Alaska Statutes
Alaska Stat. § 11.56.610 (2026)
Tampering with physical evidence
✓ current as of July 2026
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Sec. 11.56.610. Tampering with physical evidence.
(a) A person commits the crime of tampering with physical evidence if the person
(1) destroys, mutilates, alters, suppresses, conceals, or removes physical evidence with intent to impair its verity or availability in an official proceeding or a criminal investigation;
(2) makes, presents, or uses physical evidence, knowing it to be false, with intent to mislead a juror who is engaged in an official proceeding or a public servant who is engaged in an official proceeding or a criminal investigation;
(3) prevents the production of physical evidence in an official proceeding or a criminal investigation by the use of force, threat, or deception against anyone; or
(4) does any act described by (1), (2), or (3) of this subsection with intent to prevent the institution of an official proceeding.
(b) Tampering with physical evidence is a class C felony.
(a) A person commits the crime of tampering with physical evidence if the person
(1) destroys, mutilates, alters, suppresses, conceals, or removes physical evidence with intent to impair its verity or availability in an official proceeding or a criminal investigation;
(2) makes, presents, or uses physical evidence, knowing it to be false, with intent to mislead a juror who is engaged in an official proceeding or a public servant who is engaged in an official proceeding or a criminal investigation;
(3) prevents the production of physical evidence in an official proceeding or a criminal investigation by the use of force, threat, or deception against anyone; or
(4) does any act described by (1), (2), or (3) of this subsection with intent to prevent the institution of an official proceeding.
(b) Tampering with physical evidence is a class C felony.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 59
cases (7 in the last 5 years), 1982–2026 · leading case: State v. Carpenter, 171 P.3d 41 (Alaska 2007).
Vigue v. State, 987 P.2d 204 (Alaska Ct. App. 1999). “34 The legislative commentary to AS 11.56.610 does not define any of these terms.”
State v. Carpenter, 171 P.3d 41 (Alaska 2007). “[104] AS 11.56.610; AS 12.55.035(c)(1)(A). [105] We have contemplated, without so ruling, the possibility of a punitive damages award for a spoliation claim even if no compensatory damages were awarded.”
State of Tennessee v. Ledarren S. Hawkins, 406 S.W.3d 121 (Tenn. 2013). “Code § 13A-10-129 (LexisNexis 2010); Alaska, Alaska Stat. § 11.56.610 (2010); Arizona, Ariz.”
Williamson v. State, 692 P.2d 965 (Alaska Ct. App. 1984). “He was also convicted of both counts of tampering with physical evidence. Superior Court Judge J.”
Jensen v. State, 667 P.2d 188 (Alaska Ct. App. 1983). “The state reasons that it is analogous to AS 11.56.610 which prohibits tampering with physical evidence and punishes anyone who conceals physical evidence with intent to *190 impair its availability in an official proceeding or criminal investigation.”
Smith v. State, 948 P.2d 473 (Alaska 1997). “[2] See AS 11.56.610 (tampering with physical evidence); AS 11.”
State v. Jones, 706 P.2d 317 (Alaska 1985). “010, and tampering with physical evidence, AS 11.56.610(a)(4). On appeal, he contended that the police obtained the evidence against him by an illegal search and seizure in violation of his rights under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I,…”
Anderson v. State, 123 P.3d 1110 (Alaska Ct. App. 2005). “The pertinent portion of the evidence tampering statute, AS 11.56.610(a)(1), defines this crime as “suppress[ing], concealing], or removing] physical evidence with intent to impair its verity or availability”.”
Steven Michael Hinshaw v. State of Alaska, 515 P.3d 129 (Alaska Ct. App. 2022). “16 AS 11.56.610(a)(1). – 13 – 2729 included offense of manslaughter.”
State v. Forbes, 918 S.W.2d 431 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1995). “§ 45-7-207 (1993); 18 Pa.Cons.Stat.Ann. § 4910 (Supp.1995); Tex.”
Carlson v. State, 128 P.3d 197 (Alaska Ct. App. 2006). “48 Given the record in Carlson's case, and given Judge Hopwood's findings, we can not say that a composite sentence of 47 years to serve is clearly mistaken.”
