Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 4951 (2026)

Definitions.

✓ current as of May 2026

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SUBCHAPTER B

VICTIM AND WITNESS INTIMIDATION

Sec.

4951. Definitions.

4952. Intimidation of witnesses or victims.

4953. Retaliation against witness, victim or party.

4953.1. Retaliation against prosecutor or judicial official.

4954. Protective orders.

4954.1. Notice on protective order.

4955. Violation of orders.

4956. Pretrial release.

4957. Protection of employment of crime victims, family members of victims and witnesses.

4958. Intimidation, retaliation or obstruction in child abuse cases.

Enactment. Subchapter B was added December 4, 1980, P.L.1097, No.187, effective in 60 days.

Cross References. Subchapter B is referred to in sections 3016, 3502 of this title; section 3103 of Title 23 (Domestic Relations); section 9774.1 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure); section 6101 of Title 61 (Prisons and Parole).

§ 4951. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:

"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.

"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.

Cross References. Section 4951 is referred to in section 8127 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure).

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 4 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2015–2025 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Gakhal, 48 Pa. D. & C.5th 425 (2015).

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Commonwealth v. Gakhal, 48 Pa. D. & C.5th 425 (2015). · cites it 2× “” 18 Pa.C.S.§ 4951. A “Witness” is defined as “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…”

Com. v. Stine, M. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2018). “18 Pa.C.S. § 4951. We discern nothing ambiguous in the wording of this statute.”

Commonwealth v. Nevels III, C., Aplt. (Pa. 2020). “18 Pa.C.S. §4951. As can be seen from the above, for purposes of Subchapter 49(B), the terms “victim” and “witness” are to be understood within the context of criminal proceedings, “unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.”

Ogilvie v. Summa Global Educ. (E.D. Pa. 2025). “See also 18 Pa. C.S. § 4951. We have no 6 Plaintiff provides an incorrect citation to the statute that they allege is implicated but the wording and phrasing mirrors the statute this Court cites.”

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