# Criminal Law (GCR)

## Title 9. Crimes Against Public Administration

### Subtitle 3. Obstructing Justice

#### Section 9-302

(a) A person may not harm another, threaten to harm another, or damage or destroy property with the intent to:

  (1) influence a victim or witness to testify falsely or withhold testimony; or

  (2) induce a victim or witness:

    (i) to avoid the service of a subpoena or summons to testify;

    (ii) to be absent from an official proceeding to which the victim or witness has been subpoenaed or summoned; or

    (iii) not to report the existence of facts relating to a crime or delinquent act.

(b) A person may not solicit another person to harm another, threaten to harm another, or damage or destroy property with the intent to:

  (1) influence a victim or witness to testify falsely or withhold testimony; or

  (2) induce a victim or witness:

    (i) to avoid the service of a subpoena or summons to testify;

    (ii) to be absent from an official proceeding to which the victim or witness has been subpoenaed or summoned; or

    (iii) not to report the existence of facts relating to a crime or delinquent act.

(c)

  (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both.

  (2) If the testimony, subpoena, official proceeding, or report involving the victim or witness relates to a felonious violation of Title 5 of this article or the commission of a crime of violence as defined in Sec. 14-101 of this article, or a conspiracy or solicitation to commit such a crime, a person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 20 years.

(d) A sentence imposed under this section may be separate from and consecutive to or concurrent with a sentence for any crime based on the act establishing the violation of this section.

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Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)