel or had lawfully waived his right to have counsel present, and that his plea was
understandingly and voluntarily entered.
(e) If the trier of fact finds this section applicable, the court shall enter that specific
finding on the record and shall indicate in the order of judgment and commitment that the
defendant has been found by the trier of fact to be a habitual violent offender and is sentenced
under this section.
(5) The habitual violent offender provisions of this section are an element of the offense,
and proof of a defendant's conduct as a habitual violent offender is necessary at a preliminary
hearing or at trial.
(6) (a) The sentencing enhancement provisions of Sections 76-3-407 and 76-3-408 apply
to a felony conviction defined in Title 76, Chapter 5, Part 4, Sexual Offenses, and supersede the
provisions of this section.
(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (6)(a):
(i) the convictions under Sections 76-5-404 and 76-5a-3 are governed by the
enhancement provisions of this section; and
(ii) the "violent felony" offense defined in Subsection (1)(c) shall include any felony sexual
offense violation of Title 76, Chapter 5, Part 4, Sexual Offenses, to determine if the convicted
person is a habitual violent offender.
Section 2. Section 76-8-306 is amended to read:
76-8-306. Obstruction of justice -- Elements -- Penalties -- Exceptions.
(1) An actor commits obstruction of justice if the actor, with intent to hinder, delay, or
prevent the investigation, apprehension, prosecution, conviction, or punishment of any person
regarding conduct that constitutes a criminal offense:
(a) provides any person with a weapon;
(b) prevents by force, intimidation, or deception, any person from performing any act that
might aid in the discovery, apprehension, prosecution, conviction, or punishment of any person;
(c) alters, destroys, conceals, or removes any item or other thing;
(d) makes, presents, or uses any item or thing known by the actor to be false;
(e) harbors or conceals a person;
(f) provides a person with transportation, disguise, or other means of avoiding discovery
or apprehension;
(g) warns any person of impending discovery or apprehension;
(h) conceals information that is not privileged and that concerns the offense, after a judge
or magistrate has ordered the actor to provide the information; or
(i) provides false information regarding a suspect, a witness, the conduct constituting an
offense, or any other material aspect of the investigation.
(2) (a) As used in this section, "conduct that constitutes a criminal offense" means
conduct that would be punishable as a crime and is separate from a violation of this section, and
includes:
(i) any violation of a criminal statute or ordinance of this state, its political subdivisions,
any other state, or any district, possession, or territory of the United States; and
(ii) conduct committed by a juvenile which would be a crime if committed by an adult.
(b) A violation of a criminal statute that is committed in another state, or any district,
possession, or territory of the United States, is a:
(i) capital felony if the penalty provided includes death or life imprisonment without
parole;
(ii) a first degree felony if the penalty provided includes life imprisonment with parole or a
maximum term of imprisonment exceeding 15 years;
(iii) a second degree felony if the penalty provided exceeds five years;
(iv) a third degree felony if the penalty provided includes imprisonment for any period
exceeding one year; and
(v) a misdemeanor if the penalty provided includes imprisonment for any period of one
year or less.
(3) The penalties for obstruction of justice are:
(a) a second degree felony if the conduct which constitutes an offense would be a capital
felony or first degree felony;
(b) a third degree felony if:
(i) the conduct that constitutes an offense would be a second or third degree felony and
the actor violates Subsection (1)(b), (c), (d), (e), or (f);
(ii) the conduct that constitutes an offense would be any offense other than a capital or
first degree felony and the actor violates Subsection (1)(a); or
(iii) the obstruction of justice is presented or committed before a court of law; or
(c) a class A misdemeanor for any violation of this section that is not enumerated under
Subsection (3)(a) or (b).
(4) It is not a defense that the actor was unaware of the level of penalty for the conduct
constituting an offense.
(5) Subsection (1)(e) does not apply to harboring a youth offender, which is governed by
Section 62A-7-106 .
(6) Subsection (1)(b) does not apply to:
(a) tampering with a juror, which is governed by Section 76-8-508.5 ;
(b) influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a judge or member of the Board of
Pardons and Parole, which is governed by Section [
(c) tampering with a witness or soliciting or receiving a bribe, which is governed by
Section 76-8-508 ; [
(d) retaliation against a witness, victim, or informant, which is governed by Section
76-8-508.3 ; or
[
Section 76-8-509 .