Sosa v. State, 4 P.3d 951 (Alaska 2000). “AS 11.56.610(a)(3) provides that "A person commits the crime of tampering with physical evidence if the person .”
— Alaska Stat. § 11.56.610(2) — 1 case
State v. Huggins, 659 P.2d 613 (Alaska Ct. App. 1982).
— Alaska Stat. § 11.56.610(a) — 4 cases
Y.J. v. State, 130 P.3d 954 (Alaska Ct. App. 2006).
Carlson v. State, 128 P.3d 197 (Alaska Ct. App. 2006). “48 Given the record in Carlson's case, and given Judge Hopwood's findings, we can not say that a composite sentence of 47 years to serve is clearly mistaken.”
Vigue v. State, 987 P.2d 204 (Alaska Ct. App. 1999). “34 The legislative commentary to AS 11.56.610 does not define any of these terms.”
YJ v. State, 130 P.3d 954 (Alaska Ct. App. 2006).
— Alaska Stat. § 11.56.610(a)(1) — 31 cases
Vigue v. State, 987 P.2d 204 (Alaska Ct. App. 1999). “34 The legislative commentary to AS 11.56.610 does not define any of these terms.”
State v. Carpenter, 171 P.3d 41 (Alaska 2007). “[104] AS 11.56.610; AS 12.55.035(c)(1)(A). [105] We have contemplated, without so ruling, the possibility of a punitive damages award for a spoliation claim even if no compensatory damages were awarded.”
Williamson v. State, 692 P.2d 965 (Alaska Ct. App. 1984). “He was also convicted of both counts of tampering with physical evidence. Superior Court Judge J.”
Anderson v. State, 123 P.3d 1110 (Alaska Ct. App. 2005). “The pertinent portion of the evidence tampering statute, AS 11.56.610(a)(1), defines this crime as “suppress[ing], concealing], or removing] physical evidence with intent to impair its verity or availability”.”
Steven Michael Hinshaw v. State of Alaska, 515 P.3d 129 (Alaska Ct. App. 2022). “16 AS 11.56.610(a)(1). – 13 – 2729 included offense of manslaughter.”
— Alaska Stat. § 11.56.610(a)(2) — 3 cases
Gargan v. State, 805 P.2d 998 (Alaska Ct. App. 1991).
Ghosh v. State, 400 P.3d 147 (Alaska Ct. App. 2017).
State v. Brueggeman, 24 P.3d 583 (Alaska Ct. App. 2001).
— Alaska Stat. § 11.56.610(a)(3) — 1 case
Sosa v. State, 4 P.3d 951 (Alaska 2000). “AS 11.56.610(a)(3) provides that "A person commits the crime of tampering with physical evidence if the person .”
— Alaska Stat. § 11.56.610(a)(4) — 3 cases
State v. Jones, 706 P.2d 317 (Alaska 1985). “010, and tampering with physical evidence, AS 11.56.610(a)(4). On appeal, he contended that the police obtained the evidence against him by an illegal search and seizure in violation of his rights under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I,…”
Williamson v. State, 692 P.2d 965 (Alaska Ct. App. 1984). “He was also convicted of both counts of tampering with physical evidence. Superior Court Judge J.”
Jones v. State, 681 P.2d 364 (Alaska Ct. App. 1984).
— Alaska Stat. § 11.56.610(b) — 6 cases
Haag v. State, 117 P.3d 775 (Alaska Ct. App. 2005).
Carlson v. State, 128 P.3d 197 (Alaska Ct. App. 2006). “48 Given the record in Carlson's case, and given Judge Hopwood's findings, we can not say that a composite sentence of 47 years to serve is clearly mistaken.”
Vigue v. State, 987 P.2d 204 (Alaska Ct. App. 1999). “34 The legislative commentary to AS 11.56.610 does not define any of these terms.”
Brown v. State, 12 P.3d 201 (Alaska Ct. App. 2000).
Jensen v. State, 667 P.2d 188 (Alaska Ct. App. 1983). “The state reasons that it is analogous to AS 11.56.610 which prohibits tampering with physical evidence and punishes anyone who conceals physical evidence with intent to *190 impair its availability in an official proceeding or criminal investigation.”
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