{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "215.00", "citation": "Penal Law § 215.00", "heading": "Bribing a witness", "text": ["§ 215.00 Bribing a witness.", "A person is guilty of bribing a witness when he confers, or offers or agrees to confer, any benefit upon a witness or a person about to be called as a witness in any action or proceeding upon an agreement or understanding that (a) the testimony of such witness will thereby be influenced, or (b) such witness will absent himself from, or otherwise avoid or seek to avoid appearing or testifying at, such action or proceeding.", "Bribing a witness is a class D felony."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/215.00", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "A person bribes a witness by **giving, offering, or agreeing to give any benefit** to a witness or prospective witness on the understanding that it will **influence the testimony** or cause the witness to **stay away from or avoid appearing or testifying** in the action or proceeding. ★ The offense is a **class D felony**.", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/215.00", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}