(7) Notwithstanding Subsection (1), (2), or (3), an actor commits a third degree felony if
the actor harbors or conceals an offender who has:
(a) absconded from a facility or from supervision as those offenses are defined in Section
76-8-309.5 ; or
(b) escaped from official custody as defined in Section 76-8-309 .
Section 3. Section 76-8-508 is amended to read:
76-8-508. Tampering with witness -- Receiving or soliciting a bribe.
(1) A person is guilty of [
believing that an official proceeding or investigation is pending or about to be instituted, or with
the intent to prevent an official proceeding or investigation, he attempts to induce or otherwise
cause [
(a) testify or inform falsely;
(b) withhold any testimony, information, document, or item;
(c) elude legal process summoning him to provide evidence; or
(d) absent himself from any proceeding or investigation to which he has been summoned.
(2) A person is guilty of [
witness if he[
doing any of the acts specified under Subsection (1)[
[
(3) The offense of tampering with a witness or soliciting or receiving a bribe under this
section does not merge with any other substantive offense committed in the course of committing
any offense under this section.
Section 4. Section 76-8-508.3 is enacted to read:
76-8-508.3. Retaliation against a witness, victim, or informant.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) A person is "closely associated" with a witness, victim, or informant if the person is a
member of the witness', victim's, or informant's family, has a close personal or business
relationship with the witness or victim, or resides in the same household with the witness, victim,
or informant.
(b) "Harm" means physical, emotional, or economic injury or damage to a person or to
his property, reputation, or business interests.
(2) A person is guilty of the third degree felony of retaliation against a witness, victim, or
informant if, believing that an official proceeding or investigation is pending, is about to be
instituted, or has been concluded, he:
(a) (i) makes a threat of harm; or
(ii) causes harm; and
(b) directs the threat or action:
(i) against a witness or an informant regarding any official proceeding, a victim of any
crime, or any person closely associated with a witness, victim, or informant; and
(ii) as retaliation or retribution against the witness, victim, or informant.
(3) This section does not prohibit any person from seeking any legal redress to which the
person is otherwise entitled.
(4) The offense of retaliation against a witness, victim, or informant under this section
does not merge with any other substantive offense committed in the course of committing any
offense under this section.
Section 5. Section 76-10-1602 is amended to read:
76-10-1602. Definitions.
As used in this part:
(1) "Enterprise" means any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation,
business trust, association, or other legal entity, and any union or group of individuals associated
in fact although not a legal entity, and includes illicit as well as licit entities.
(2) "Pattern of unlawful activity" means engaging in conduct which constitutes the
commission of at least three episodes of unlawful activity, which episodes are not isolated, but
have the same or similar purposes, results, participants, victims, or methods of commission, or
otherwise are interrelated by distinguishing characteristics. Taken together, the episodes shall
demonstrate continuing unlawful conduct and be related either to each other or to the enterprise.
At least one of the episodes comprising a pattern of unlawful activity shall have occurred after
July 31, 1981. The most recent act constituting part of a pattern of unlawful activity as defined by
this part shall have occurred within five years of the commission of the next preceding act alleged
as part of the pattern.
(3) "Person" includes any individual or entity capable of holding a legal or beneficial
interest in property, including state, county, and local governmental entities.
