Florida Statute 914.22 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research

The 2024 Florida Statutes

Title XLVII
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND CORRECTIONS

Chapter 914
WITNESSES; CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS

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F.S. 914.22

914.22 Tampering with or harassing a witness, victim, or informant; penalties.—

(1) A person who knowingly uses intimidation or physical force, or threatens another person, or attempts to do so, or engages in misleading conduct toward another person, or offers pecuniary benefit or gain to another person, with intent to cause or induce any person to:

(a) Withhold testimony, or withhold a record, document, or other object, from an official investigation or official proceeding;

(b) Alter, destroy, mutilate, or conceal an object with intent to impair the integrity or availability of the object for use in an official investigation or official proceeding;

(c) Evade legal process summoning that person to appear as a witness, or to produce a record, document, or other object, in an official investigation or an official proceeding;

(d) Be absent from an official proceeding to which such person has been summoned by legal process;

(e) Hinder, delay, or prevent the communication to a law enforcement officer or judge of information relating to the commission or possible commission of an offense or a violation of a condition of probation, parole, or release pending a judicial proceeding; or

(f) Testify untruthfully in an official investigation or an official proceeding,

commits the crime of tampering with a witness, victim, or informant.

(2) Tampering with a witness, victim, or informant is a:

(a) Felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, where the official investigation or official proceeding affected involves the investigation or prosecution of a misdemeanor.

(b) Felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, where the official investigation or official proceeding affected involves the investigation or prosecution of a third degree felony.

(c) Felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, where the official investigation or official proceeding affected involves the investigation or prosecution of a second degree felony.

(d) Felony of the first degree, punishable by a term of years not exceeding life or as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, where the official investigation or official proceeding affected involves the investigation or prosecution of a first degree felony or a first degree felony punishable by a term of years not exceeding life.

(e) Life felony, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, where the official investigation or official proceeding affected involves the investigation or prosecution of a life or capital felony.

(f) Felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, where the offense level of the affected official investigation or official proceeding is indeterminable or where the affected official investigation or official proceeding involves a noncriminal investigation or proceeding.

(3) Whoever intentionally harasses another person and thereby hinders, delays, prevents, or dissuades any person from:

(a) Attending or testifying in an official proceeding or cooperating in an official investigation;

(b) Reporting to a law enforcement officer or judge the commission or possible commission of an offense or a violation of a condition of probation, parole, or release pending a judicial proceeding;

(d) Causing a criminal prosecution, or a parole or probation revocation proceeding, to be sought or instituted, or from assisting in such prosecution or proceeding;

or attempts to do so, commits the crime of harassing a witness, victim, or informant.

(4) Harassing a witness, victim, or informant is a:

(a) Misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, where the official investigation or official proceeding affected involves the investigation or prosecution of a misdemeanor.

(b) Felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, where the official investigation or official proceeding affected involves the investigation or prosecution of a third degree felony.

(c) Felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, where the official investigation or official proceeding affected involves the investigation or prosecution of a second degree felony.

(d) Felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, where the official investigation or official proceeding affected involves the investigation or prosecution of a first degree felony.

(e) Felony of the first degree, punishable by a term of years not exceeding life or as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, where the official investigation or official proceeding affected involves the investigation or prosecution of a felony of the first degree punishable by a term of years not exceeding life or a prosecution of a life or capital felony.

(5) For the purposes of this section:

(a) An official proceeding need not be pending or about to be instituted at the time of the offense; and

(b) The testimony or the record, document, or other object need not be admissible in evidence or free of a claim of privilege.

(6) In a prosecution for an offense under this section, no state of mind need be proved with respect to the circumstance:

(a) That the official proceeding before a judge, court, grand jury, or government agency is before a judge or court of the state, a state or local grand jury, or a state agency; or

(b) That the judge is a judge of the state or that the law enforcement officer is an officer or employee of the state or a person authorized to act for or on behalf of the state or serving the state as an adviser or consultant.

History.—s. 3, ch. 72-315; s. 44, ch. 75-298; s. 14, ch. 84-363; s. 4, ch. 88-96; s. 12, ch. 91-223; s. 225, ch. 91-224; s. 1, ch. 92-281; s. 33, ch. 2004-11; s. 19, ch. 2008-238.

Note.—Former s. 918.14.

