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Amending Title 10 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Individual Conduct and Activity," by adding provisions prohibiting the intimidation of witnesses and victims of crimes, providing fines for violations, and requiring that all such fines be paid into a special fund to be used for witness relocation assistance, all under certain terms and conditions.
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THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Title 10 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
TITLE 10. REGULATION OF INDIVIDUAL CONDUCT AND ACTIVITY
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CHAPTER 10-1900. WITNESS INTIMIDATION.
§10-1901. Definitions.
(1) Victim. Any person against whom any crime as defined under the laws of this State or of any other state or of the United States is being or has been perpetrated or attempted.
(2) Witness. Any person having knowledge of the existence or nonexistence of facts or information relating to any crime, including but not limited to those who have reported facts or information to any law enforcement officer, prosecuting official, attorney representing a criminal defendant or judge, those who have been served with a subpoena issued under the authority of this State or any other state or of the United States, and those who have given written or oral testimony in any criminal matter; or who would be believed by any reasonable person to be an individual described in this definition.
§10-1902. Intimidation of witnesses or victims prohibited.
(1) No person shall, with the intent to or with the knowledge that his conduct will obstruct, impede, impair, prevent or interfere with the administration of criminal justice, intimidate or attempt to intimidate any witness or victim to:
(a) Refrain from informing or reporting to any law enforcement officer, prosecuting official or judge concerning any information, document or thing relating to the commission of a crime;
(b) Give any false or misleading information or testimony rel...
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