(4) "Unlawful activity" means to directly engage in conduct or to solicit, request,
command, encourage, or intentionally aid another person to engage in conduct which would
constitute any offense described by the following crimes or categories of crimes, or to attempt or
conspire to engage in an act which would constitute any of those offenses, regardless of whether
the act is in fact charged or indicted by any authority or is classified as a misdemeanor or a felony:
(a) any act prohibited by the criminal provisions of Title 13, Chapter 10, Unauthorized
Recording Practices Act;
(b) any act prohibited by the criminal provisions of Title 19, Environmental Quality Code,
Sections 19-1-101 through 19-7-109 ;
(c) taking, destroying, or possessing wildlife or parts of wildlife for the primary purpose
of sale, trade, or other pecuniary gain, in violation of Title 23, Chapter 13, Wildlife Resources
Code of Utah, or Section 23-20-4 ;
(d) false claims for medical benefits, kickbacks, and any other act prohibited by False
Claims Act, Sections 26-20-1 through 26-20-12 ;
(e) any act prohibited by the criminal provisions of Title 32A, Chapter 12, Criminal
Offenses;
(f) any act prohibited by the criminal provisions of Title 57, Chapter 11, Utah Uniform
Land Sales Practices Act;
(g) any act prohibited by the criminal provisions of Title 58, Chapter 37, Utah Controlled
Substances Act, or Title 58, Chapter 37b, Imitation Controlled Substances Act, Title 58, Chapter
37c, Utah Controlled Substance Precursor Act, or Title 58, Chapter 37d, Clandestine Drug Lab
Act;
(h) any act prohibited by the criminal provisions of Title 61, Chapter 1, Utah Uniform
Securities Act;
(i) any act prohibited by the criminal provisions of Title 63, Chapter 56, Utah
Procurement Code;
(j) assault or aggravated assault, Sections 76-5-102 and 76-5-103 ;
(k) a terroristic threat, Section 76-5-107 ;
(l) criminal homicide, Sections 76-5-201 , 76-5-202 , and 76-5-203 ;
(m) kidnapping or aggravated kidnapping, Sections 76-5-301 and 76-5-302 ;
(n) sexual exploitation of a minor, Section 76-5a-3 ;
(o) arson or aggravated arson, Sections 76-6-102 and 76-6-103 ;
(p) causing a catastrophe, Section 76-6-105 ;
(q) burglary or aggravated burglary, Sections 76-6-202 and 76-6-203 ;
(r) burglary of a vehicle, Section 76-6-204 ;
(s) manufacture or possession of an instrument for burglary or theft, Section 76-6-205 ;
(t) robbery or aggravated robbery, Sections 76-6-301 and 76-6-302 ;
(u) theft, Section 76-6-404 ;
(v) theft by deception, Section 76-6-405 ;
(w) theft by extortion, Section 76-6-406 ;
(x) receiving stolen property, Section 76-6-408 ;
(y) theft of services, Section 76-6-409 ;
(z) forgery, Section 76-6-501 ;
(aa) fraudulent use of a credit card, Sections 76-6-506.1 , 76-6-506.2 , and 76-6-506.4 ;
(bb) deceptive business practices, Section 76-6-507 ;
(cc) bribery or receiving bribe by person in the business of selection, appraisal, or
criticism of goods, Section 76-6-508 ;
(dd) bribery of a labor official, Section 76-6-509 ;
(ee) defrauding creditors, Section 76-6-511 ;
(ff) acceptance of deposit by insolvent financial institution, Section 76-6-512 ;
(gg) unlawful dealing with property by fiduciary, Section 76-6-513 ;
(hh) bribery or threat to influence contest, Section 76-6-514 ;
(ii) making a false credit report, Section 76-6-517 ;
(jj) criminal simulation, Section 76-6-518 ;
(kk) criminal usury, Section 76-6-520 ;
(ll) false or fraudulent insurance claim, Section 76-6-521 ;
(mm) computer crimes, Section 76-6-703 ;
(nn) identity fraud, Section 76-6-1102 ;
(oo) sale of a child, Section 76-7-203 ;
(pp) bribery to influence official or political actions, Section 76-8-103 ;
(qq) threats to influence official or political action, Section 76-8-104 ;
(rr) receiving bribe or bribery by public servant, Section 76-8-105 ;
(ss) receiving bribe or bribery for endorsement of person as public servant, Section
76-8-106 ;
(tt) official misconduct, Sections 76-8-201 and 76-8-202 ;
(uu) obstruction of justice, Section 76-8-306 ;
(vv) acceptance of bribe or bribery to prevent criminal prosecution, Section 76-8-308 ;
(ww) false or inconsistent material statements, Section 76-8-502 ;
(xx) false or inconsistent statements, Section 76-8-503 ;
(yy) written false statements, Section 76-8-504 ;
(zz) tampering with a witness[
(aaa) retaliation against a witness, victim, or informant, [
76-8-508.3 ;
[
[
76-8-1205 ;
[
Subsection 76-9-301 (1)(f);
[
parts, Section 76-10-306 ;
[
incendiary device, Section 76-10-307 ;
[
[
[
[
76-10-1002 ;
[
Section 76-10-1003 ;
[
Section 76-10-1004 ;
[
with intent to defraud, Section 76-10-1006 ;
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
19, Money Laundering and Currency Transaction Reporting Act;
[
taxation in this state; and
[
18, Section 1961 (1)(B), (C), and (D) of the United States Code.
