Witness Intimidation And Perverting The Course Of Justice

Legal proceedings are daunting, and the experience becomes even more stressful when allegations of perverting the course of justice are involved. This offence attracts serious penalties, in many cases imprisonment, so it is important that you get the right kind of advice at the earliest stage possible.

Spartans Law will provide a well-prepared, strong defence to any allegations of perverting the court of justice or witness intimidation. We skilfully apply our extensive experience in criminal defence cases to ensure you achieve the best outcome possible. Contact us for advice and representation today.

The Law on Perverting the Course of Justice and Witness Intimidation in England and Wales

The first thing to know is that witness intimidation and perverting the course of justice are not necessarily separate offences. Witness intimidation is one of a number of acts that could lead to a charge of perverting the course of justice, although there is also a standalone statutory offence of intimidating witnesses in criminal proceedings (section 51 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994).

Intimidating witnesses in criminal proceedings

There are two offences under section 51 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 which relate to intimidating witnesses. The first, under section 51(1), is the offence of intimidating a witness or juror. This offence involves:

Acting in a way which intimidates (and is intended to intimidate) another person in the knowledge or belief that this person is taking part or potentially taking part in an investigation or proceedings for a criminal offence, whether as a witness or a juror, with the intention to pervert or otherwise interfere with the course of justice in those proceedings.

The second, under section 51(2) is harming someone who has assisted in a criminal investigation or proceedings. This includes people who have assisted the police, given evidence or acted as jurors. It is defined as:

Harming or threatening to harm another person, or causing them to fear harm, because of the role you know or believe them to have played in a criminal investigation or proceedings.

Both offences can be charged in either the Magistrates’ Court, in which case the maximum penalty will be 6 months’ imprisonment and/or a fine, or in the Crown Court, where the maximum penalty is five months’ imprisonment and/or a fine.

Perverting the course of justice

In England and Wales, perverting the course of justice is a common law offence. This means that there is no specific law that sets down everything you need to know about the offence, and instead, it has been developed over time through many court cases. The components of the offence are:

A person performs an act or a series of acts that pervert or are likely to pervert the course of justice. That person has the intention to pervert the course of justice by doing so.

Examples of perverting the court of justice include:

• making a deliberately false statement to the court;
• tampering with evidence;
• making false allegations; and
• Intimidating witnesses.

 

Advice on Witness Intimidation and Perverting the Court of Justice in England and Wales

If you have been charged with perverting the court of justice, please contact us for expert advice without delay. Our high caliber criminal lawyers will assess the evidence thoroughly and identify any possible defences, including where false information was given accidentally or under duress.

With us, you can be certain that the complex legal issues involved in allegations of this nature will be navigated smoothly. We will support you and answer any questions you or your loved ones may have in a clear, compassionate way.

If cost is a concern, we can help you apply for Legal Aid. Money does not have to be a barrier to getting the representation you deserve.

Length of Sentence	Registration Period For Adult	Registration Period for Under 18
30 Months imprisonment or more	Indefinitely	Indefinitely
6 months to 30 months imprisonment	10 years	5 years
Less than 6 months imprisonment or Community Order	7 years	3½ Years
Police Caution	2 years	1 year

Failing to comply with the notification requirements is an either way offence. This means that it can be dealt with by either the Magistrates Court or the Crown Court. The maximum sentence is 5 years imprisonment at the Crown Court. In addition to this, there is a risk that an offender could be recalled to prison if the Home Office believes the offender is in breach of their licence conditions.

If you are accused of any sexual offence there is a very real danger of receiving a prison sentence, and your entire life being damaged by the allegation. It is vital that you are represented by someone that you can trust, and who you are confident will do everything in their professional ability to put forward your case in a proper and appropriate manner to ensure that you get the best outcome possible in your circumstances. Contact us now for more information.