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Victim And Witness Intimidation, Elsa Y. Chen

Political Science

Victim or witness intimidation is the practice of threatening, harming, or otherwise instilling fear in a victim of, or witness to, a crime, in an effort to prevent him or her from reporting a crime or testifying in court. It may also be used to convince a victim or witness to recant testimony that has already been made. The intimidation may involve physical violence, explicit threats of physical violence, implicit threats, and/or property damage. Threats may be made by the defendant or by his or her friends, family, fellow gang members, or other associates. Most victim and witness intimidation takes …