How HB 5510 changes current law

Compared against the W. Va. Code as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends West Virginia law to modify the offenses of intimidation and retaliation against public officials, employees, jurors, and witnesses by removing the requirement for predicate behavior.

• §61-5-27

  with the intent to: (1) Impede or obstruct a public official or employee from performing his or her official duties; (2) Impede or obstruct a juror or witness from performing his or her official duties in an official proceeding; (3) Influence, delay, or prevent the testimony of any person in an official proceeding; or (4) Cause or induce a person to: (A) Withhold testimony, or withhold a record, document or other object from an official proceeding; (B) Alter, destroy, mutilate, or conceal a record, document, or other object impairing its integrity or availability for use in an official proceeding; (C) Evade an official proceeding summoning a person to appear as a witness or produce a record, document, or other object for an official proceeding; or (D) Be absent from an official proceeding to which such person has been summoned. → with the intent to: (1) Intimidate or influence any public official or employee in the performance of their official duties; (2) Intimidate or influence any juror or witness in an official proceeding; or (3) Retaliate against any juror or witness.

  The amendment simplifies the intent required for offenses of intimidation and retaliation by focusing on the act of intimidation rather than specific predicate behaviors.

• §61-5-27

  or to threaten or to attempt to do so

  The bill removes the language regarding threats or attempts, broadening the scope of prohibited actions.