Section 6. Section 77-23a-8 is amended to read:
77-23a-8. Court order to authorize or approve interception -- Procedure.
(1) The attorney general of the state, any assistant attorney general specially designated
by the attorney general, any county attorney, district attorney, deputy county attorney, or deputy
district attorney specially designated by the county attorney or by the district attorney, may
authorize an application to a judge of competent jurisdiction for an order for an interception of
wire, electronic, or oral communications by any law enforcement agency of the state, the federal
government or of any political subdivision of the state that is responsible for investigating the type
of offense for which the application is made.
(2) The judge may grant the order in conformity with the required procedures when the
interception sought may provide or has provided evidence of the commission of:
(a) any act prohibited by the criminal provisions of Title 58, Chapter 37, Utah Controlled
Substances Act; Title 58, Chapter 37c, Utah Controlled Substances Precursor Act; Title 58,
Chapter 37d, Clandestine Drug Lab Act; punishable by a term of imprisonment of more than one
year;
(b) any act prohibited by the criminal provisions of the Utah Uniform Securities Act and
punishable by a term of imprisonment of more than one year, Title 61, Chapter 1;
(c) attempt, Section 76-4-101 ; conspiracy, Section 76-4-201 ; solicitation, Section
76-4-203 ; to commit any of the offenses enumerated above so long as the attempt, conspiracy or
solicitation offense is punishable by a term of imprisonment of more than one year;
(d) terroristic threat offense punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of more than
one year, Section 76-5-107 ;
(e) aggravated murder, Section 76-5-202 ; murder, Section 76-5-203 ; manslaughter,
Section 76-5-205 ;
(f) kidnapping, Section 76-5-301 ; child kidnapping, Section 76-5-301.1 ; aggravated
kidnapping, Section 76-5-302 ;
(g) arson, Section 76-6-102 ; aggravated arson, Section 76-6-103 ;
(h) burglary, Section 76-6-202 ; aggravated burglary, Section 76-6-203 ;
(i) robbery, Section 76-6-301 ; aggravated robbery, Section 76-6-302 ;
(j) theft, Section 76-6-404 ; theft by deception, Section 76-6-405 ; theft by extortion,
Section 76-6-406 ; when the theft, theft by deception or theft by extortion, is punishable by a
maximum term of imprisonment of more than one year;
(k) receiving stolen property offense punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of
more than one year, Section 76-6-408 ;
(l) financial card transaction offenses punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of
more than one year, Section 76-6-506.1 , 76-6-506.2 , 76-6-506.3 , 76-6-506.4 , 76-6-506.5 , or
76-6-506.6 ;
(m) bribery of a labor official, Section 76-6-509 ;
(n) bribery or threat to influence a publicly exhibited contest, Section 76-6-514 ;
(o) criminal simulation offenses punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of more
than one year, Section 76-6-518 ;
(p) criminal usury, Section 76-6-520 ;
(q) false or fraudulent insurance claim offenses punishable by a maximum term of
imprisonment of more than one year, Section 76-6-521 ;
(r) violations of the Computer Crimes Act punishable by a maximum term of
imprisonment of more than one year, Section 76-6-703 ;
(s) bribery to influence official or political actions, Section 76-8-103 ;
(t) misusing public moneys, Section 76-8-402 ;
(u) tampering with a witness[
(v) retaliation against a witness, victim, or informant, [
[
[
[
[
76-8-802 ;
[
[
[
[
[
Section 76-9-101 ;
[
maximum term of imprisonment of more than one year, Section 76-9-301.1 ;
[
removal, Section 76-10-306 ;
[
mailing, Section 76-10-307 ;
[
[
[
firearm, Section 76-10-1504 ;
[
[
the definition of unlawful activity in the act, including the offenses not punishable by a maximum
term of imprisonment of more than one year when those offenses are investigated as predicates
for the offenses prohibited by the act, Section 76-10-1602 ;
[
[
[
maximum term of imprisonment of more than one year, Section 76-10-1906 .
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