Quote:
Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor
They should itroduce legislation making it an offence to intimidate a witness of a crime with a maximum punishment of life in prison. One of the big reasons why charges don't stick to these gang members is because the victim and the community are to scared to testify. Being able to testify in court is key to our democratic process and once that has been taken away by fear we lose a lot.
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This is an offence, and I think that the maximum is 10 years. However, this is very, very difficult to prove. I think that the justice system realizes that people don't testify against known gang members because they are afraid to. However, it isn't the case where gang members are coming to a witness' house and saying "you didn't see nothin'" while giving them the throat-slash gesture. The threat is there, but it is unspoken, it is just known and therefore, nearly impossible to charge, prove or convict.