F.S. 914.22 on Google Scholar

F.S. 914.22 on Casetext

Amendments to 914.22

Arrestable Offenses / Crimes under Fla. Stat. 914.22

Level: Degree
Misdemeanor/Felony: First/Second/Third

S914.22 1 - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - INTIMIDATE THREATEN ETC VICT WITNESS INFORMANT - F: T

S914.22 1 - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9350 - F: T

S914.22 1 - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9355 - F: T

S914.22 1 - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9351 - F: S

S914.22 1 - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9352 - F: F

S914.22 1 - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9353 - F: F

S914.22 1 - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9354 - F: L

S914.22 1a - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - TAMPER WITNESS WITHHOLD TESTIM/INFO MISD PROC - F: T

S914.22 1a - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - TAMPER WITN WITHHOLD TESTIM/INFO NONCRIM PROC - F: T

S914.22 1a - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - TAMPER WITN WITHHOLD TESTIM/INFO FEL 3RD PROC - F: S

S914.22 1a - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - TAMPER WITN WITHHOLD TESTIM/INFO FEL 2ND PROC - F: F

S914.22 1a - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - TAMPER WITN WITHHOLD TESTIM/INFO FEL 1ST PROC - F: F

S914.22 1a - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - TAMPER WITN WITHHOLD TESTIM/INFO LIFE/CAP FEL - F: L

S914.22 1b - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - TAMPER WITNESS ALTER/DESTROY OBJECT MISD PROC - F: T

S914.22 1b - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - TAMPER WITNESS ALTER/DESTROY OBJ NONCRIM PROC - F: T

S914.22 1b - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - TAMPER WITNESS ALTER/DESTROY OBJ FEL 3RD PROC - F: S

S914.22 1b - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - TAMPER WITNESS ALTER/DESTROY OBJ FEL 2ND PROC - F: F

S914.22 1b - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - TAMPER WITNESS ALTER/DESTROY OBJ FEL 1ST PROC - F: F

S914.22 1b - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - TAMPER WITN ALTER/DESTRY OBJ LIFE/CAP FEL PROC - F: L

S914.22 1c - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - TAMPER WITNESS EVADE LEGAL PROCESS MISDEMEANOR - F: T

S914.22 1c - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - TAMPER WITNES EVADE LEGAL PROCESS NONCRIM PROC - F: T

S914.22 1c - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - TAMPER WITNESS EVADE LEGAL PROCESS FELONY 3RD - F: S

S914.22 1c - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - TAMPER WITNESS EVADE LEGAL PROCESS FELONY 2ND - F: F

S914.22 1c - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - TAMPER WITNESS EVADE LEGAL PROCESS FELONY 1ST - F: F

S914.22 1c - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - TAMPER WITNES EVADE LEGAL PROCESS LIFE/CAP FEL - F: L

S914.22 1d - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - TAMPER WITNESS ABSENT OFFICIAL PROC MISDE PROC - F: T

S914.22 1d - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - TAMPER WITN ABSENT OFFICIAL PROC NONCRIM PROC - F: T

S914.22 1d - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - TAMPER WITN ABSENT OFFICIAL PROC FEL 3RD PROC - F: S

S914.22 1d - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - TAMPER WITN ABSENT OFFICIAL PROC FEL 2ND PROC - F: F

S914.22 1d - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - TAMPER WITN ABSENT OFFICIAL PROC FEL 1ST PROC - F: F

S914.22 1d - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - TAMPER WITN ABSENT OFFICIAL PROC LIFE/CAP PROC - F: L

S914.22 1e - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HINDER WITN COMMUN INFO TO LEO/JUDGE MISD PROC - F: T

S914.22 1e - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HINDER WITN COMM INFO TO LEO/JUDG NONCRIM PROC - F: T

S914.22 1e - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HINDER WITN COMM INFO TO LEO/JUDG FEL 3RD PROC - F: S

S914.22 1e - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HINDER WITN COMM INFO TO LEO/JUDG FEL 2ND PROC - F: F

S914.22 1e - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HINDER WITN COMM INFO TO LEO/JUDG FEL 1ST PROC - F: F

S914.22 1e - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HINDER WITN COMM INFO LEO/JUDGE LIFE/CAP PROC - F: L

S914.22 1f - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - WITN TESTFY UNTRUTH OFFICAL INV/PROC MISD PROC - F: T

S914.22 1f - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - WITN TEST UNTRUTH OFFIC INV/PROC NONCRIM PROC - F: T

S914.22 1f - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - WITN TEST UNTRUTH OFFIC INV/PROC FEL 3RD PROC - F: S

S914.22 1f - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - WITN TEST UNTRUTH OFFIC INV/PROC FEL 2ND PROC - F: F

S914.22 1f - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - WITN TEST UNTRUTH OFFIC INV/PROC FEL 1ST PROC - F: F

S914.22 1f - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - WITN TEST UNTRUTH OFFIC INV/PROC LIFE/CAP PROC - F: L

S914.22 2 - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITNESS VICTIM OR INFORMANT - M: F

S914.22 2a - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9356 - F: T

S914.22 2b - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9357 - F: S

S914.22 2c - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9358 - F: F

S914.22 2d - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9359 - F: F

S914.22 2e - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9360 - F: L

S914.22 2f - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9361 - F: T

S914.22 3 - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9386 - M: F

S914.22 3 - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 8387 - F: T

S914.22 3 - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9391 - F: T

S914.22 3 - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9388 - F: S

S914.22 3 - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9389 - F: F

S914.22 3 - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9390 - F: F

S914.22 3a - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITNESS ATTENDING TESTIFYING MISD PROC - M: F

S914.22 3a - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITNESS ATTENDING TESTIFY FEL 3RD PROC - F: T

S914.22 3a - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITNESS ATTENDING TESTIFY NONCRIM PROC - F: T

S914.22 3a - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITNESS ATTENDING TESTIFY FEL 2ND PROC - F: S

S914.22 3a - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITNESS ATTENDING TESTIFY FEL 1ST PROC - F: F

S914.22 3a - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITN ATTEND TESTIFY LIFE/CAP FEL PROC - F: F

S914.22 3b - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITNESS REPORT OFFENSE VIOL MISD PROC - M: F

S914.22 3b - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITN REPORT OFFENSE VIOL FEL 3RD PROC - F: T

S914.22 3b - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITN REPORT OFFENSE VIOL NONCRIM PROC - F: T

S914.22 3b - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITN REPORT OFFENSE VIOL FEL 2ND PROC - F: S

S914.22 3b - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITN REPORT OFFENSE VIOL FEL 1ST PROC - F: F

S914.22 3b - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITN REPORT OFFENSE VIOL LIFE/CAP PROC - F: F

S914.22 3c - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITNESS ARREST PERSON MISD PROC - M: F

S914.22 3c - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITNESS ARREST PERSON FEL 3RD PROC - F: T

S914.22 3c - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITNESS ARREST PERSON NONCRIM PROC - F: T

S914.22 3c - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITNESS ARREST PERSON FEL 2ND PROC - F: S

S914.22 3c - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITNESS ARREST PERSON FEL 1ST PROC - F: F

S914.22 3c - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITNESS ARREST PERSON LIFE/CAP FEL PROC - F: F

S914.22 3d - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITNESS STOP PROCEEDING MISD PROC - M: F

S914.22 3d - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITNESS STOP PROCEEDING FELONY 3RD - F: T

S914.22 3d - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITNESS STOP PROCEEDING NONCRIM PROC - F: T

S914.22 3d - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITNESS STOP PROCEEDING FELONY 2ND - F: S

S914.22 3d - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITNESS STOP PROCEEDING FELONY 1ST - F: F

S914.22 3d - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - HARASS WITNESS STOP PROCEEDING LIFE/CAP FEL - F: F

S914.22 4a - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9392 - M: F

S914.22 4b - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9393 - F: T

S914.22 4c - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9400 - F: S

S914.22 4d - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9401 - F: F

S914.22 4e - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9407 - F: F

S914.22 4f - OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9409 - F: T

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases Citing Statute 914.22

Total Results: 20

State of Florida v. Amber J. Coney

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2024-09-06

Snippet: Fla. R. App. P. 9.140(c)(1)(L)–(M). 2 See § 914.22(1), (2)(c), Fla. Stat. (2022).

AUSTIN BRYAN NABEACK v. STATE OF FLORIDA

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2023-06-28

Snippet: felony was a non- existent offense.” Under sections 914.22 and 777.04, Florida Statutes (2021), the crime

JAMES MICHAEL BRADY v. STATE OF FLORIDA

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2019-11-22

Snippet: §§ 775.087, 777.04, 782.04(2), 784.03, 790.19, 914.22, Fla. Stat. (2015). We have jurisdiction. See Fla

Joseph Williams v. State of Florida

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2019-09-25

Snippet: whether the witness-tampering statute, section 914.22(3) of the Florida Statutes, requires felony-level

JAQUAN WILLIAMS v. STATE OF FLORIDA

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2019-03-20

Snippet: the language of the statute at issue, section 914.22(1)(e), Florida Statutes (2014), which provides

Antoine E. McCloud v. State of Florida

Court: Supreme Court of Florida | Date Filed: 2018-12-20

Citation: 260 So. 3d 911

Snippet: of Florida’s witness tampering statute: section 914.22, Florida Statutes (2014). For the reasons that

In Re: Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases-Report 2018-11.

Court: Supreme Court of Florida | Date Filed: 2018-12-20

Citation: 260 So. 3d 1024

Snippet: HARASSING A [WITNESS] [VICTIM] [INFORMANT] § 914.22(3), Fla. Stat. To prove the crime of Harassing

Luis Born-Suniaga v. State of Florida

Court: Supreme Court of Florida | Date Filed: 2018-10-15

Citation: 256 So. 3d 783

Snippet: tampering with a witness in violation of section 914.22, Florida Statutes (2014), a felony, and misdemeanor

Pickett v. State

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2018-09-12

Citation: 254 So. 3d 1162

Snippet: tampering in violation of section 914.22(1) of the Florida Statutes. Section 914.22(1)(a), Florida Statutes (2015)

Felice John Veach v. State of Florida

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2018-08-30

Citation: 254 So. 3d 624

Snippet: tampering with a victim, in violation of sections 914.22 and 777.04(3), Florida Statutes (2016). The charge

Felice John Veach v. State of Florida

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2018-07-09

Snippet: tampering with a victim, in violation of sections 914.22 and 777.04(3), Florida Statutes (2016). The charge

Frazier v. State

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2018-06-28

Citation: 250 So. 3d 794

Snippet: *798in evidence or free of a claim of privilege. § 914.22(1)(e) & (5), Fla. Stat. (2014). The appellant has

JAHMAR STEWART v. STATE OF FLORIDA

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2018-06-08

Citation: 248 So. 3d 284

Snippet: offense,1 he would not 1See § 914.22(1)(a)-(f), Fla. Stat. (2014) ("(1) A person

KEVIN WILLIAMS v. STATE OF FLORIDA

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2018-05-11

Citation: 246 So. 3d 529

Snippet: again certify conflict. Section 914.22(1), Florida Statutes (2015), defines the offense

In Re: Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases-Report 2017-09.

Court: Supreme Court of Florida | Date Filed: 2018-03-08

Citation: 238 So. 3d 192

Snippet: WITH A [WITNESS] [VICTIM] [INFORMANT] § 914.22(1), Fla. Stat. To prove the crime of Tampering

RICHARD TAFFE v. STATE OF FLORIDA

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2017-12-13

Snippet: committing the offense of witness tampering. Section 914.22 provides, in pertinent part, that a person commits

McCloud v. State

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2017-08-11

Citation: 224 So. 3d 842, 2017 WL 3441270, 2017 Fla. App. LEXIS 11516

Snippet: tampering with a witness, a violation of section 914.22(l)(e), Florida Statutes (2014). Mr. McCloud contends

McClound v. State

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2017-08-11

Snippet: tampering with a witness, a violation of section 914.22(1)(e), Florida Statutes (2014). Mr. McCloud contends

State v. Born-Suniaga

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2017-05-03

Citation: 219 So. 3d 74, 2017 WL 1718845, 2017 Fla. App. LEXIS 6186

Snippet: tampering with a witness in violation of section 914.22, Florida Statutes (2014), a felony, and misdemeanor

Evans v. State

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2017-04-07

Citation: 215 So. 3d 195, 2017 Fla. App. LEXIS 4786

Snippet: witness involving a second-degree felony, see § 914.22(l)(e), (2)(e), Fla. Stat. (2014), which is inconsistent